The Book of Us

by Shane Peacock

It’s the summer before grade twelve, and sixteen-year-old Noah Greene is in the relationship of a lifetime with his brilliant and book-smart girlfriend, Miranda Owens. But when Miranda overhears his private conversation with another girl, what he says destroys everything they’ve built, shattering Noah’s world. Determined to make amends, Noah sets out to truly understand the harm his words have caused and maybe become worthy enough for Miranda in time for prom. Along the way, he’s been turning his journey into a manuscript called The Book of Us and wants to give it to Miranda to prove to her how far he thinks he’s come. What did Noah say that upset Miranda so much? What will she say when he finally asks her out again? Has he been able to mend the harm he's caused, or are some things beyond repair?

240 pages, Paperback

Published October 18, 2022

About the author

Shane Peacock was born in 1957 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, one of four brothers. He attended school in the northern town of Kapuskasing, Ontario, before attending university, where he studied History and English literature. A biographer, journalist, and screenwriter, he is also the author of eighteen novels, a picture book and three plays, and has been won and/or been nominated for numerous awards including two Arthur Ellis Awards for crime fiction, the Geoffrey Bilson Award for historical fiction, the Violet Downey Award, the Libris Award, seven times honored with Junior Library Guild of America selections, and has been on three shortlists for the Canadian Children's Literature Award, and one for the Governor-General's Award. His books have been published in 20 languages in 18 countries. He and his wife, journalist Sophie Kneisel live in Cobourg, Ontario and have two daughters and a son.

Series:
* The Dylan Maples Adventures
* The Boy Sherlock Holmes
The Dark Missions of Edgar Brim
The Seven Series

Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Juvenile (2008): Eye of the Crow
The Arthur Ellis (2013)
The Violet Downey Award
The Libris Award
The Geoffrey Bilson Award
The Ruth & Sylvia Schwartz Award
Anne Izard Storyteller Choice Award
Junior Library Guild of America Selection (7 times)
Governor-General's Award (shortlist)
TD Canadian Children's Literature Award (shortlist)

Reviews

[Ren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Between the stunted writing, the obvious treatment of the love interest verging on manic pixie dream girl in a horrible way, and the footnotes that go from endearing to annoying quickly, this might be one of the least engaging and interesting books I've read in a long time. The concept is actually really good, a boy trying to win back the girl after spreading a rumour because he was scared of the judgement of others, but there's just... The decisions made here are upsetting, and if you take it at face value of the author being the main character there's no substance, it's just him telling her what he did, especially when it comes down to him trying to impress her by not telling her what he was doing, but then just giving her the book anyway? A lot doesn't make sense here, and the overly flowery prose doesn't help engage the reader, at all.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has an interesting perspective that really works with its chosen young adult audience. The male perspective and motivations in trying to impress a girl and trying to be a better person. I’m curious how my students will respond to this one. It’s a bit esoteric at times and somewhat academic but also very real and filled with teen angst. I was sunny how much I enjoyed it and can’t wait for a teen perspective.