Books by Ben Philippe

From the award-winning author of The Field Guide to the North American Teenagercomes a whip-smart and layered romantic comedy. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Jenny Han. Henri Halti Haltiwanger can charm just about anyone. He is a star debater and popular student at the prestigious FATE academy, the dutiful first-generation Haitian son, and the trusted dog walker for his wealthy New York City neighbors. But his easy smiles mask a burning ambition to attend his dream college, Columbia University. There is only one person who seems immune to Henris charms: his intense classmate and neighbor Corinne Troy. When she uncovers Henris less-than-honest dog-walking scheme, she blackmails him into helping her change her image at school. Henri agrees, seeing a potential upside for himself. Soon what started as a mutual hustle turns into something more surprising than either of them ever bargained for. . . . This is a sharply funny and insightful novel about the countless hustles we have to keep from doing the hardest thing: being ourselves.

When Norris, a Black French Canadian, starts his junior year at an Austin, Texas, high school, he views his fellow students as clichZs from "a bad 90s teen movie."