Publishers Weekly
04/03/2023
In this sprawling queer drama by Moreland (It Goes Like This), Midwestern 15-year-old Madison lives for political organizing and dreams of securing a future as a campaign manager. She’s convinced that managing her girlfriend Jade’s bid for junior class president will be a breeze, until Jade dumps her and subsequently fires her just before the start of campaign season. Madison then rear-ends Mr. Braun, the student government adviser and the one person she needs to impress if she hopes to attend a prestigious political organizing summer program. To obtain necessary experience, she must get back into Mr. Braun’s good graces and secure another candidate to compete against Jade. Luckily, Madison convinces classmate Victoria to hire her as campaign manager. As romance blossoms between the two teens, their campaign becomes complicated when they discover a secret history of sexual harassment within the student government. While this lengthy read’s plotting wavers in the third act, it offers a convincing portrayal of a determined teen tackling issues of homophobia, political awareness, self-harm, and sexual assault all while doggedly pursuing her own dreams and ambitions. Ages 13–up. Protagonists read as white. Agent: Jessica Errera, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (May)
From the Publisher
Praise for Something Like Possible:
"By turns tender, earnest, and beautifully righteous, Something Like Possible is a love letter to the ambitious queer girls who will change the world. My vote is a resounding YES." —Edward Underhill, author of Always the Almost
"Something Like Possible is an unapologetic anthem for ambitious, type-A perfectionists. Especially the girls who’ve been told that their ambition makes them unlikable, cold, or too much. Moreland shows us that the world isn’t too much to want—or fight for. This book is also a tender reminder to teens in the fast lane that it’s okay to ease up on the gas. At once a protest song, a tribute to unlikeable girls, and a heart-warming queer love story, Something Like Possible will have you ready to roll up your sleeves and do the work." —Jasper Sanchez, author of The (Un)popular Vote
"This wonderful book has something on the ballot for everybody, including political nerdery, adorable romance, righteous anger, and queer joy. I emphatically vote for Miel Moreland as an author to watch!" —Dahlia Adler, author of Cool for the Summer and Home Field Advantage
"Full of heart and hope, Something Like Possible explores just how hard yet empowering it can be when the personal gets political and the political gets personal. The queer cast of lovable and passionate characters show what it means to have each other's backs—and hearts. I inhaled this book." —Emma Kress, author of Dangerous Play
“Miel Moreland writes the stories I wish I had as a teenager—inclusive, empowering, and unapologetically queer. Madison’s journey is one that is crafted with such sensitivity and tenderness, showcasing the realities of being a queer teen without sacrificing queer joy. For every ambitious girl who has been told that they are “too much,” Something Like Possible is a validating promise that you are enough.” —Marisa Kanter, author of As If On Cue
"Moreland's novel is a powerful, much needed story for queer girls, told through a spreadsheet-loving, politically involved character's experience. An important book to have on any shelf; I would trust Madison to run my campaign (and my life) any day." —Nicole Melleby, The Science of Being Angry
"For everyone who’s ever felt like 'a lot,' who doesn’t quite fit in and has been made to believe they need to tone their passion down. For everyone who’s been hurt and felt the need to bear it alone, who doesn’t know who will believe them, who needs to know that there are people out there who will support them no matter what, this book is for you, all of you, and it is a triumph." —Alice Scott, Bards Alley bookstore
"The supportive friendships between the multiple queer characters are endearing and refreshing." —Kirkus Reviews
"A convincing portrayal of a determined teen tackling issues of homophobia, political awareness, self-harm, and sexual assault all while doggedly pursuing her own dreams and ambitions." —Publishers Weekly
Praise for It Goes Like This:
The Nerd Daily's "Anticipated Queer Book Releases You Can’t Miss In 2021"
Buzzfeed's "Contemporary Books We're Looking Forward To Reading In 2021"
"Debut author Moreland...uses interview transcripts, social media posts, and breathless fan reports to create a funny, romantic, and moving picture of four young musicians trying to figure out their complicated personal and professional desires amid media scrutiny." —Publishers Weekly
"This engaging novel...delivers a memorable story surrounding gender identity, love, and friendship; readers will be clamoring for more." —Booklist
"Compulsively readable...a love letter to friendship and platonic love...an absolute winner." —The Nerd Daily
"This novel is a home run. In their personal journeys, the sympathetic protagonists make good role models for teens worried that every mistake or course change is permanent; the characters demonstrate that growing up, changing your mind, and admitting you screwed up are all fine." —School Library Journal
"It Goes Like This was everything my music nerd heart needed AND wanted. Lyrical and heart-wrenching...beautiful representation, sweetest longing and the pop-star romance of my dreams; Swifties will swoon happily with this story tattooed on their hearts." —Erin Hahn, author of You'd Be Mine and More Than Maybe
"A breathtakingly heartfelt debut, It Goes Like This is a stunning and poignant coming of age story that centers queer kids in all their nuance. I wish I could read it again for the first time. Like our favorite songs, this story will stick with you long after you’ve reached the end." —Kalynn Baron, author of Cinderella is Dead
"A poignant debut about friendship, falling out, falling in, and finding one’s way...will have you singing in your seat and fangirling long after you finish the final chapters." —Jaye Robin Brown, author of Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit
"Moreland’s writing instantly pulled me in, seamlessly weaving together multiple points of view to tell a rich, gripping story full of heartbreak and joy. A spectacular debut about queer love, life, and friendship, It Goes Like This is a song I never wanted to end." —Jennifer Dugan, author of Hot Dog Girl
"It Goes Like This is a touching and delightful exploration of queer friendship, love, and art. I want to live in this fun, heartfelt, and important book ‘til the moon crashes into the sea." —Auriane Desombre, author of I Think I Love You
"A moving story of friendship, love, and growing up. Like the best of melodies, it will stay with you long after it’s over." —Caleb Roehrig, author of Fell of Dark
"A delicious escape, the kind of book where you dive in and just want to stay a while. A journey through memory, love, family, and loss...This novel was a soothing balm to my heart." —Aminah Mae Safi, author of This is All Your Fault
Kirkus Reviews
2023-03-29
A 15-year-old Minnesota girl knows exactly what she wants, but life is about to show her that there may be more than one way of getting there.
High-achieving Madison has a plan, specifically The Plan, mapped out in her Life Notebook, detailing exactly what steps she needs to take to reach her dream of becoming a political campaign manager. First, she needs to successfully manage the campaign to get Jade, her girlfriend, elected as their school’s next junior class president, which will help her earn a scholarship to attend the Youth Politics Boot Camp, which will in turn increase her chances of getting into her dream college, Georgetown. However, Madison’s plans are thrown off course when Jade both dumps and fires her. Determined to keep moving ahead, Madison quickly finds a promising new candidate in kind and intriguing Victoria. As the relationship between Madison and Victoria shows signs of budding into something more, everything seems to be falling back into place. But when Madison discovers a sexual harassment scandal within her school, she will once again have to fight to maintain control of her future. The supportive friendships between the multiple queer characters are endearing and refreshing. However, the pacing of more serious plot points feels unbalanced, with little time given for readers to become invested in and then digest these important events and themes before the story wraps up. Main characters are White.
An engaging but unevenly paced story about perseverance and solidarity. (resources) (Fiction. 14-18)
