In the tradition of Rainbow Rowell and Jandy Nelson, a powerful, big-hearted journey of furious friendship, crazy love, and unexpected hope

“Troubled.” That’s seventeen-year-old Genesis according to her small New Jersey town. She finds refuge and stability in her relationship with her boyfriend, Peter—until he abandons her at a Planned Parenthood clinic during their appointment to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. The betrayal causes Gen to question everything.

As Gen pushes herself forward to find her new identity without Peter, she must also confront her most painful memories. Through the lens of an ongoing four act play within the novel, the fantasy of their undying love unravels line by line, scene by scene. Digging deeper into her past while exploring the underground theater world of New York City, she rediscovers a long forgotten dream. But it’s when Gen lets go of her history, the one she thinks she knows, that she’s finally able to embrace the complicated, chaotic true story of her life, and take center stage.

Aftercare Instructions, an electric, format-crushing debut, full of heart and hope, follows Gen on a big-hearted journey from dorm rooms to diners to underground theaters—and ultimately, right into readers' hearts.

What people are saying

A Barnes & Noble Most Anticipated YA Debut of 2017

Bustle’s 15 Obsession Worthy YA Contemporary Novels Hitting Shelves in 2017

Publishers Lunch Buzz Books

“With Aftercare Instructions, Bonnie Pipkin offers a mighty, innovative, and (often painfully) real debut. Its construction—the present day in prose, the backstory in screenplay—amps up the ticking clock, making it nearly impossible to put down. Readers may experience joy, heartache, and everything in between.”
—David Arnold, New York Times bestselling author of Kids of Appetite and Mosquitoland

“Aftercare Instructions is an illuminating, beautiful portrait of a brave and troubled girl with a brave, brave heart. Moving, authentic, timely.”
—Kathleen Glasgow, New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces

“A raw, riveting story of love and family and the strength to stay standing when both begin to crumble. Bonnie Pipkin never flinches, and the result is a novel as powerful as it is essential.”
—Robin Wasserman, author of Girls on Fire

“Bonnie Pipkin presents more than a novel, but a confident and exciting writing career.”
—New York Times bestselling and three-time Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Rita Williams-Garcia

“With quiet subtle power, Bonnie Pipkin does not shy away from portraying the harsh realities of what can happen in the aftermath of a hard decision. Aftercare Instructions is a heart wrenching story that will touch and resonate with so many young adult readers.”
—Printz Award winner and National Book Award Finalist An Na

“Do I have any criticisms? None.”
—Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winner Tim Wynne-Jones