By Ben Philippe

HarperCollins / Balzer + Bray

October 13, 2020

Fiction

Hardcover

ThemesHumourLove and Romance

Age / Grade 14-18 / Grades 9+

From the award-winning author of The Field Guide to the North American Teenager comes 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 Henri’s charms: his “intense” classmate and neighbor Corinne Troy. When she uncovers Henri’s 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. (Harper Collins)

Get to know Ben Philippe; a French Canadian YA author, born in Haiti, raised in Montreal, now living in NYC!. Join Hamilton’s own Ainara, of Ainara’s Bookshelf fame, as she peppers Ben with questions about his latest title, Charming as a Verb.

Jerseyville Stage Educators Guide including Charming As A Verb