The How & Why by Cynthia Hand blog tour, Excerpt & #giveaway @JeanBookNerd @CynthiaHand @TTCBooksandmore ~ '

Imprint: HarperTeen (November 5, 2019)

On Sale: 11/05/2019

Pages: 464

List Price: 17.99 USD Age: 13+

ISBN: 9780062693167

ISBN 10: 0062693166

Praise for THE HOW & THE WHY

“The novel’s great strength is the emotional depth of its characters and the complexity of their relationships. A heartfelt and hopeful story about coming of age as an adoptee.” ―School Library Journal

“Hand explores adoption’s multiple dimensions with great insight and sensitivity. Inclusive and illustrative: an engaging lesson in timeless family values.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Cynthia Hand is the master of pulling at your heartstrings. The How & the Why tells both sides of an adoption story with love, compassion, and care. You’ll be reaching for your tissue box with this one -- if you can stop turning pages long enough, that is.” ―Brigid Kemmerer, New York Times Bestselling Author of Letters to the Lost

“Beautifully rendered and superbly shaped. Hand has crafted an absorbing novel that focuses on family, friendship, teen pregnancy, adoption, personal choices, and serious health issues. Give this exquisite novel to readers seeking an emotionally intricate story.” ―Booklist (starred review)

A poignant exploration of family and the ties that bind, perfect for fans of Far From the Tree, from New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand.

Today Melly had us writing letters to our babies…

Cassandra McMurtrey has the best parents a girl could ask for. They’ve given Cass a life she wouldn’t trade for the world. She has everything she needs—except maybe the one thing she wants. Like, to know who she is. Where she came from. Questions her adoptive parents can’t answer, no matter how much they love her.

But eighteen years ago, someone wrote Cass a series of letters. And they may just hold the answers Cass has been searching for.

Alternating between Cass’s search for answers and letters from the pregnant teen who gave her up for adoption, this voice-driven narrative is the perfect read for fans of Nina LaCour and Jandy Nelson.

You can purchase The How & the Why at the following Retailers:

THE HOW & THE WHY BY CYNTHIA HAND EXCERPT

“Happy birthday, Cass,” says Nyla.

“Thanks.” I dunk a chip into the salsa and eye the mariachi band singing in the corner of the restaurant. I hope Nyla didn’t tell them it’s my birthday.

“So how does it feel,” she asks, “the great one eight?”

I shrug. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Not a big deal?” she scoffs. “But now you can buy cigarettes.”

“Ew.” I crunch the chip. “Like I would ever.”

“Agreed—ew—but you can do so much now,” she elaborates. “You can purchase lottery tickets. You can open your very own bank account, or get a tattoo. You can drink alcohol in Europe.”

“Yeah, I’ll get right on that.”

“My point is, now you’re a grown-up.” She leans forward across the table, like she’s about to impart some secret of the universe. “You’re an adult,” she whispers.

I lean forward, too. “I kind of liked being a kid.”

She sighs and sits back. “Boo. You’re no fun.”

“You’re just jealous because you’re not going to be eighteen for another twenty-nine days.” I love lording it over Nyla that I’m exactly one month older than she is. And therefore wiser.

She scoffs. “When we’re forty you’re going to wish you were the younger one.”

“When we’re forty, I definitely will.” I grin. “But right now I’m happy to be your elder.”

She sticks her tongue out at me.

“Hey, now. Respect your elders,” I scold her, and she rolls her eyes.

Photo Content from Cynthia Hand

Cynthia Hand is the New York Times bestselling author of several books for teens, including the UNEARTHLY trilogy, THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE, MY LADY JANE and MY PLAIN JANE (with fellow authors Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows), THE AFTERLIFE OF HOLLY CHASE, and the upcoming novel THE HOW AND THE WHY (Fall 2019). Before turning to writing for young adults, she studied literary fiction and earned both an M.F.A. and a Ph.D. in fiction writing. She currently resides in Boise, Idaho, with a husband who's addicted to typewriters, two kids, two cats, one crazy dog, and a entourage of imaginary friends.

WEBSITE: http://www.cynthiahandbooks.com/

TWITTER: @CynthiaHand

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3290920.Cynthia_Hand

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