Rebecca Caprara

Twelve-year-old Collin has a plan to survive any worst-case scenario. Avalanche? No problem. Riptide? Stay calm. He’s 100% prepared for every disaster…except maybe his home life.
 

Everyone called it a fluke when Collin’s mom died in a car accident. But twelve-year-old Collin wonders what might’ve happened if someone had been better prepared. So now he keeps a worst-case scenario handbook, outlining how to overcome everything from avalanches to riptides to a bad case of halitosis. It’s no wonder his hilarious and loyal best friends, Liam and Georgia, nickname him Worst-Case Collin. But there’s no chapter in Collin’s handbook about how to avoid bullies at school, or how to hide his dad’s troubling hoarding habits from everyone. When everything builds to a breaking point, Collin must figure out his own best-case scenario.

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READING & DISCUSSION GUIDE available for download here

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Add Worst-Case Collin on Goodreads here

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ADVANCE PRAISE & REVIEWS

 

"A touching and believable story of getting through to the other side of a terrible time."

—The Horn Book Magazine

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"While Collin’s problems are heavy, Caprara gives him an accessible voice, even managing to imbue humor into the story alongside the many serious moments. Many of the poems are lyrical, flowing free verse, while others play with form. Interspersed beside the poems are Collin’s lists from his notebook. Together these elements provide an intimate look into his life and struggles. A note on hoarding and mental health is included. Poignant, timely, and altogether affecting."

—Kirkus Reviews

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"Collin’s journey is a testament to the strength of true friendship.”

—Padma Venkatraman, award-winning author of The Bridge Home

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“Caprara has done an incredible job of showing grief and resilience in the poems that tell Collin’s story. Highly recommended.”

—Victoria Whipple, Educator

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“This was so beautifully done in verse and great for late elementary through sweet spot middle grade and on into early teen. Couldn’t put it down and definitely teared up at end.”

—Sarah Ressler Wright, ALAN21 President, NBCT English teacher & librarian

 

“A heartwarming book about family, friendship, and grief. It made me laugh as well as tear up! Such a great springboard for classroom discussions to help educate students on the medical condition of hoarding and reduce the stigma attached.”

—Cindy Schwind, Reading interventionist K–12, #BookPosse member

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"A beautifully written book which explores themes linked to grief, compulsive hoarding disorder, neglect and mental illness – but it also has lighter moments, interesting survival strategies (linked to the narrative) and heartwarming friendships. I recommend this poignant, deeply empathetic, accessible verse novel to middle grade students and up. It will be a popular addition to our library."

—Alice V., Educator

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"Collin's story is sure to be a light in the darkness."

—Wanda S., Librarian