Green Eyes and Ham

Acceptance, understanding, and hope shine through in this heartfelt coming of age story by Eleven and Holding author Mary Penney, perfect for fans of Lindsey Stoddard and Lisa Graff.

After a lifetime of being homeschooled, Ham Hudson is hoping that a new year in a new school will help make him a whole new Ham. Instead, he’s saddled with an archnemesis to avoid, a confusing and exhausting social sphere to navigate, and a whole host of insecurities to add to his old ones.

But then Ham meets Micah. Sympathetic and effortlessly cool, Micah quickly becomes a lifeline in a strange world. Ham wants Micah to think he belongs—to want him around as much as Ham wants to be around him.

The more that Ham tries to fit in, the less he recognizes himself. When things start to unravel, Ham has to decide—is fitting in worth changing who he wants to be?
First Crush: Ham is drawn to the effortlessly cool Micah, whose friendship is a lifeline. But as their connection deepens, so do the secrets.Bullying and Belonging: As a formerly homeschooled kid—and the son of a priest—Ham becomes an easy target. He has to navigate new bullies and the overwhelming desire to finally fit in.Found Family: A heartfelt story about the unconditional love between a boy and the mom who adopted him, showing that family is more than what you’re born into.Being True to Yourself: A powerful coming-of-age journey that asks the tough questions: What happens when trying to be someone else makes you forget who you really are?