The Calculus of Change

A poignant and empowering teen novel of grief, unrequited love, and finding comfort in one's own skin.

Aden isn't looking for love in her senior year. She's much more focused on things like getting a solo gig at Ike's and keeping her brother from illegal herbal recreation. But when Tate walks into Calculus class wearing a yarmulke and a grin, Aden's heart is gone in an instant.

The two are swept up in a tantalizingly warm friendship, complete with long drives with epic soundtracks and deep talks about life, love, and spirituality. With Tate, Aden feels closer to her mom—and her mom's faith—than she has since her mother died years ago. Everyone else—even Aden's brother and her best friend—can see their connection, but does Tate?

Navigating uncertain romance and the crises of those she loves, Aden must decide how she chooses to see herself and how to honor her mom’s memory.

• Friends to Lovers Romance: He’s the boy from Calculus class; she’s the musician with a crush. Long drives with epic soundtracks begin to blur the line between their deep friendship and something much more.
• A Poignant Unrequited Love Story: Aden is falling hard for Tate, but with another girl in the picture, she’s left wondering if he will ever see her as more than just a friend.
• Grief and Finding Yourself: More than just a love story, this is about a girl learning to honor her late mother’s memory, navigate her own body image, and find her voice—both on stage and off.
• A Journey into Jewish Faith: Through her connection with Tate, Aden explores the Jewish heritage her mother left behind, finding a new and unexpected way to feel close to the parent she lost.

"The protagonist is a realistic and sympathetic heroine whose struggles with body image, love, and family issues will resonate with teens." —School Library Journal   "Give this to readers who like the character-driven novels of authors such as Sarah Dessen, Sara Zarr, or Lauren Miracle."  —Booklist   "Full of heart." —Kirkus   "Short chapters, framed around Aden’s memories and interactions, leap from one challenge to the next in a way that makes the story a fast, engrossing read."--Publishers Weekly