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Can playing dead bring you back to life? Maybe only on Dead Wednesday.... On this day the worlds of a shy boy and a gone girl collide, and the connection they make will change them both forever. A brilliant new novel from the Newbery Medal winner and author of the New York Times best seller Stargirl.

"Jerry Spinelli has created another middle grade masterpiece." (BookPage, starred review)

On Dead Wednesday, every eighth-grader in Amber Springs is assigned the name and identity of a teenager who died a preventable death in the past year. The kids don black shirts, and for the whole day everyone in town pretends they're invisible - as if they weren't even there. The adults think it will make them contemplate their mortality. The kids know it's a free pass to get away with anything. 

Worm Tarnauer feels invisible every day. He's perfectly happy being the unnoticed sidekick of his friend Eddie. So he's not expecting Dead Wednesday to feel that different. But he didn't count on being assigned Becca Finch (17, car crash). And he certainly didn't count on Becca showing up to boss him around! Letting this girl into his head is about to change everything.

This is the story of the unexpected, heartbreaking, hilarious, truly epic day when Worm Tarnauer discovers his own life.

Journey into the captivating world of Dead Wednesday, a spellbinding novel by the acclaimed author Jerry Spinelli. Set in the tranquil town of Manhasset, New York, this story unfolds on a seemingly ordinary Wednesday afternoon when something extraordinary occurs - the town's electricity vanishes.

As the power grid fails, the lives of the town's residents are thrown into disarray. Streetlights flicker out, computers shut down, and the hum of modern life is replaced by an eerie silence. Amidst this technological breakdown, a group of middle school students find themselves reluctantly thrust into the forefront of a crisis.

Meet Rafe Khatchadorian, an imaginative and inquisitive boy with a knack for getting into trouble. Along with his best friend, Benny "Fudge" Fudge, they embark on an unforgettable adventure to navigate the challenges of a town without power. But the darkness reveals more than just the absence of electricity; it uncovers hidden truths and exposes the vulnerabilities of the community.

As Rafe and Fudge explore the transformed town, they encounter a diverse cast of characters grappling with their own struggles. From the enigmatic Miss Oswald, the school's eccentric librarian, to the enigmatic Cameron, a new girl with a mysterious past, each person's life intertwines in unexpected ways.

With each passing day, the town's resources dwindle, and tensions rise. Rafe and his friends witness firsthand the resilience and unity of their community as they come together to face the crisis. Through acts of kindness and shared experiences, they discover the true meaning of friendship and the importance of human connection in times of adversity.

Jerry Spinelli masterfully weaves a tale that explores the complexities of human nature and the power of hope in the face of adversity. Dead Wednesday is a coming-of-age story that captures the essence of growing up, learning from mistakes, and embracing the beauty of imperfection.

Delve into the pages of Dead Wednesday and embark on a literary journey that will stay with you long after you finish reading. This captivating novel is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the remarkable ability of a community to overcome challenges together.