At a summer camp for gifted teens, Nicola Lancaster falls in with a group of funny, quirky kids that includes Battle, the beautiful girl whom Nicola found herself sketching in her notebook during orientation. Over the coming days, Nicola finds herself drawn more and more to Battle and thinking for the first time about her sexuality. Awkward and uncertain, she and Battle finally acknowledge the undeniable with a kiss, and their relationship blossoms. The dialogue in Sara Ryan’s debut novel, peppered with typical swear words found in almost any group of teens, is at times forced. But the author more than hits her stride in her sensitive, tender portrait of two girls falling in love. Nicola and Battle’s relationship echoes the intensity and sweetness of any new affection. Even in the bubble of her happiness, Nicola is keenly aware of the reactions of those around her. These range from support to “no big deal” to definite signs of hostility. But it is Battle’s own demons, which have nothing to do with sexuality and everything to do with a troubled family, that create the real problems for Nicola. This is another strength of the novel: sexuality does not in any way define the well-rounded characters, and the threat to Nicola and Battle’s relationship lies in the emotional boundaries and communication that challenge any couple. The physical relationship between Nicola and Battle is deftly implied, with references to intimacy without explicit scenes. (Age 14 and older)

Nicola Lancaster is spending her summer at the Siegel Institute, a hothouse of smart, intense teenagers. She soon falls in with Katrina (Manic Computer Chick), Isaac (Nice-Guy-Despite-Himself), Kevin (Inarticulate Composer) . . . and Battle, a beautiful blond dancer. The two become friends--and then, startlingly, more than friends. What do you do when you think you're attracted to guys, and then you meet a girl who steals your heart? A trailblazing debut, reissued with an introduction by acclaimed author David Levithan, and copious back matter, including three graphic novel stories by Sara Ryan (and artists Steve Leiber, Dylan Meconis, and Natalie Nourigat) about the characters.