And the fact that both of them are as into music as she is just too good to be true. She has never had one friend, let alone two. Instead, she finds he seems to have a genuine interest in her and it freaks her out.

Drea doesn't expect much from him but teasing. Justin is good-looking in a generic sort of way from his name brand polo shirt to his dimples and perfect hair. She's waiting for the other shoe to drop or to be the punchline of some big joke, when she meets another new kid on the first day of school. Although she has been hurt by so-called friends all her life, she has learned to cope with loneliness by immersing herself in music and sound design.ĭrea has barely gotten out of her mom's beat up car, when she's accosted by a purple-haired fireball named Naomi, who is bubbly and funny and actually thinks that Drea is cool. She's been labeled AS = Asperger's Syndrome and ADHD = Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and prescribed a host of pills that she can't stand to take because they make her feel like a zombie. To avoid being homeless, Drea's mom decides to move from San Fransisco back to Bellingham, Washington in order to move in with Drea's grandmother, an outspoken woman who is difficult to get along with (and may have issues of her own, as does Drea's mom).ĭrea joins a growing number of memorable main characters who fall somewhere on the Autism Spectrum. This is partly because her Mom doesn't let much grass grow under her feet and is constantly moving, and partly because Drea has some 'issues.' Issues that her mom loves to discuss with anyone at any time, much to the annoyance of Drea. Sixteen-year-old Drea (don't call her Andrea) has a hard time making and keeping friends. Henry Holt and Company, due out May/ June 2010.

Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly