You Will Call Me Drog

"Drog gives new meaning to the phrase 'hand-puppet' as he attaches his ancient self to a bewildered boy in this inventive tale of puppetry and empowerment." —Richard Peck, Newbury Medal–winning author of A Year Down Yonder

Parker is a normal sixth grader—or he was normal before the puppet. It's just an old hand puppet, sticking out of a garbage can, and even though Parker's best friend says leave it, Parker brings the puppet home and tries it on. Or maybe it tries him on. "You will call me Drog!" the puppet commands once they're alone. And now, no matter how hard Parker tries, he can't get Drog off his hand.

Drog is sarcastic, cruel, unpredictable, and loud—everything Parker isn't. Worse yet, no one believes that Drog—not Parker—is the one saying the outrageous things that get Parker into trouble. Then Drog starts sharpening his snarky wit on the most fragile parts of Parker's life—like his parents' divorce. Parker's shocked, but deep down he agrees with Drog a little. Perhaps Drog is saying things Parker wants to say after all. 

Maybe the only way to get rid of Drog is to truly listen to him.

"A riveting read." —Kathi Appelt, National Book Award–nominated author of The Underneath

"Strange, creepy, amazing!" —Kathleen Duey, National Book Award–nominated author of The Unicorn's Secret

"There is nothing else out there quite like this, and Cowing shifts fluidly from sensitive drama to startling violence to high comedy. . . . A unique look at speaking your mind." —Booklist

"A thoughtful coming-of-age story." —School Library Journal