Every Body Looking

A Finalist for the National Book Award

When Ada leaves home for her freshman year at a Historically Black College, it's the first time she's ever been so far from her family--and the first time that she's been able to make her own choices and to seek her place in this new world. As she stumbles deeper into the world of dance and explores her sexuality, she also begins to wrestle with her past--her mother's struggle with addiction, her Nigerian father's attempts to make a home for her. Ultimately, Ada discovers she needs to brush off the destiny others have chosen for her and claim full ownership of her body and her future.

"Candice Iloh's beautifully crafted narrative about family, belonging, sexuality, and telling our deepest truths in order to be whole is at once immensely readable and ultimately healing."--Jacqueline Woodson, New York Times Bestselling Author of Brown Girl Dreaming

"An essential--and emotionally gripping and masterfully written and compulsively readable--addition to the coming-of-age canon."--Nic Stone, New York Times Bestselling Author of Dear Martin

"This is a story about the sometimes toxic and heavy expectations set onthe backs of first-generation children, the pressures woven into the familydynamic, culturally and socially. About childhood secrets with sharp teeth. And ultimately, about a liberation that taunts every young person." --Jason Reynolds, New York Times Bestselling Author of Long Way Down

Author: Candice Iloh
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Published: 09/21/2021
Pages: 416
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.92lbs
Size: 8.32h x 5.59w x 1.13d
ISBN13: 9780525556220
ISBN10: 0525556222
BISAC Categories:
- Young Adult Fiction | Social Themes | Emigration & Immigration
- Young Adult Fiction | People & Places | United States | African American & Black
- Young Adult Fiction | Coming of Age

About the Author
Candice Iloh is a first generation Nigerian-American writer, teaching artist, and youth educator. She is a graduate of Howard University and holds an MFA in writing from Lesley University. Her work has earned fellowships from Lambda Literary and VONA among many others. Her debut novel, Every Body Looking, was a finalist for the National Book Award and earned a Michael L. Printz honor.