{"product_id":"alex-by-proxy","title":"Alex, by Proxy","description":"\n\u003ctable align=\"center\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"productDetailSmallElements\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Quotes\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA suspenseful read for true crime and podcast enthusiasts. . . . Recommended for middle and high school collections. \n\u003cbr\u003e--School Library Journal (starred review) \n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e[D]ebut author Cantor writes sensitively about serious topics like factitious disorder imposed on another (formerly known as Munchausen by proxy), mental illness, familial rupture, and friendship conflicts. . . . An intense spin on true-crime podcast stories that reels readers in. \n\u003cbr\u003e--Kirkus Reviews \n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eCantor's empathetic portrayal of mental health makes her an exciting new name in the YA mystery space. \n\u003cbr\u003e--Booklist \n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA poignant tale of reclaiming one's agency through a strong narrative voice and a protagonist I was rooting for from the first chapter. \n\u003cbr\u003e--Blair Hanson, author of America's Not-So-Sweetheart\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBiographical Note\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKaren Myna Cantor is a mapmaker and former environmental scientist who spent lots of time in a town notorious for \"Florida Man\" stories. She now lives in Maryland and writes books for teens, drawing upon her experiences of mental illness and growing up queer in the South. \n\u003ci\u003eAlex, by Proxy\u003c\/i\u003e is her debut novel. Find her online @karenmcantor.bsky.social\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher Marketing\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eA Munchausen by proxy victim reveals his deepest secrets on a true-crime podcast--but will his audience believe him, let alone his loved ones?\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ci\u003eHARROWING NEW DETAILS IN 'MONSTER MOMMY' CASE. . . SHOCKING INFORMATION SURFACES AS 'MONSTER MOMMY' CASE HEADS TO TRIAL. . . HOW COULD A MOTHER POISON HER SON? \u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWelcome to sixteen-year-old Alex's life, ripped straight from the headlines. \n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAlex is a victim of Munchausen by proxy, but he's also a witty, sarcastic kid with unusually good crossword skills and a penchant for astronomy. At least he used to be. Now that he's recovered from years of illness induced by his mother, he sort of has to figure out who he is all over again. . . And most importantly, he'll have to decide if he can testify against the woman who gave birth to him. \n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAs Alex awaits the trial, his friends convince him to start a podcast as a way to tell his story. Together, they create \"Lethal Lullaby.\" The podcast brings Alex closer to his old life--hanging out with friends, cracking jokes, having fun. . . At the same time, new memories surface and disturbing revelations come out, forcing Alex to acknowledge that the podcast could be making things worse. It seems like he's got deeper issues than he'd like to admit-and this time, he can't blame them on his mom. \n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eDay by day, Alex's mental health crumbles, until he can no longer distinguish between truth and fiction. Should he trust himself to testify? And if he gets up there, what version of the truth will he share? \n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThis breathtaking YA debut is perfect for fans of \n\u003ci\u003eSadie \u003c\/i\u003eand \n\u003ci\u003eThe Act\u003c\/i\u003e. Come for the can't-look-away take on true crime, stay for the honest portrayal of mental illness.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"italic\"\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/span\u003e 04\/01\/2026 pg. 78 (EAN 9780823461165, Hardcover) - *Starred Review\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"italic\"\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/span\u003e 05\/01\/2026 (EAN 9780823461165, Hardcover)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"italic\"\u003eBulletin of Ctr for Child Bks\u003c\/span\u003e 06\/01\/2026 (EAN 9780823461165, Hardcover)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"italic\"\u003eBooklist\u003c\/span\u003e 05\/01\/2026 (EAN 9780823461165, Hardcover)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n","brand":"Holiday House","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51496242872598,"sku":"9780823461165","price":23.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0857\/9910\/8886\/files\/9780823461165.jpg?v=1783058013","url":"https:\/\/lusper.myshopify.com\/products\/alex-by-proxy","provider":"Lusperbooks","version":"1.0","type":"link"}