Spinning Out

Spinning Out is a compelling young adult novel about the intense bonds of friendship and the challenging realities of mental health. High school senior Frenchy finds his world upended when his witty best friend, Stewart, takes his role in 'Man of la Mancha' too far, beginning to believe he is Don Quixote. As Stewart's delusions intensify, Frenchy must navigate his own personal struggles while desperately trying to bring his friend back to reality. This book offers a poignant exploration of loyalty, identity, and the courage it takes to confront difficult truths, making it suitable for ages 12-18.

High school senior Frenchy has little ambition beyond hanging out at the smoking rock until his best friend, the ever-witty and conniving Stewart, gets him to try out for Man of la Mancha. To everyone's surprise, the guys are a hit. But when Stewart's antics begin to grow more obsessive—he wears his costume 24/7, freaks out about little details, and displays an incessant hatred of the high-tech windmills outside of town—Frenchy worries that there's something deeper going on. Is Stewart spiraling into madness, just like Don Quixote? And can Frenchy battle through his own demons in time to save his friend from self-destruction before it's too late?