The Scattering

New York Times bestselling author Kimberly McCreight raises the stakes in the second book of the heart-pounding Outliers trilogy, a uniquely speculative story about secrets, betrayal, and a world where one small group of people are blessed—or cursed—with an incredible power.

Wylie may have escaped the camp in Maine, but she is far from safe. The best way for her to protect herself is to understand her ability, fast. But after spending a lifetime trying to ignore her own feelings, giving in to her ability to read other peoples’ emotions is as difficult as it is dangerous.

And Wylie isn’t the only one at risk. Ever since they returned home, Jasper has been spiraling, wracked with guilt over what happened to Cassie. After all they’ve been through together, Wylie and Jasper would do anything for each other, but she doesn’t know if their bond is strong enough to overcome demons from the past.

It is amid this uncertainty and fear that Wylie finds herself confronted with a choice. She was willing to do whatever it took to help Cassie, but is she prepared to go to the same extremes to help complete strangers . . . even if they are just like her?

• The Outliers Trilogy Continues: The high-stakes adventure picks up right where the first book left off, with Wylie and Jasper in more danger than ever before.
• A Desperate Fight for Survival: She may have escaped the camp, but Wylie is far from safe. On the run from forces she doesn’t understand, she must master her powers or be consumed by them.
• Secrets and Lies: Jasper is spiraling, tormented by what happened to Cassie. Their bond is the only thing keeping them afloat—but it might not be enough to save them from the past.
• A High-Stakes Choice: Wylie discovers she’s not alone. But helping the other Outliers could mean exposing them all to an even greater danger, a choice that will test her courage to its limits.

“The Scattering” is breathlessly fast-paced and enticingly suspenseful.” - Washington Post

“At a breakneck pace, ‘The Outliers’ grabs and doesn’t let go.” - Lisa Ko, author of The Leavers

“Bestselling author McCreight makes her YA debut with a heart-pounding thriller that ends on a cliffhanger…This fast-paced thriller will have readers pinned to their seats with all the twists and turns in the second half.” - Bustle

“Bestselling author McCreight makes her YA debut with a heart-pounding thriller that ends on a cliffhanger…This fast-paced thriller will have readers pinned to their seats with all the twists and turns in the second half.” - Booklist

“McCreight (Where They Found Her) crafts a tense, atmospheric narrative that sends the teens reeling from one surprise after another.” - Publishers Weekly

“McCreight keeps readers guessing as Wylie gets tangled in a web of lies, betrayal and dangerous secrets. And it is on only the beginning.” - NY Daily News

“The Outliers is a gripping read—sometimes flat-out scary—and an exciting start to a new YA mystery/thriller series. ” - BookPage

“McCreight’s book is an edge of the seat page turner. Her ability to get at the core of what it means to be a friend, a girl, a human being in this society is at once thoughtful and dead on.” - Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award winning author of Brown Girl Dreaming

“An exhilarating novel that unfolds at warp speed, Kimberly McCreight’s THE OUTLIERS tracks two teenagers into the remote and unpredictable woods of Maine as they risk everything to find their missing friend. With shocking discoveries at every bend and shifty characters who change on a dime, THE OUTLIERS was unputdownable, its final words leaving me with chills and an insatiable need for more.” - Mary Kubica, bestselling author of The Good Girl and Pretty Baby

“A spellbinding thriller that keeps you guessing until the very last page.” - Sara Shepard, bestselling author of Pretty Little Liars

“THE OUTLIERS is a fast-paced, emotional, and darkly compelling novel with an ending that works like a catapult. I can’t wait to find out what McCreight has hidden up her sleeves!” - Julianna Baggott, bestselling author of Harriet Wolf's Seventh Book of Wonder and the Pure trilogy

“Original and wholly addictive, The Outliers is a heart-pounding mystery that will leave readers desperate for the next book.” - Suzanne Young, bestselling author of The Program

“This first book in a planned trilogy moves at a rapid pace and is action-packed from the start....Wylie’s struggles with grief and a difficult relationship with her best friend mold her into a multilayered character who captures the reader’s sympathy.” - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)