Personal Effects

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Ever since his brother, T.J., was killed in Iraq, Matt feels like he’s been sleepwalking through life — failing classes, getting into fights, and avoiding his dad’s lectures about following in his brother’s footsteps. T.J.’s gone, but Matt can’t shake the feeling that if only he could get his hands on his brother’s stuff from Iraq, he’d be able to make sense of his death. But as Matt searches for answers about T.J.’s death, he faces a shocking revelation about T.J.’s life that suggests he may not have known T.J. as well as he thought. What he learns challenges him to stand up to his father, honor his brother’s memory, and take charge of his own life. With compassion, humor, and a compelling narrative voice, E. M. Kokie explores grief, social mores, and self-discovery in a provocative first novel.Review"Well written and heartfelt, Personal Effects provides much to discuss after the covers are closed. . . . This title is highly recommended for teen readers." -VOYA"The author conveys Matt's grief over T.J. and his fear of his father so palpably that the reader's stomach tightens in empathy. . . . Kokie's well-crafted debut novel depicts a military family with admirable complexity while tracing one young man's hard-fought coming of age." -Hornbook"Kokie grounds readers so thoroughly in Matt's misery that they will be as itchy to escape the brutal emptiness of life with his father as he is. . . . A fine addition to the literature of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."-Kirkus". . . Kokie has written a no-holds-barred contemporary YA novel that is right up there with my all-time favorites of the genre." -Richie's Picks"In an outstanding debut, Kokie tackles the tumultuous aftermath of a soldier's death, as seen through the eyes of a sibling left behind. . . . Through raw moments and strikingly mature characterizations, Kokie explores loss, personal relationships, and the burden of preconceptions." - Starred Review, Publishers WeeklyPERSONAL EFFECTS is one of the best novels I've read in a long time—it's complex, moving, and beautifully written. I want everyone I love to read this book.—Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award Finalist, Coretta Scott King Award winner, and Newbery Honor winnerWith a pen dipped in adrenaline, E.M. Kokie tells a harrowing story of profound grief and powerful honesty. Read it immediately.—Ellen Wittlinger, author of the Michael L. Printz Honor winner Hard LovePERSONAL EFFECTS is a courageous book about the anger and pain of loss. But most of all, it is about different kinds of love.—Francisco X. Stork, author of Marcelo in the Real World and The Last Summer of the Death WarriorsTimely, passionate, and political, PERSONAL EFFECTS is a story that needs to be told. Heartbreaking and heart-opening at the same time.—James Howe, author of The Misfits and Totally JoeThe devastating power of secrets and grief are perfectly captured in Matt's journey to finding the truth about his brother—and ultimately, himself.—Jo Knowles, author of Jumping Off Swings and See You at Harry’sPERSONAL EFFECTS is a smart, rugged, hugely insightful book that elevates an already soaring genre. E.M. Kokie glides along that fine line between comedy and tragedy to tell a sensational story.—Chris Crutcher, a Margaret A. Edwards Award-winning author About the AuthorE. M. Kokie is an attorney, but has long had a strong interest in literature for teens. Personal Effects is her first novel. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin.