Chapter 1 CHAPTER 1
Zinnia

2024

THE HAZMAT TEAM LOVES ME.

I always skip the “we had an incident” pleasantries. They know there was an incident. Nobody calls hazmat while they’re having a picnic. I tell them exactly what they’ll find in the bathroom.

“Needles,” I say as I pull the steam lever, blasting this soy milk into foam with a hiss. “Blood and glass all over the floor.”

A heavy sigh comes through the receiver.

“Still don’t have a sharps container?” he asks.

“If you’ve got a free one lying around, Milo, I’ll install it myself.”

Oh yeah, the hazmat team also loves me because my best friend since Water Babies is among them.

Another, heavier sigh comes through the phone.

“Couldn’t you put up a sign?” he asks.

“What is it with you non–food service people thinking a sign will solve everything?” I grin at his logic. “Ever seen a ‘Please do not partake in illicit drugs on the premises’ sign? Think it would do any good?”

A third sigh.

We’ve known each other so long that I can read the different subtleties in them. This one says, begrudgingly, Fine and I’ll be over in a minute.

“You’re the best,” I return.

“And you’re going to be late.”

It takes me a second to realize what he’s talking about. I roll my eyes and glance at my watch.

“I’ve got four hours.”

“Two left in your shift.”

“Plenty of time.”

Hair. Makeup. Dress. Shoes. How long could that possibly take? It’s homecoming, not my wedding day. Besides, the real fun happens after homecoming.

No, not that.

I’ve registered for Harvard’s application and sent my guidance counselor a rough draft of my essay, and tonight I’m registering for the rest of them. All of them.

“Shouldn’t you be worried?” I ask. “You have a biohazard to clean, a shower to take, and a gift to get me.”

There’s a pause, just long enough to confirm that he forgot that last detail. We agreed weeks ago that we, the two singlest people in the whole school—me, the allo, too preoccupied with life to give a shit about romance, and Milo, the ace, uninterested in anything but books and boba tea—would get each other a homecoming gift. A token of our friendship. And in true Milo fashion, he hasn’t gotten mine yet.

Four hours out.

“How do you know I don’t have your gift?” he asks, clearing his throat.

“Because it’s you,” I say with love.

“There’s a good reason this time.”

“There’s always a good reason,” I say, and trill my voice along the chorus of Hoobastank’s most famous song, “?‘And the reason is youuuuuuuuu.’?”

“Stop,” he mutters through the receiver. “You’re making me want to take up vaping again.”

It’s such an outlandish suggestion that I know to write it off.

Besides, I should be more embarrassed than he is right now. He’s presumably at home, just him and his mom, and I’m standing in the middle of the Bean Rock Café belting out a song older than Facebook.

“Gotta go, my customers need me,” I whisper to him. “Love you, see you soon!”

Click!

I belt louder along with the music playing faintly overhead. I nod at Harlow, the girl at the register with curly red hair voluptuous enough to match mine in volume and double it in length.

She reaches into her pocket for her phone, and the music grows louder. Heads turn. The couple in the corner, Tam and Sam—who always sit in the same spot every Tuesday because it’s the only day they both have off work—look up at me. Sam lowers his head and pretends not to hear us, but Tam starts bobbing her head, nostalgia lighting up in her eyes.

“Let me guess. Oldies?” she asks. I nod. She shakes her head, exchanging a knowing glance with Sam.

Tam mouths along as Harlow and I lean in together and serenade everyone in here.

I hear more voices behind us now, and as the music swells, and I realize everyone is watching us, I grab the metal foam spoon, which makes a great mic in a pinch, and time it perfectly with the start of the chorus.

“?‘I just want you to knoooooow.’?” Hisssssss goes the steam wand. Now we’re all singing—everyone behind the counter—and I can’t think of a better pregame concert before my big night.

I twirl away from Harlow and flip the steam wand back off so we can all hear one another. We belt out the chorus, and I carefully scoop some grounds into the filter basket, tamp, click into place, and pull a couple of ristretto shots for the older lady swinging the door open now. Ruthie always prefers the ristretto, but she always forgets.

I don’t.

Mr. Lawry, dressed in another one of his wool herringbone suits, swipes his latte from the bar. He’s always in around this time, frowning, muttering, waiting for his twelve-ounce, nonfat, no-foam triple latte after ordering with a single word: “Latte.”

“Where’s the vanilla?” whispers Marybeth, the tiny girl to my right, stocking shelves even though it’s her second day. She’s probably never seen this kind of chaos behind the counter of a coffee shop, but at the Bean Rock Café, everything’s chaos, all the time. Just the way I like it.

I use the break between verses to whisper quickly, “Back cabinet, bottom shelf, oldest in the front,” and then sail smoothly back into the final next verse.

Harlow sings faithfully along with me, as most of the customers have gathered at the counters to join in the verse at the end. My heart soars as we all belt it out. Sure, I like this song. But these people—most of them a decade or two older than me—sing it like it stirs up memories from a loooong time ago. Well, maybe not that long ago, that isn’t exactly fair.

Since before I came around, at least. When did this song come out—’02, ’03? Way before I was born.

Wherever I was born.

“?‘A side of me you didn’t knoooooow.’”

Anyway, I don’t really need to know.

“?‘A reason for all that I doooooo.’?”

I have this coffee shop, where I have a perfect attendance record and know exactly where to find everything. I have my best friend, Milo, and I have my mom and dad, who have been with me through everything since the day they got me.

Three hours later, while I’m brushing lavender eye shadow over my upper lid, I hum the last line in my head: And the reason is youuuuu.

I observe my makeup in the mirror. Simple enough. Lavender eye shadow, black liner on top, white liner on bottom, and no foundation. No need to cover up my mark.

I run my fingers along it—the birthmark by the edge of my hairline. Some say it’s shaped like a fish. Others say it’s a heart. Me? I don’t really care. Whatever it is, it’s me-shaped.

“Happy homecoming,” says Milo. From the edge of my vision, I can see he’s holding out a colorful box. When I look and see the bright yellow ribbon piled high on top, I smile.

“A professional wrapping job? You shouldn’t have.”

He shrugs. “Just open it. Promise what’s inside will make up for the wrapping.”

“Nah-uh,” I say, scrambling for my secret drawer that’s not so secret to Milo. Just gossipy love notes and tampons in there. Nothing he hasn’t seen before. “Not till you have yours in hand first.” I pull out a box, lovingly wrapped in a hand-sewn cherry blossom furoshiki cloth.

“Show-off,” he says.

“Just taking care of the planet.”

“Making up for all those glittery plastic pieces in that eye shadow, huh?”

“Fuck off and open it,” I say, unable to hide the laughs bubbling up. I know his smiles, too. This one says, Ha, I win. But he opens the box anyway, and I watch, confident in my book-selecting skills.

He unties the cloth and crumples it up in his free hand, unaware that I took the time to iron it this morning. Definitely ironed it for me. I could’ve wrapped the book in a paper bag and Milo wouldn’t have cared, but if I give a gift and it doesn’t look perfect, I’m gonna have a problem.

“What’s it about?” he asks, still staring at the cover. But I can tell by the way his fingers run along the front that it’s a hit.

“Open it and see!”

“The Well,” he reads. “Sounds like a mystery. Maybe about a guy and a well?”

“Just read the back already,” I say, eager to open my gift. I weigh it in my hand. It’s huge. Pretty heavy, too. My shoulders are starting to sag from the weight of it.

“?‘Follow third-year medical resident Avery Weinstein as she journeys through the underground catacombs of Savannah, uncovering medical mysteries long forgotten in the era of the antebellum South.’?”

“So…? What do you think?”

He looks up at me after a long pause and shrugs. “Why’s it called The Well?”

“You’ll have to find out!” I say. He’s asking questions already. We’re off to a great start.

“Interesting.”

Even better.

“My turn!” I say, unable to hide my excitement any longer. I wedge my finger under the tape keeping the paper together, but my elbow-length white glove sticks to it. I yank the wrapping paper off so fast, Milo takes a step back to give me space to rip into my prey.

“Jesus Christ,” he says.

The minute the paper is off the front, my jaw drops.

I can’t breathe.

“Jodelle Rae West?” I ask. “She has a new book out? When were you going to tell me?”

“Right now,” he says.

I flip the book over, and my eyes fly faster than my brain can follow. I read the back out loud in what sounds like a single sentence—or maybe even a single word.

“?‘Jodelle Rae West makes her striking return to the blank page with Little Heart, spinning an enchanted tale of love, loss, and a father’s never-ending quest to find what’s truly important.’?”

Sounds… cliché.

But I can’t say that.

“Sounds…,” I start.

“Cliché?” he finishes.

Damn to hell my revealing face.

“I mean, not entirely—”

“Knew you’d think that. I know how you are about genre fiction. But read the first paragraph.”

I resist the temptation to roll my eyes and pull back the cover. I clear my throat, beginning my dramatic reading of whatever magic these pages are about to reveal.

“?‘It all started with a heart-shaped birthma—’?”

I stop reading and raise an eyebrow at him.

“Milo…?”

“Keep going,” he says.

I steel myself. Purely coincidence that this character has exactly the same birthmark as I do. But still, dope!

“?‘It all started with a heart-shaped birthmark. That’s what I remember most about her. Not her beating heart, for I hadn’t known it long. Not her heart of hearts, for I hadn’t known it at all.’?”

I pause before reading the next line.

“?‘I lost her far too soon.’?”

Reading Group Guide

This Book Might Be About Zinnia

By Brittney Morris

About the Book

In 2024, Zinnia learns her adoption story is too ordinary for her Harvard admission essay, so she sets out on a journey to find a more compelling story to write. When Zinnia reads a book about a lost princess with the same heart-shaped birthmark she has, the coincidences feel too real. Could the author be Zinnia’s birth mother?

In alternating chapters, readers follow Tuesday in 2006. Tuesday is mourning a loss that kept her out of high school for months. She writes in a journal during her work breaks at a cafe to process her trauma. When she loses her journal, her search leads to uncovering family secrets that could deeply impact Zinnia.

Discussion Questions

1. Zinnia is told her college essay lacks heart, yet Tuesday’s writing is full of emotion. Discuss each character’s writing process. How do they use writing as a tool and for what purpose?

2. Throughout the novel, songs overlap between the time periods. Choose a song from the book and analyze the different situations it comes up in between the timelines. How do the songs work to set the scene?

3. Whenever Zinnia talks about college, her friend Milo becomes visibly upset. Why does he feel this way? In what ways can you relate to either character?

4. Tuesday thinks to herself, “I’ve heard that everyone has a strict parent and a fun parent. Unfortunately for me, I got stuck with the former.” (Chapter four) What are your thoughts on this statement? Compare Zinnia’s and Tuesday’s relationships with their respective mothers.

5. Milo suggests Zinnia may have narcissistic traits. Why does he say this, and do you agree? Was Milo’s lashing out fair? Explain your answers.

6. After getting feedback from the Harvard College writing center that her essay is unoriginal, Zinnia struggles to identify something that makes her interesting because she “can’t even play the adversity card.” (Chapter five) What does she mean by this? Why do you think Zinnia believes colleges expect personal essays about adversity? As a class, discuss the purpose of a college essay and whether you think it should exist as part of the college admissions process.

7. Milo admits that he hasn’t thought about what he’ll do after graduation, because his mom is sick. Zinnia tries to be a good friend and distracts him. What are ways we can be supportive of friends going through grief and other challenges? How would you want to be supported?

8. Using examples from the book and your own experiences, what are some reasons people grieve besides the death of a loved one?

9. When Zinnia meets Ezra at Mountainview River Valley Park, he tells her, “‘I’m out here by choice.’” (Chapter seven) What clues from Tuesday’s timeline indicate Ezra would separate from his family? Why does Ezra choose to be in the park? What are your thoughts on his choice?

10. Zinnia makes references to her white parents being prepared to adopt a Black girl. But she thinks they may have been unprepared for her to pass for white in certain contexts. What does she mean? How did Tuesday lack support? If Tuesday’s mom had let her keep the baby, in what ways do you think she would have been ready to be a parent? How does someone prepare to be a parent?

11. Zinnia is told she has perfectionist tendencies. (Chapter thirteen) Pull examples from the book that support this statement. Research what this might mean for someone’s mental health. What are the pros and cons of being a perfectionist? Discuss with a partner.

12. At the beginning of the story, Zinnia presents as a confident teen with a strong sense of identity and a clear desire for what she wants. Identify moments in the book where the persona she has created for herself cracks. How does she grow over the course of the story?

13. Tuesday’s mom claimed to keep family secrets from her to protect her, but she repeatedly harms Tuesday. What do you think is the real reason her mother kept secrets?

14. Milo writes a goodbye letter to Zinnia and shares his fears about their friendship not lasting. (Chapter thirteen) Think about your fears postgraduation and the goodbyes you may need to say. In pairs, talk about how you’re feeling and how you might cope with postgraduation changes.

15. Ezra still wants Tuesday around, but not as an official girlfriend. Is it possible for exes to remain friends? Why do you think Tuesday and Ezra could not stay friends, or what reasons are there that prove they could? Discuss in small groups.

16. When Jodelle returns to the cafe, Tuesday lets her walk away without confronting her about taking her journal. What do you think would have happened if she’d chased after Jodelle? Do you think adult Tuesday will pursue confronting Jodelle about the creative theft? Explain your answer.

17. Justin eventually becomes Tuesday’s chosen family, but it takes time for Tuesday to trust him. Why does Tuesday keep her distance from Justin, and how does he gain her trust? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

18. Jodelle exploits Tuesday’s trauma to write a bestselling novel. Provide examples of other ways that stories can be exploited. What if Jodelle had not stolen Tuesday’s intellectual property but had still written a story about a Black girl who put her baby up for adoption. Is it acceptable for Jodelle as a white woman to tell that story? Explain your answer.

19. The book demonstrates the power of forgiveness. As a class, discuss the turning points and choices that kept the story moving. What were the moments in which an earlier decision to forgive would have completely changed the plot?

Extension Activities

1. Justin asks Tuesday what songs she’d include if she burned a CD for him. Create a playlist for the novel. Explain why you chose each song and where in the book each song would fit.

2. Milo explains to Zinnia that reading The Well helped him realize “‘every conversation we’ve had in the last few days has been about you and your essay, and your life, and your problems, and your mom.’” (Chapter nine) While Zinnia did not intend for this to be Milo’s takeaway from the book, it shows that each reader takes away something different from a story. Write a reflection essay about a book that made an impact on you, perhaps by shifting your thinking, helping you process an issue, or teaching you a lesson.

3. Tuesday reflects on giving Zinnia up for adoption, noting that “based on her skin color alone, she’d go fast.” (Chapter eight) What does she mean? Research interracial adoption, including sources directly from adoptees who are Black, Indigenous, or other people of color with white parents. As a class, share some of the facts and anecdotes you learned. Maybe you are an adoptee—you can choose to share your experiences if you’d like.

4. This book explores consequences—especially within families—and the lasting impact of certain choices. It also provides a chance to learn that our caregivers are people with identities and emotions outside of caring for us. Interview a parent or caregiver about their life when they were your age, especially any choices they had to make. Did any of their choices impact your present-day life? What surprised you? What could you relate to or not understand? Share your reflections with a classmate and listen to their discoveries.

5. Zinnia is fortunate to have a family who can support her financially, but Milo and Tuesday are on their own after their parents pass away. In pairs, work together to research and create a budget as though you are roommates in an apartment. What jobs could you apply for with a high school diploma? What would college cost if you wanted to attend? What about rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, and more. Reflect on what you’ve learned. Perhaps you are someone who relates to Milo and Tuesday, or maybe you recognize a level of privilege, like Zinnia. What avenues exist to support low-income individuals?

Guide written by Cynthia Medrano, Librarian at the Highland Park Public Library.

This guide has been provided by Simon & Schuster for classroom, library, and reading group use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes. For more Simon & Schuster guides and classroom materials, please visit simonandschuster.net/m/prek12-teachers-librarians/teaching-resources.