Brendan Kiely
Brendan Kiely is The New York Times bestselling author of All American Boys (with Jason Reynolds), The Last True Love Story, and The Gospel of Winter. His work has been published in ten languages, received a Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award, the Walter Dean Myers Award, the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award, and was selected as one of the American Library Association’s Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults. Originally from the Boston area, he now lives with his wife in Greenwich Village.
Not sure which books to read? Let our TBF authors tell you which ones they recommend! Visit our Resources page, then scroll down to "TBF One Book Recommendations". You will also find a more complete list of books by each author under TBF Book List.
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All American Boys When sixteen-year-old Rashad is mistakenly accused of stealing, classmate Quinn witnesses his brutal beating at the hands of a police officer who happens to be the older brother of his best friend. Told through Rashad and Quinn's alternating viewpoints. |
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The Gospel of Winter Managing the challenges of his fractured family by taking Adderall, sneaking drinks, and confiding in an abusive priest, Aidan finds support from new friends including a crush, a wild girl, and a swim-team captain with his own secrets. |
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The Last True Love Story Hendrix and Corrina bust Hendrix's grandfather out of assisted living, and leave LA for New York in pursuit of freedom, truth, and love. |
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Tradition Prestigious. Powerful. Privileged. This is Fullbrook Academy, an elite prep school where history looms in the leafy branches over its brick walkways. But some traditions upheld in its hallowed halls are profoundly dangerous. |
Helpful Links
When we asked our authors what they were or might have been voted in HS, Brendan answered Most likely to relive the 1960s.
Other Fun Facts
- In middle school, I threw up on the girl I had a crush on not once, but twice.
- Also in middle school, I helped lead a student walkout from school, and we marched over 200 kids to city hall.
- In high school, the Dean of Discipline kicked me off the school newspaper for writing "inflammatory articles."
- On my first day as a teacher I accidentally sprayed water all over my khakis so I walked into the classroom looking like I'd just wet myself.
- My wife and I met as student sitting across from each other in the same class.
- If I were a superhero, I would be Treble Rebel: and my superpower would be that whenever things were getting out of hand, or too stressful, or too scary, or too threatening, or just too stupidly boring, I’d whistle and everybody would suddenly hear his or her own favorite music blasting and there would be a sudden dance party to ease the tension.
- If you can only read one of my books before TBF, you should read Tradition, because it is an emotional, dual narrative novel told by one girl and one boy about the strength of women who speak up against misogyny and how men can be better feminists.
