From the New York Times–bestselling author of The Leftovers: “Darkly tender, simply written tales about growing up in the Garden State in the 1970s.” —The New York Times Book Review The ten rich stories here span from 1969 to 1980 and are linked by a single protagonist: Buddy, an adolescent suburban New Jersey boy who is truly seeing his world for the first time and already finding it both mysterious and lacking. Whether he’s discovering that his mother actually knows—and has a history with—the man inside the battered foam hot dog costume; feeling the first glimmer that sex might actually be possible for him; or finding himself swept along on a prank gone very wrong, Buddy is a recognizable and relatable American boy in this collection by the author of Tracy Flick Can’t Win, Mrs. Fletcher, and The Abstinence Teacher, among other novels. Bad Haircut explores the themes that have fascinated Perrotta throughout his career: suburban rituals and mores; sports and religion; the cheerful cheesiness of American consumer life; public tests of manliness; and the moral dilemmas faced by ordinary people, parents, and teenagers alike. “So sharp and sure in its description of growing up . . . Because this set of stories, like those of J.D. Salinger, are so based in the kind of truth that spans generations, no reference to a particular decade is needed.” —Hartford Courant “More powerful than any coming-of-age novel I’ve read recently.” —The Washington Post “[These] well-made, unpretentious stories are as tight as brick bungalows, plain and serviceable on the outside, radiant within, full of life’s sorrow and wonder.” —Booklist

They say his clothes blend into the background, no matter where he stands. They say a lot of things about the Schwa, but one thing’s for sure: no one ever noticed him. Except me. My name is Antsy Bonano, and I was the one who realized the Schwa was “functionally invisible” and used him to make some big bucks. But I was also the one who caused him more grief than a friend should. So if you all just shut up and listen, I’ll tell you everything there is to know about the Schwa, from how he got his name, to what really happened with his mom. I’ll spill everything. Unless, of course, “the Schwa Effect” wipes him out of my brain before I’m done….

Meet Eva and Sadie in debut picture book author Jeff Cohen's Eva and Sadie and the Worst Haircut EVER! The book was inspired by the viral recording of NPR reporter Jeff interviewing his two little girls explaining the worst haircut ever. When big sister Sadie notices Eva's hair is just too long and getting out of control, she decides to take matters into her own hands. When the haircut is over and there's a pile of hair on the floor, Sadie realizes she may have done something wrong. What will Eva and Sadie's parents say? Will they be able to fix the worst haircut ever? With beautiful illustrations from Elanna Allen, young readers will love reading a story based on a real-life sister act! In the same vein as Fancy Nancy, the fun and creativity of sibling relationships shine through in this sweet tale of cutting hair and learning lessons.

"This book was originally published by Bridge Works Publishing Co.,Bridgehampton, New York [in 1994]."--Title page vers

The political humorist shares his transformation from dirty hippie to conservative middle-aged grouch: “An incorrigible comic gift” (The New York Times Book Review). The #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Give War a Chance was at one time a raving pinko, with scars on his formerly bleeding heart to prove it. In Age and Guile: Beat Youth, Innocence, and a Bad Haircut, P. J. O’Rourke chronicles the remarkable trajectory that took him from the lighthearted fun of the revolutionary barricades to the serious business of the nineteenth hole. How did the O’Rourke of 1970, who summarized the world of “grown-ups” as “materialism, sexual hang-ups, the Republican party, uncomfortable clothes, engagement rings, car accidents, Pat Boone, competition, patriotism, cheating, lying, ranch houses, and TV” come to be in favor of all of those things? What caused his metamorphosis from a beatnik-hippie type comfortable sleeping on dirty mattresses in pot-addled communes during his days as a writer for assorted “underground” papers? Here, O’Rourke shows how his socialist idealism and avant-garde aesthetic tendencies were cured, and how he acquired a healthy and commendable interest in national defense, balanced budgets, Porsches, and Cohiba cigars. From a former editor-in-chief of National Lampoon and frequent NPR guest, this hilarious essay collection shows that there’s hope for all those suffering from acute bohemianism.

Eight-year-old J.D. turns a tragic home haircut into a thriving barber business in this hilarious new illustrated chapter book series J.D. has a big problem--it's the night before the start of third grade and his mom has just given him his first and worst home haircut. When the steady stream of insults from the entire student body of Douglass Elementary becomes too much for J.D., he takes matters into his own hands and discovers that, unlike his mom, he's a genius with the clippers. His work makes him the talk of the town and brings him enough hair business to open a barbershop from his bedroom. But when Henry Jr., the owner of the only official local barbershop, realizes he's losing clients to J.D., he tries to shut him down for good. How do you find out who's the best barber in all of Meridian, Mississippi? With a GREAT BARBER BATTLE! From the hilarious and creative mind of J. Dillard, an entrepreneur, public speaker, and personal barber, comes a new chapter book series with characters that are easy to fall for and nearly impossible to forget. Akeem S. Roberts' lively illustrations make this series a must-buy for reluctant readers. 2021 New York Public Library Best Books 2021 Chicago Public Library Best Books 2021 School Library Journal Best Books 2022-2023 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List 2022 NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Honor

Going gray in your thirties is not easy. It's not what society says is right or OK. I wanted to share my journey with women all over the world and let you know by example that it's OK to be your authentic self no matter what society says. It's time to break the beauty rules Ladies and embrace your authentic self. It's time that we stop making excuses, stop being insecure and buying into the advertisements, glossy magazines, and commercials that only show women with colored hair. In this book, I will show you how to conquer your fear of the unknown and taboo world of going gray, build self-confidence that stands out in a crowd and embrace your authentic self. You will be one strong, fierce, bold woman ready to welcome your gorgeous gray once you finish this book. I will hold your hand through all of the emotional ups and downs because I have been there, I will give you the strength to keep moving forward when you are down and feeling "frumpy and old" I will pick you up and make you feel alive and beautiful again. Packed with self-assessments, humor, and grit. I will share my expert beauty secrets that will help you with your transition into new makeup color palettes, and of course, the best skin care and hair care tips to keep you on point. I am sharing interviews with real women that have gone gray and what their experiences have been and great advice for you in your gray hair journey. Sit back, get comfortable and celebrate yourself with one of my signature cocktails at the beginning of each chapter. I am not going to tell you that going gray will be an easy journey but I am here for you every step of the way, and together you will be able to get encouraging new advice that will allow you to push through the bumps in the uncomfortable gray road ahead. Are you ready to say YES to your gray hair journey? Well then, Ladies. Let's Get This Beauty Started.