The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley: A Novel

Written by Shaun David Hutchinson and Christine Larsen

Narrated by Jason Keller

A heartbreaking yet uplifting story about a boy who has lost everything but finds new hope drawing in the shadows of a hospital.

Andrew Brawley was supposed to die that night, just like the rest of his family.

Now he lives in the hospital, serving food in the cafeteria, hanging out with the nurses, sleeping in a forgotten supply closet. Drew blends in to near invisibility, hiding from his past, his guilt, and those who are trying to find him. His only solace is in the world of the superhero he's created-Patient F.

Then, one night, Rusty is wheeled into the ER, half his body burned by hateful classmates. Rusty's agony is like a beacon for Drew, pulling them together through all their pain and grief. In Rusty, Drew sees hope, happiness, and a future for both of them. A future outside of the hospital, and away from their painful pasts.

But to save Rusty, Drew will have to confront death, and life might get worse before it gets better. And by telling the truth about who he really is, Drew risks any chance of a future . . . for both of them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Nov 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781666166187

Shaun David Hutchinson

Shaun David Hutchinson is the author of numerous books for young adults, including The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried, The Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza, At the Edge of the Universe, and We Are the Ants. He also edited the anthologies Violent Ends and Feral Youth and wrote the memoir Brave Face, which chronicles his struggles with depression and coming out during his teenage years. He lives in Seattle, where he enjoys drinking coffee, yelling at the TV, and eating cake. Visit him at ShaunDavidHutchinson.com or on Twitter @ShaunieDarko.

Reviews for The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley

[Dan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Oooo man. Okay. ::Breathe::
This book was gutting, deep, existential, sometimes cringe, super emotional, and amazing. I laughed and cried a little, maybe.
... I've tried to listen to this author's stories before ...but, this story (the writing, the voice, the characters, and themes) makes me think I should read or listen to ALL of his work. This book was sad--I mean it really was sad but it didn't leave me totally gutted--in the trenches of my own despair, having to dig myself back to reality. Though, to be honest, it nearly did. But somehow the end redeemed itself in such an amazing and profound way that made all the emotional pits worth wading through. Full stop.

I liked this book but I loved the ending... and I never, ever LOVE the end of a story, especially a decent one. It always seems so unfair and cruel that an ending is even necessary. But here's to living and loving in your head.

Oh, and the narrator is amazing too. He laughed awkwardly when appropriate and it made you feel like he actually was the character- charmed with something he'd said or done. He cried, and you felt the pain and weight of the (his) story unfolding. It's a rare treat to have the narrator be this good... he immediately sweeps you into the story and you refuse to resurface until you need a break from smiling or crying along with him (mostly maybe crying, to be fair).