The 10 P.M. Question

The 10 P.M. Question introduces readers to Frankie Parsons, a twelve-year-old boy whose life is dominated by a constant stream of anxieties and a significant family secret he can't bring himself to address. His mother, who rarely leaves home, is at the heart of this unspoken truth. When a free-spirited new girl enters Frankie's life, her direct questions and daring nature begin to dismantle his carefully guarded world, forcing him to confront the 'ultimate 10 p.m. question.' This warm, witty, and poignant young adult novel explores themes of anxiety, family dynamics, friendship, and the courage it takes to face difficult truths. It is suitable for ages 12 and up, offering a deeply empathetic look at a child's internal world.

Worry-prone Frankie keeps his family secret under control--until a bold, inquisitive girl enters his life--in this warm, witty, and captivating YA novel. (Ages 12 and up) Twelve-year-old Frankie Parsons is a talented kid with a quirky family, a best friend named Gigs, and a voice of anxiety constantly nibbling in his head: Could that kidney-shaped spot on his chest be a galloping cancer? Are the smoke alarm batteries flat? Has his cat, The Fat Controller, given them all worms? Only Ma, who never leaves home, takes Frankie’s worries seriously. But then, it is Ma who is the cause of the most troubling question of all, the one Frankie can never bring himself to ask. When a new girl arrives at school--a daring free spirit with unavoidable questions of her own--Frankie’s carefully guarded world begins to unravel, leading him to a painful confrontation with the ultimate 10 p.m. question. Deftly told with humor, poignancy, and an endearing cast of characters, THE 10 P.M. QUESTION will touch everyone who has ever felt set apart.