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Finding Chaz
"If my life were a TV show, Chaz Humbert would be the bad guy."
Roxie Nazari's had it. She's been subjected to Chaz Humbert's creepy come-ons and inappropriate antics for three years--and she's not his only victim. With teachers, guidance counselors, and school administration unwilling to end the harassment, Roxie exacts revenge on an anger-fueled impulse. What she doesn't realize is how her actions will completely change her life--and her worldview.
Turns out, revenge is not so sweet, not just because of the guilt she feels, but because her sentence is an in-school suspension...with the perp himself! Trapped in close quarters with Chaz, Roxie is determined not to be fooled by the sudden drastic change in his behavior. But when Chaz reveals an unexpected truth, both he and Roxie hurtle down an entirely new path of self-discovery.
Meanwhile, they aren't the only ones in their school--or town--with problems. Old friends, new friends, and family are all struggling with their own first steps into adulthood. Roxie's eyes are opened to the narrow-mindedness and limitations of her hometown. Will things ever improve? And can a girl who just started high school make a difference?
An American coming-of-age story set against the social backdrop of the 2000s, Finding Chaz illustrates the pitfalls of adolescence with raw humor, honesty, and heart.
Roxie Nazari's had it. She's been subjected to Chaz Humbert's creepy come-ons and inappropriate antics for three years--and she's not his only victim. With teachers, guidance counselors, and school administration unwilling to end the harassment, Roxie exacts revenge on an anger-fueled impulse. What she doesn't realize is how her actions will completely change her life--and her worldview.
Turns out, revenge is not so sweet, not just because of the guilt she feels, but because her sentence is an in-school suspension...with the perp himself! Trapped in close quarters with Chaz, Roxie is determined not to be fooled by the sudden drastic change in his behavior. But when Chaz reveals an unexpected truth, both he and Roxie hurtle down an entirely new path of self-discovery.
Meanwhile, they aren't the only ones in their school--or town--with problems. Old friends, new friends, and family are all struggling with their own first steps into adulthood. Roxie's eyes are opened to the narrow-mindedness and limitations of her hometown. Will things ever improve? And can a girl who just started high school make a difference?
An American coming-of-age story set against the social backdrop of the 2000s, Finding Chaz illustrates the pitfalls of adolescence with raw humor, honesty, and heart.
545 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2022
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1483 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 15, 2022
I'm pretty sure that after this book makes the rounds, it’ll end up on a high school reading list. It made me reflect on our current "cancel culture" as the story takes place in the early 2000s when the world, in my view was not easy but kids' lives were less encumbered. It makes a strong but oh-so-subtle statement about intersecting identities that is long overdue and is one of the reasons this book will be of interest to readers long past their high school days. This is because the author is clever--very clever with words and uber talented at character development. The story is told by Roxy-- who is indeed the strong daughter every mother wants to raise .....but who can also be quite impetuous. She's whip-smart but careless with her grades at school. She can be loving, caring, and empathetic, but can slice a foe to bits with a glare or her words. I enjoyed how skillfully the author presented her duality through her interactions with the people in her life. My absolute favorite character was Nick, her brother who was so many things rolled into one...I found myself wanting to put my motherly arms around this " pumpkin bread baking accordion playing wanna-be gangster".
Finding Chaz is indeed very funny and it covers some complicated topics that require a level of maturity to understand and appreciate. Its funny dialogue will draw in older teens and college-aged kids but parents and educators will look at Finding Chaz as a powerful tool to ignite conversations about tough issues. Because The writing just flows, I completely forgot that I was reading a book intended for teens. I was able to visualize every scene and at times I felt I was hiding in the shadows watching the characters live! For this reason, I hope book lovers won't overlook the chance to enjoy high-quality writing and amazing dialogue by this talented young author who really has come up with something fresh and new.
Finding Chaz is indeed very funny and it covers some complicated topics that require a level of maturity to understand and appreciate. Its funny dialogue will draw in older teens and college-aged kids but parents and educators will look at Finding Chaz as a powerful tool to ignite conversations about tough issues. Because The writing just flows, I completely forgot that I was reading a book intended for teens. I was able to visualize every scene and at times I felt I was hiding in the shadows watching the characters live! For this reason, I hope book lovers won't overlook the chance to enjoy high-quality writing and amazing dialogue by this talented young author who really has come up with something fresh and new.
January 12, 2023
This book was funny and engaging, while still containing life lessons and important messages. While it's technically YA, I think it really has something for everyone--you will definitely relate to one or more of the diverse characters in Finding Chaz. The dialogue was very natural and sharp, making it easy to visualize the plot as it was unfolding. Some of the scenes were laugh-out-loud funny, while others hit like a punch to the gut. The protagonist was refreshingly flawed but still authentic and likable-- I was definitely rooting for her as she navigated the tough coming-0f-age situations that were thrown her way. This was the case for Chaz as well--a character who started out as a creepy antagonist but had a truly fulfilling arc. Highly recommend.
September 27, 2022
I stumbled upon this author on my FYP and though I’m usually a spicy romance reader I thought I would give this YA a go because her Tik Tok’s were so relatable as a writer, and I love to support fellow indie authors.
The book read really fast paced which I love. It gripped my attention and I couldn’t put it down, I’m a quick reader and though this was a long read I binge read it in a night.
The characters were well written and captivated me in a way that brought me right back to the emotions of my high school years.
One of my favorite quotes where I had to put kindle down to just soak in the writing was,
“I squeeze my eyes shut, then shake my head like I’m an etch-a-sketch, hoping to wipe the slate clean.”
The book read really fast paced which I love. It gripped my attention and I couldn’t put it down, I’m a quick reader and though this was a long read I binge read it in a night.
The characters were well written and captivated me in a way that brought me right back to the emotions of my high school years.
One of my favorite quotes where I had to put kindle down to just soak in the writing was,
“I squeeze my eyes shut, then shake my head like I’m an etch-a-sketch, hoping to wipe the slate clean.”
July 29, 2022
As soon as I heard about this book, I HAD to read it!
The author easily puts pieces of everyone you know in each character. Hard to believe it's her first book, Easy to believe it wont be the last!
It's High School life that every generation can relate to. The bullies, the jocks, the drama club...they are all here.
The author easily puts pieces of everyone you know in each character. Hard to believe it's her first book, Easy to believe it wont be the last!
It's High School life that every generation can relate to. The bullies, the jocks, the drama club...they are all here.
October 24, 2022
I think if Finding Chaz were to get the proper attention, it could become an American classic in its own right. The fact that it made me laugh throughout is an added bonus. It was a book I casually picked up at a friend’s for some lighthearted reading and to my absolute surprise, I was taken for a much better ride than I could have expected. It takes place around 15 years ago (when I was in high school) at a point in history where progressive movements were happening in the cities, but worlds away from places like Chester. I remember this time well and is the very reason this story appeals to me so much. This young author brilliantly encapsulated for me the drama of high school with the rumors, and the strange people you pass in the hallways or observe in class. But what is so noteworthy is the way she fans an undercurrent that makes the reader think and essentially grow in understanding along with the characters. The dialogue is so real, so natural, I swear it does not feel like reading…more like watching. This book is a hidden gem and will be appreciated by far more than a YA audience.
October 31, 2022
Recommended for teens and pre-teens of any gender. Approximately five High Schoolers, who within a fairly short amount of time become a close group of friends. This is the story of their individual and group experiences during that time.
August 29, 2022
Do not Recommend it.
April 3, 2023
I don’t usually read YA but a friend recommended this book so I had to get a copy. I was really impressed by the intricate story telling, variety of chapters and integration of multiple significant plot-lines introduced by this first time author. The book is called “Finding Chaz” but it’s really about more than one characters. The novel centers one a core group of high schoolers dealing with expected & unexpected challenges faced by real-world teens today.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews