Books like Far from Xanadu by Julie Anne Peters
Mike lives a predictable life in Coalton: he pumps iron, drives to school, plays softball, and works as a plumber at night. The arrival of the new girl, Xanadu, turns his ordinary world upside down. Xanadu embodies everything Mike is not—cool, sophisticated, attractive, and straight—prompting him to question his own identity and feelings. The novel follows Mike as he navigates the complexities of self‑perception, family difficulties, and budding affection, while also addressing themes of grief, suicide, and LGBTQ love in a close-knit community.
First publish date: 2005
Genre: Young Adult Fiction/YA Contemporary Fiction
Authors: Julie Anne Peters
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