Bodaciously True & Totally Awesome by Chris Orcutt

In February 1986, once-invisible sophomore Avery “Ace” Craig suddenly becomes the most magnetic guy at Hancock High. Armed with a Walkman and mixtapes packed with everything from AHa to ZZ Top, Avery charges toward manhood with confidence, charisma, and a genius IQ—but has no clue how to handle what’s next.

On a school trip to D.C., a handshake with President Reagan, a glimpse of his future, and a sexual awakening set off a chain reaction. Girls notice him, his hormones detonate, and his friends are clueless. With no adults to turn to, Ace must navigate the thrilling, terrifying terrain alone—with only a Boy Scout Handbook, his instincts, and a Princess Leia poster to guide him.

Bodaciously True & Totally Awesome, the product of ten years’ relentless craftsmanship and an immersive exploration of teen experience, takes a sensual and unflinching look at teenage relationships. A saga about the freedom, romance, and epic adventure of suburban life in Cold War America, Episode I: Bad Boy is for readers seeking a time machine back to the last great American decade.