All the Whys of Delilah's Demise

Winner of the 2026 Minnesota Author Project (Young Adult Fiction), a statewide award judged by librarians

Adulthood wasn't supposed to start like this—scapegoated for Delilah's murder, with no one to trust.

While an ice age swallows the world outside, New Seattle survives beneath its protective dome. Inside, life revolves around the People List, a measure of what others think of you. Everyone has a rank, the #1 spot is the prize, and a single misstep can lead to a downfall. Scottie's first year on the List isn't going well—she's stuck near the bottom, struggling to find a personal brand.

When attention finally comes her way, it's a disaster: Delilah, the town's longtime #1, falls from her balcony, and the blame for the deadly accident lands squarely on Scottie.

Except that it might have been murder. With her reputation sunk and only her AI chip, Cece, to confide in, Scottie races to uncover the truth. The List updates in a week. If she drops to last place, she'll be escorted to a town gate and exiled to the icy wasteland beyond the dome. That would mean leaving everything behind—her small circle of friends, a forbidden romance, the comfort of home.

One truth. A ticking clock. Zero chance to hide.

Includes book club discussion questions.