Lila and Hadley

About this book

Hadley is angry about a lot of things: Her mom going to jail. Having to move to another state to live with her older sister, Beth, even though they haven't spoken in five years. Leaving her friends and her school behind. And going blind.

But then Hadley meets Lila.

Lila is an abandoned dog who spends her days just quietly lying around at the local dog rescue where Beth works. She doesn't listen to directions or play with the other dogs or show any interest in people. So when Lila comes and sits by Hadley (which is hardly anything, but it's more than she's done with others), Beth thinks maybe Hadley can help Lila. She tells Hadley they'll bring Lila home as a foster dog and Hadley can teach her to follow commands, walk on a leash, and be more of a people dog so she'll be ready to be adopted.

Only working with Lila is harder than Hadley thought, and so is the mobility training she starts taking to help with her failing vision. It feels like Lila is too stubborn to train and like learning to use a cane is impossible. But unless Hadley can help Lila, she'll never be adopted into a home. If Hadley could just let go of her anger, she might be able to save Lila... and herself.

New York Times bestselling author Kody Keplinger weaves an unforgettable story about discovering true friendship, finding home, and the possibilities of forgiveness.

Reviews

Praise for New York Times bestselling author Kody Keplinger

Lila and Hadley
"A funny, moving tale, at once unsparingly realistic and upbeat." --Kirkus Review

The Swift Boys & Me
"A fine, honest and heartfelt coming-of-age tale." --Kirkus Reviews

"Keplinger gives appropriate gravity to Nola's feelings of hurt and helplessness, while tempering her distress with reassuring outlets in her parents and two new friends. A believably bittersweet ending delivers an emotional understanding of the necessary changes we all undergo while growing up." --Booklist

"Keplinger's book is a heartfelt exploration of the nature of friendship, pain, and healing." --Children's Literature


That's Not What Happened
"An original and engrossing narrative about scars, recovery, and how the stories we tell can both sustain and hobble us." --Publishers Weekly

"Echoing highly publicized tragedies, this taut, emotional story goes behind the headlines to reveal lives impacted by school violence." --Kirkus Reviews

"A timely, thought-provoking read...." -- School Library Journal

"Unique... This is a must-read." --PASTE magazine

Run
"Bo and Agnes' unlikely friendship rings true and strong." --Kirkus Reviews

"A good unlikely friendship story with compelling characters and a nuanced portrait of disability and small-town life." --School Library Journal

"There's plenty to recommend . . . though the most effective thing here remains Agnes' and Bo's voices and the strength of their realistically tumultuous relationship." --Booklist

The DUFF
"A well-written, irreverent, and heartfelt debut." --Publishers Weekly

"A complex, enemies-with-benefits relationship that the YA market has never seen before . . . Her snarky teen speak, true-to-life characterizations, and rollicking sense of humor never cease in her debut." --Kirkus Reviews

"What's best here is Bianca's brazen voice. Even when confused, she is truer to herself than most." --Booklist

Lying Out Loud, a companion to The DUFF

"Just like the recipients of Sonny's fibs, readers will find themselves duped by her creativity, unabashed courage, and hilarious snark. Until it all blows up. Fierce, fresh, total fun." --Kirkus Reviews

"Readers will cringe as Sonny digs herself deeper and deeper into trouble, then applaud when she learns how to develop trust in her relationships with parents, friends, and of course, a hot romantic interest." --VOYA

"Sonny is a realistic and very human character, and even though she is a liar, her motivations are all too believable." --School Library Journal