Looking for Group

One of TeenVogue.com's 10 Best Queer Books to Check Out: “Looking for Group is a road trip book that ends with a punch to the gut. Warning: this is a book that will make you cry.”

Rory Harrison’s beautiful novel about identity, home, and fresh starts recounts one boy’s quest to discover a world where he can thrive, one adventure at a time.

Dylan doesn’t have a lot of experience with comfort. His room in the falling-down Village Estates can generously be categorized as squalid, and he sure isn’t getting any love from his mother, who seemed to—no, definitely did—enjoy the perks that went along with being the parent of a “cancer kid.”

His only escape has been in the form of his favorite video game—World of Warcraft—and the one true friend who makes him feel understood, even if it is just online: Arden. And now that Dylan is suddenly in remission, he wants to take Arden on a real mission, one he never thought he’d live to set out on: a journey to a mysterious ship in the middle of the Salton Sea.

But Arden is fighting her own battles, ones that Dylan can’t always help her win. As they navigate their way west, they grapple with Arden's father (who refuses to recognize his daughter’s true gender), Dylan’s addiction, and the messy, complicated romance fighting so hard to blossom through the cracks of their battle-hardened hearts.

Two online friends on a real-life quest. What could possibly go wrong?

• A Cross-Country Road Trip: From Baltimore to the Salton Sea, Dylan and Arden are on a mission to find a legendary ghost ship, hoping to find themselves along the way.
• Found Family: He's a cancer survivor and she's his only friend from World of Warcraft. In the real world, their bond is the only thing they can count on.
• Gritty, Honest, and Real: This unflinching story tackles addiction, parental neglect, and the courage it takes for a transgender teen to be herself.
• A Heartbreaking Romance: A complicated, messy, and beautiful love story between two outsiders who might be the only ones who can save each other—or break each other completely.

LOOKING FOR GROUP FOR THE QUEST OF A LIFETIME

Dylan doesn’t have a lot of experience with comfort. His room in the falling-down Village Estates can generously be categorized as “squalid,” and he sure as hell isn’t getting any love from his mother, who seemed to—no, definitely did—enjoy the perks that went along with being the parent of a “cancer kid.”

Now that Dylan’s suddenly in remission, all he’s left with is a lingering OxyContin addiction and a hunger for something—anything—but the life he’s known.

His only escape has been in the form of his favorite video game—World of Warcraft—and the one true friend who makes him feel understood even if it’s just online. Dylan met Arden playing Warcraft, and now he wants to take her on a real mission, one he never thought he’d live to set out on: a journey to a mysterious ship in the middle of the Salton Sea.

But Arden is fighting her own battles, ones that Dylan can’t always help her win. As they navigate their way west, they grapple with Arden’s father (who refuses to recognize his daughter’s true gender), Dylan’s addiction, and the messy, complicated romance fighting so hard to blossom through the cracks of their battle-hardened hearts.

“Boldly thrusts transgender issues into the spotlight in a way unheard of before. A satisfying read I’ll return to again and again.” - New York Times Bestselling Author Zac Brewer

“Harrison treats her characters with love and kindness, even when they’re not kind to themselves. This book is a triumph, allowing honesty, excitement, humor, and heart to step over gender and sexuality constraints and tell a beautiful story.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“The characters’ differences, desires, and perceptions, are captivating... The story could prompt spirited intergenerational book discussions.” - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

“Harrison’s writing is often lovely as she portrays Dylan’s kaleidoscopic emotions. Like that of David in Lisa Williamson’s The Art of Being Normal (2015), Dylan’s first-person narrative is deeply introspective and intense.” - Booklist

“Dylan’s narration, in taut paragraphs with white space between them, eloquently captures issues... This is a tender tale of love on the road.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Looking for Group is a road trip book that ends with a punch to the gut. Warning: this is a book that will make you cry.” - TeenVogue.com