Bright Lights, Dark Nights

A story about first love, first fights, and finding yourself in a messed up world, from Stephen Emond, acclaimed author of Happyface.

Walter Wilcox has never been in love. That is, until he meets Naomi, and sparks, and clever jokes, fly. But when his cop dad is caught in a racial profiling scandal, Walter, who is white, and Naomi, who is African American, are called out at school, home, and online. Can their bond (and mutual love of the Foo Fighters) keep them together?

With black-and-white illustrations throughout and a heartfelt, humorous voice, Stephen Emond’s Bright Lights, Dark Nights authentically captures just how tough first love can be…and why it’s worth fighting for.

This book is really good, you guys. –Mariko Tamaki, cocreator of the New York Times-bestselling and Printz and Caldecott Honor Book This One Summer

Bright Lights, Dark Nights is a poignant story of real life crashing into true love. Emond uses his trademark mix of illustration and storytelling in a tale about a young couple trying to cope with racial inequality, police corruption, and America’s continued struggle to see the person beneath their color. –Michael Buckley, author of the New York Times-bestselling series NERDS and Undertow

Honest, authentic, and kind. –Faith Erin Hicks, creator of Friends with Boys

Timely and realistic. –VOYA, starred review

First love, racism, family strife, and the Internet’s culture of anonymous cruelty are some of the many themes explored in this illustrated novel by Happyface author Emond. –Kirkus Reviews, starred review