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Early Departures Hardcover – 22 Sept. 2020
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Like Adam Silvera's They Both Die at the End and Colleen Hoover's It Ends with Us, Early Departures by Justin A. Reynolds, author of Opposite of Always, is a powerful and deeply moving YA contemporary novel with a speculative twist about love, death, grief, and friendship.
What if you could bring your best friend back to life--but only for a short time?
Jamal's best friend, Q, doesn't know that he died, and that he's about to die . . . again. He doesn't know that Jamal tried to save him. And that the reason they haven't been friends for two years is because Jamal blames Q for the accident that killed his parents.
But what if Jamal could have a second chance? A new technology allows Q to be reanimated for a few weeks before he dies . . . permanently. And Q's mom is not about to let anyone ruin this miracle by telling Q about his impending death. So how can Jamal fix everything if he can't tell Q the truth?
Early Departures weaves together loss, grief, friendship, and love to form a wholly unique homage to the bonds that bring people together for life--and beyond.
- Print length480 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherKatherine Tegen Books
- Publication date22 Sept. 2020
- Grade level4 - 12
- Reading age14 - 17 years
- Dimensions13.97 x 3.68 x 20.96 cm
- ISBN-100062748408
- ISBN-13978-0062748409
Product description
Review
"A page-turning narrative with a cast of fully realized characters and realistic dialogue. The skillful use of flashbacks and social media content fully engages readers. Despite the seriousness of the story, humor and moments of pathos will elicit empathy and connection. This thoroughly satisfying novel of love, loss, and reconciliation is not to be missed." -- Kirkus Reviews(starred review)
"This charming, wry novel packed with witty, crackling banter is propulsively readable. There are some big questions about choice, consequences, loyalty, and love in this novel, and Reynolds beautifully complements those heavy concerns with the sweet, funny, and genuine voice of his protagonist. -- Booklist (starred review)
"Will have readers dying with laughter as Reynolds miraculously finds a way to couple tragedy and comedy. Highly recommended for anyone who is searching for light at the end of the tunnel." -- School Library Journal (starred review)
"Weaves themes of friendship and tragic loss into a sensitive tale of two teens who have lost their way in the midst of grief and misunderstanding. The author also deftly uses humor throughout this fast-paced, engagingly written book, providing levity in a story dealing with heavy issues such as death, reconciliation, and learning how and when to let go." -- Horn Book Magazine
Praise for Opposite of Always: Opposite of Always is as beautiful as it is funny, warm, and captivating. One of the best love stories I've ever read. Jack King is the hero we've been waiting for.” -- Angie Thomas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give
“Read this one, reread it, and then hug it to your chest. Reynolds' debut is wise, heartfelt, and wildly, infinitely charming.” -- Becky Albertalli, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and Leah on the Offbeat
"Reynolds weaves themes of friendship and tragic loss into a sensitive tale... deftly uses humor throughout this fast-paced, engagingly written book." -- Horn Book Magazine
“A love story about friendship with a “choose your own adventure” twist... Any teen who's ever wanted a do-over will enjoy reading this story.” -- School Library Journal (starred review)
“Romeo and Juliet meets Groundhog Day and Love Story in this wonderfully romantic story of teenage love and second chances.... Reynolds creates a pair of unforgettable protagonists who are doomed to love, lose, and work to find one another again and again.” -- Kirkus Reviews
“Reynolds spins a poignant, dizzying tale of love and loss in this page-turning time-travel fantasy.” -- Horn Book
“[Reynolds] creates an enormously likable character who is doing the best he can and then some ...the book's blend of humor and heartbreak wins out.” -- Publishers Weekly
“Jack's narration is as funny as it is poignant as he moves from romantic to frantic and back again... [a] sentimental but not saccharine fantasy.” -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Compelling story with a largely African-American cast... aimed squarely at an audience that appreciates melodrama and is unashamed to soak some tissues." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
From the Back Cover
About the Author
Justin A. Reynolds has always wanted to be a writer. Opposite of Always, his debut YA novel, was an Indies Introduce selection and a School Library Journal Best Book and has been translated into nineteen languages. His second YA novel, Early Departures, was a Kirkus Reviews Best YA Book of the Year. His debut middle grade, a Miles Morales graphic novel titled Shock Waves, was an indie bestseller. Justin is also the cofounder of the CLE Reads Book Festival, a Cleveland book festival for middle grade and young adult writers. He hangs out in northeast Ohio and is probably somewhere right now dancing terribly. You can visit him at justinareynolds.com.
Product details
- Publisher : Katherine Tegen Books; 1st edition (22 Sept. 2020)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 480 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0062748408
- ISBN-13 : 978-0062748409
- Reading age : 14 - 17 years
- Dimensions : 13.97 x 3.68 x 20.96 cm
- Customer reviews:
About the author

Justin A. Reynolds is the author of Opposite of Always, Early Departures, and the upcoming Miles Morales: Shock Waves. His debut novel published by Katherine Tegen Books was an Indies Introduce selection, a School Library Journal Best Book, has been translated in seventeen languages, and is being developed for film with Paramount Players. Justin is also the co-founder of the CLE Reads Book Festival, a Cleveland Book Festival for middle-grade and young adult writers, which he launched in July 2019. You can find him at justinareynolds.com.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings, help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonTop reviews from United Kingdom
Top reviews from other countries
- NaiyaReviewed in the United States on 7 May 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read, lots of important messages
I love to read and usually go to the library, but since the pandemic started I've been treating myself to a few new books. So with that being said this is my first Amazon review of a book. :) But anyways, I really really enjoyed it. I loved how dorky some of the characters were (many laugh out loud moments), and I feel like I grew closer to them as I continued to read. I like how this book incorporated a sci-fi theme of Q being reanimated, it's not something you see often in African American teen novels. I feel like I was a little confused at the beginning of the book but once I kept reading everything all came together. I'm 22 years old and also have dealt with the loss of several loved ones, so I could definitely relate to a lot of what Jamal went through. I'm probably a little older than the intended audience but I often enjoy learning from characters that are younger than me. There's a lot of messages in this book that are so important. You'll laugh and cry a little. 10/10 would recommend. I can't wait to read it again when I get the chance.
- SerraReviewed in the Netherlands on 27 April 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreaking and Heartwarming
This book made me really reflect on my own life and the time I have here on earth. It made me cry, it brought back memories, and it has helped me work through a lot of difficult emotions. I wasn't a fan of the writing per se, but the message and the concept gives a good rating.
- Carl SReviewed in the United States on 21 October 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars My 12 year old son loved the book and wanted more by the author.
Any book that keeps my son interested in reading is a winner. He enjoyed this and asked for more like it so thumbs up from me!
- barthurReviewed in the United States on 27 September 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars What If?
No spoilers here, but this teacher will be buying copies for our classrooms. This book has it all - love, laughter, and tears.