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The Field Guide to the North American Teenager

by Ben Philippe

Other authors: See the other authors section.

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
4571854,596 (3.79)6
Humor (Fiction.) Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. HTML:

William C. Morris YA Debut Award Winner!

A hilarious YA contemporary realistic novel about a witty Black French Canadian teen who moves to Austin, Texas, and experiences the joys, clichés, and awkward humiliations of the American high school experienceâ??including falling in love. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon, When Dimple Met Rishi, and John Green.

Norris Kaplan is clever, cynical, and quite possibly too smart for his own good. A Black French Canadian, he knows from watching American sitcoms that those three things don't bode well when you are moving to Austin, Texas.

Plunked into a new high school and sweating a ridiculous amount from the oppressive Texas heat, Norris finds himself cataloging everyone he meets: the Cheerleaders, the Jocks, the Loners, and even the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. Making a ton of friends has never been a priority for him, and this way he can at least amuse himself until it's time to go back to Canada, where he belongs.

Yet against all odds, those labels soon become actual people to Norris...like loner Liam, who makes it his mission to befriend Norris, or Madison the beta cheerleader, who is so nice that it has to be a trap. Not to mention Aarti the Manic Pixie Dream Girl, who might, in fact, be a real love interest in the making.

But the night of the prom, Norris screws everything up royally. As he tries to pick up the pieces, he realizes it might be time to stop hiding behind his snarky opinions and start living his lifeâ??along with the people who have found their way into his hea… (more)

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» See also 6 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 18 (next | show all)
I guess we'll never know if he's "not a completely unredeemable ***hole." There are good signs to his conversion, however. ( )
  Jeffrey_G | Nov 22, 2022 |
Norris has to do a lot of adjusting after his move from Canada to Texas. A Black French Canadian, he's a hockey player, a smart ass, and what he knows about Texas is limited to stereotypes and American high schools as portrayed in the media. He can't keep his mouth shut and his outsider stance is quickly flipped as he befriends a cheerleader and has her giving him advice to date the girl he sets his sights on, Aarty. It's funny, cringy, and an enjoyable read. ( )
  ewyatt | Jul 29, 2022 |
Evergreen Bk Award nominee 2022: Very snarky, humorous narrative of black Canadian teen traveling from Montreal, Canada (divorce, dad stays mom moves) going to Austin TX where his mom has new college teaching job. Lots of heart - year in the life sort of story. ( )
  BDartnall | Apr 17, 2022 |
Norris Kaplan moves from Canada to Austin, Texas because his mother has received a job offer at the University in Austin. At first, Norris is extremely reluctant to acclimate to the new school and prefers to spend time alone only looking forward to the vacation he has coming back up to Canada. Then through an act of bullying, Norris is defended by a bunch of Cheerleaders by Aarti with whom he immediately falls in love. Norris decides to take a job at a local BBQ restaurant to cover the cost of airfare as his mother and he is lower middle class and ends up working with the owners' daughter who is one of the cheerleaders, Madison. This is a feel-good story that reads like a classic 90's high school drama. I ADORED Norris as the main character. He was witty and sarcastic without being overbearing. One of the best main characters that I have ever read. ( )
  HeidiSV | Feb 28, 2022 |
I would like to read more of this author because there's a lot of clever-funny going on here. But I am mystified by the decision to write this in 3rd person when the narrative screams 1st. ( )
  fionaanne | Nov 11, 2021 |
Showing 1-5 of 18 (next | show all)
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Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Ben Philippeprimary authorall editionscalculated
Allen, ChristinaCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Cunningham, MichelleCover designersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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To my mother, Belzie.

I would have made a terrible doctor, mom.

People would have died.
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Humor (Fiction.) Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. HTML:

William C. Morris YA Debut Award Winner!

A hilarious YA contemporary realistic novel about a witty Black French Canadian teen who moves to Austin, Texas, and experiences the joys, clichés, and awkward humiliations of the American high school experienceâ??including falling in love. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon, When Dimple Met Rishi, and John Green.

Norris Kaplan is clever, cynical, and quite possibly too smart for his own good. A Black French Canadian, he knows from watching American sitcoms that those three things don't bode well when you are moving to Austin, Texas.

Plunked into a new high school and sweating a ridiculous amount from the oppressive Texas heat, Norris finds himself cataloging everyone he meets: the Cheerleaders, the Jocks, the Loners, and even the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. Making a ton of friends has never been a priority for him, and this way he can at least amuse himself until it's time to go back to Canada, where he belongs.

Yet against all odds, those labels soon become actual people to Norris...like loner Liam, who makes it his mission to befriend Norris, or Madison the beta cheerleader, who is so nice that it has to be a trap. Not to mention Aarti the Manic Pixie Dream Girl, who might, in fact, be a real love interest in the making.

But the night of the prom, Norris screws everything up royally. As he tries to pick up the pieces, he realizes it might be time to stop hiding behind his snarky opinions and start living his lifeâ??along with the people who have found their way into his hea

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