Paul’s Acampora’s latest middle grade novel, In Honor of Broken Things, is out now from Dial Books for Young Readers.

Three unlikely friends become partners in heartbreak and hope during a middle school pottery class in this powerful, poignant novel--perfect for fans of Gordon Korman and Lynda Mullaly Hunt.

At West Beacon Middle School, eighth graders Oscar Villanueva, Ellie Baptiste, and Noah Wright become unlikely friends during Introduction to Clay class. Oscar, a football star, just lost his little sister to cancer. Ellie's been dragged away from Philadelphia by her single mom to a new life in West Beacon, a tiny Pennsylvania coal town that's smaller than Ellie's old school. Noah's spent his whole life as a homeschooler and just started West Beacon Middle School as a result of his parents' train wreck of a divorce. Through art, football, failure, faith, and trust, the friends help one another to piece things back together again. In true friendship, they also discover that some injuries may never heal, some things can never be unbroken--and that's okay too.

PRAISE for In Honor of Broken Things: 

“Writing with insight and wit, Acampora portrays teens and adults as complicated, sometimes surprising people.” –Booklist

"This book is a solid story of friendship…in a world of upheaval.” –School Library Journal

“Reminiscent of Gary D. Schmidt’s sparse writing style, this book...shows that true friendship truly does have the power to heal...a fine testament to kindness, friendship...Recommended."”–School Library Connection