Buckeye

Ever feel like your life is just a series of awkward moments you're trying to survive? What if you could find the humor and heart in the chaos of growing up? This story shows you how one boy’s offbeat journey through a messy, hilarious adolescence can be surprisingly relatable. Follow along as twelve-year-old Daniel navigates a bewildering world of divorced parents, a new stepdad, and a crush on his best friend’s mom. You'll discover how embracing your own weirdness and finding connection in the most unexpected places can help you not just get by, but truly come into your own.

Patrick Ryan is a recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship in fiction and the author of three novels, including the Read with Jenna pick, Buckeye. Drawing from his own experiences growing up in a small town, Ryan masterfully captures the complex bonds of family and the bittersweet ache of first love. His work explores the quiet moments that define us, revealing the profound emotions simmering just beneath the surface of everyday life.