“A winsome, hilarious tale about losing the map and finding a better way to a happy ending. I loved it!” —#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner
Seventeen-year-old Nora Holmes is an artist, a painter from the moment she could hold a brush. She inherited the skill from her grandfather, Robert, who's always nurtured Nora's talent and encouraged her to follow her passion. Still, Nora is shocked and elated when Robert offers her a gift: an all-expenses-paid summer trip to Europe to immerse herself in the craft and to study history's most famous artists. The only catch? Nora has to create an original piece of artwork at every stop and send it back to her grandfather. It's a no-brainer: Nora is in!
Unfortunately, Nora's mother, Alice, is less than thrilled about the trip. She worries about what the future holds for her young, idealistic daughter—and her opinions haven't gone unnoticed. Nora couldn't feel more unsupported by her mother, and in the weeks leading up to the trip, the women are as disconnected as they've ever been. But seconds after saying goodbye to Alice at the airport terminal, Nora hears a voice call out: "Wait! Stop! I'm coming with you!"
And . . . they’re off.
13 Little Blue Envelopes meets Gilmore Girls in this fun, funny, and bittersweet summer adventure from Observer writer and the hilarious voice behind @GuyInYourMFA, Dana Schwartz.
"A joyous contemporary YA novel by journalist and Guy in Your MFA Twitter mastermind Dana Schwartz, And We’re Off is a tale of travel, romance, and plenty of mother-daughter banter. That this will be the first book in a long line of delightful literature from wunderkind Schwartz seems inevitable and lovely." —Vulture (New York Magazine)
“And We’re Off is sure to steal your heart and inspire some serious wanderlust.”—HelloGiggles
"You haven't seen banter this quick—or a bond this tight—since Rory and Lorelai." —Seventeen
"[Schwartz] deftly mixes humor and tenderness....This funny, whimsical tome isn't easy to put down once you start." —Rolling Stone
"Funny, chock full of heart and wanderlust, And We're Off feels like traveling with a good friend. A fun debut with a superb voice." —Adi Alsaid, author of Let's Get Lost and Never Always Sometimes
“Fun, poignant, and funny. I want to travel with Dana, and after reading this, so will you.” —New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Maureen Johnson
“An engaging and heartfelt book. Dana Schwartz truly knows what it is to be young and talented.” —Mara Wilson, author of Where Am I Now?
"[Nora's] journey to understand who she is, both as a person and an artist, is rewarding, as is the evident love behind her grandfather’s assignments and advice." —Publishers Weekly
"It’s hard to beat a European holiday for vicarious fun. The up-to-the-minute details about travel in Europe make this an engaging, enjoyable, and even informational read." —Kirkus Reviews
"Nora’s European adventures, very real fears, and endlessly entertaining narration keep this exploration of what it means to be a creator, a friend, and a daughter firmly grounded, and readers will be happy to come along for the ride." —Booklist
"...nicely balanced with dry humor, delightful description, and a little bit of naughty pleasure...A fun choice for summer reading shelves." —School Library Journal
