Bye Forever, I Guess
Bye Forever, I Guess by Jodi Meadows is a middle-grade novel published by Holiday House on October 22, 2024. This edition spans 288 pages and is presented in English. The story follows thirteen-year-old Ingrid, who navigates the complexities of middle school life while balancing her online persona as a skilled gamer and social media enthusiast. When she receives a wrong-number text from a boy at her school, she finds herself drawn into a new friendship that challenges her guarded nature and forces her to confront her feelings about real-life connections.
Readers will discover themes of friendship, love, and the challenges of social dynamics in a school setting. As Ingrid grapples with her dual existence—being a charity case in her social circle while thriving in the gaming world—she faces the dilemma of whether she can truly open up to others. The narrative explores the messiness of middle-school relationships and the healing power of fantasy, making it a relatable and engaging read for young audiences interested in social themes and the intricacies of growing up.
Official synopsis Publisher
Can a guarded gamer girl lower her shield for a new friend… or more-than-friend?
“EARNEST AND LAUGH-OUT-LOUD… PITCH PERFECT.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
Thirteen-year-old Ingrid’s been living a double life. At school, she’s her popular friend Rachel’s charity case. Online, she crushes it in her favorite MMORPG, geeks out in her favorite fantasy fandom, and runs a popular social media account. If only real life were that easy.
But when Ingrid finally stands up to Rachel, it suddenly feels like she has no life at all.
Until she gets a super-sweet wrong-number text from a mystery boy at her school. Spending time together gaming as “Stitches” and “Traveler” makes her feel like she’s really connecting with someone. But when she begins to suspect that Traveler may be a popular classmate who is WAY above her in the cool-kid food chain—and whose original text was actually intended for Rachel—she faces a difficult choice. Can they be friends IRL? She wants to open up, but getting close to people has hurt her before. Is making real friends only fantasy after all?
Bye Forever, I Guess is the fresh, funny, and deeply sweet middle-grade debut of New York Times bestselling author Jodi Meadows (MY LADY JANE). Speaking to the messiness of middle-school friendships (and first loves), this is a warm, witty, enormously entertaining book—and a love letter to geek culture, gaming, and the healing power of fantasy.
“HILARIOUS… Charming, funny, and endearing.”—Kirkus Reviews
“The most DELIGHTFUL middle-grade romcom I’ve ever read!”—Ellen Oh, award-winning author of Finding Junie Kim
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year • A Booklist Best Book of the Year • A Bookshop.org Best Book of the Year • An American Booksellers Association Indie Next Selection • A Staff Pick at Parnussas Books, Bookmarks, Belmont Books, Broadway Books, and Many More
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