Some Species of Outsider-ness
By Angela Grey & Paige Peterson
Tagline: Two teens on the margins. One dangerous truth that could cost them everything.
Piper has never fit the mold. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she's spent most of her young life being whispered about, sidelined, or dismissed. Slater knows the feeling too well. Still recovering from Guillain-Barré Syndrome, he carries the scars of a body that betrayed him-and classmates who never let him forget it. When they meet, an unlikely friendship forms between two outsiders who refuse to stay invisible.
But the quiet corners where they've found belonging don't last. A sinister pattern emerges in their small town: kids vanish, rumors swirl, and the trail points to a glittering local casino hiding something darker than anyone dares to admit. Piper's instincts tell her to run, while Slater's need to prove himself pulls him deeper into the shadows. Together, they uncover evidence of a human trafficking ring operating in plain sight.
Exposing the truth could save lives-but it will also make them targets. In a world that has already labeled them as broken, Piper and Slater must decide if they're willing to risk everything to protect those who can't fight back.
Some Species of Outsider-ness is a raw and gripping young adult novel that blends the urgency of a thriller with the heart of a coming-of-age story. It confronts stigma, resilience, and the power of unlikely alliances in the face of danger-reminding us that sometimes the greatest strength comes from standing together, even on the edges.
Key Themes:
- Mental health, disability, and resilience
- Bullying and the power of outsider identity
- Human trafficking and hidden dangers in everyday places
- Found family, courage, and speaking truth to power
For readers of: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson and Sadie by Courtney Summers.
