The Great American Whatever

“The Great American Whatever knocked me out. Tim Federle writes with a rare voice — original, authentic, engaging.” – Rob Thomas, author of Rats Saw God and creator of Veronica Mars“A raw nerve of a book—so perfectly tender and funny and true. My heart now belongs to The Great American Whatever. Officially. Completely.” – Becky Albertalli, author of Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda*“Federle’s first foray into YA is an accomplished effort, dramatic and distinguished by carefully developed, appealing characters… whimsical, wry, and unfailingly funny.” * Booklist, starred review “A Holden Caulfield for a new generation.” * Kirkus Reviews, starred review *“The mix of vulnerability, effervescence, and quick wit in Quinn’s narration will instantly endear him to readers.” * Publishers Weekly “Even under the weight of grief, Quinn’s conversational and charming narrative voice effervesces, mixing humor and vulnerability in typical Federle style.” * School Library Journal, starred review *“Recommended for mature teens who want to be inspired.” * VOYA *“Federle’s YA debut takes its place in the lineage of Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower and John Green’s coming-of-age tales.” * Horn Book Magazine “What sets this fantastic novel apart is Quinn’s brilliantly realized, often hilarious first-person voice, from laugh-out-loud asides to heart-wrenching admissions…Charming and imaginative.” * Shelf Awareness, starred review *“Federle has triumphed. He’s written a moving tale about grief that’s also laugh-out-loud funny.” * The New York Times Book Review *

Tim Federle is the showrunner and executive producer of High School Musical: the Musical: the Series, which he created for Disney+. His novels include the New York Times Notable Book Better Nate Than Ever and its Lambda Literature Award–winning sequel—which Lin-Manuel Miranda called “a wonderful evocation of what it’s like to be a theater kid” (New York Times). A film adaptation of Nate, written and directed by Federle, will premiere on Disney+ in spring 2022. The film stars Aria Brooks, Joshua Bassett, Lisa Kudrow, and Rueby Wood as Nate. Tim’s hit series of cocktail recipe books, including Tequila Mockingbird, have sold over half a million copies worldwide. He cowrote the Broadway musical adaptation of Tuck Everlasting and won the Humanitas Prize for cowriting the Golden Globe and Academy Award–nominated Best Animated Feature Ferdinand, starring John Cena and Kate McKinnon. A former Broadway dancer, Tim was born in San Francisco, grew up in Pittsburgh, and now divides his time between Los Angeles and the internet.