Furious Thing 12+

About this book

From the critically acclaimed author of Before I Die comes a remarkably affecting story of a girl who burns with anger for reasons she can't understand, and the power and risk that comes with making noise. Fans of E. Lockhart, Jennifer Niven, and Gayle Foreman will find their own fury in this exceptional novel for our times.

Lexi's angry. And it's getting worse.

If only she could stop losing her temper and behave herself, her stepfather would accept her, her mom would love her like she used to, and her stepbrother would declare his crushing desire to spend the rest of his life with her. She wants these things so badly, she's determined to swallow her anger and make her family proud.But pushing fury down doesn't make it disappear. Instead, it simmers below the surface waiting to erupt . . . And there'll be fireworks when it does.

From the bestselling and award-winning author of Before I Die, You Against Me, and Unbecoming comes a remarkably affecting story that explores the myriad of ways a girl's sense of self can be whittled away, and what might happen when she fights back.

Reviews

Praise for Unbecoming:

A Stonewall Honor Book
Entertainment Weekly Must List pick
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Bookpage Best Teen Book of the Year
Shortlisted for the YA Book Prize
Shortlisted for The People's Book Prize
An iBooks Best Book of the Month pick

"[A] beautiful, funny, and heart-breaking story of family and life itself." --Bustle

* "Her prose gets right down inside human fragility, tenderness, fury, gusto, and strength -- leaving sweet, sharp images that are impossible to forget. Exceptional." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "Downham's third novel offers implicit commentary on the historical and contemporary constraints on young women's lives and their freedom to love with abandon." --Horn Book, starred review

* "Extraordinary." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "A strong choice for thoughtful readers." --School Library Journal, starred review

"Fluid, perfectly paced, and can be easily read in one sitting. This is a heartfelt book that sensitively and honestly reveals family issues, and it's one that teens won't want to miss." --Bookpage, Teen Top Pick

"This beautiful rumination on the relationships between mothers and daughters should be on every woman's reading list." --Buzzfeed