The Half-Life of Planets by Emily Frannkllin and Brendan Halpin 247 pages

Alternating first-person narratives written by two young adult authors convey two very different characters who meet and tentatively build a relationship together. Liana Planet has a perhaps undeserved reputation as school slut (someone actually puts a SLUT note in her locker). Hank has Asperger's syndome and a passion for music but is unable to express himself or understand social cues. Both have unresolved father issues; her father has medical problems and his father, also afflicted with Asperger's syndrome died a few years ago. Both desperately want to redesign themselves and escape from the boxes / labels put on them by others. A bit slow in the beginning, but what at first seems rather superficial gains depth and meaning. These are characters worth meeting.