Now Playing: Stoner & Spaz II

This compelling young adult novel continues the story of Ben Bancroft, a teenager living with cerebral palsy, as he navigates the complexities of first love and self-acceptance. Ben finds himself torn between Colleen, a beautiful but troubled girl from his past, and Amy, a bright, ambitious filmmaker who shares his passion. The book delves into Ben's internal struggle with how others perceive his disability versus his true self, exploring themes of identity, friendship, and the challenges of teen relationships with wit and poignancy. It's an insightful read for parents and teens, offering a nuanced portrayal of disability and emotional growth.

Quick repartee. Unsparing wit. Insight, poignancy, and spot-on characters. Welcome the much-awaited sequel to the acclaimed STONER & SPAZ. (Ages 14 and up) Beautiful but troubled Colleen Minou is the only girl who ever looked at Ben Bancroft as more than a spaz-- more than just that kid with cerebral palsy. Yet the more time Ben spends with her, the more glaring their differences appear. Is what Ben feels for Colleen actual affection, or more like gratitude? Then there’s Amy (aka A.J.), who is everything Colleen isn’t, and everything Ben’s grandma wants for him: clean-cut and upper-class, academically driven, just as obsessed with filmmaking as Ben is. But what does A.J. see when she looks at Ben? CP? Or the person behind the twisted body? In Ron Koertge’s sharp, darkly humorous follow-up to the award-winning Stoner & Spaz, Ben tries to come to terms with his confused feelings toward A.J. and his inimitable connection to Colleen, who is sometimes out of it, sometimes into him, and always exhilarating.