Ready to Fall

A YA novel about a teen who finds hope and a fresh start after a terrible loss, and learns that being strong means letting go

Following the death of his mother, Max Friedman comes to believe that he is sharing his brain with a tumour; one that possesses a dark sense of humour and a relentless ability to tease. As Max becomes focused on controlling the malignant tenant, he starts to lose touch with his friends and family, and with reality itself – so Max's father sends him off to the artsy Baldwin School to regain his footing.

Soon, Max has joined a group of theatre misfits in a steam-punk production of Hamlet. He befriends Fish, a girl with pink hair and a troubled past, and The Monk, a boy who refuses to let go of the things he loves. For a while, Max almost feels happy. But the tumour is always lurking in the wings – until one night it knocks him down, and Max is forced to face the truth.

Ready to Fall is a funny, touching story of grief, love – and the courage it takes to start afresh.

'Grief becomes something oddly beautiful – and beautifully odd' Kirkus (starred review)

'Rewarding and touching' Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Marcella Pixley is a teacher and the author of two previous books for teens, Freak, a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year, and Without Tess. She lives in Westford, Massachusetts with her husband and two sons.