Two Truths and a Lionel

Though 16-year-old Lionel Honeycutt III always admired his late grandfather, a famous Black movie star, he also felt “intimidated comparing myself to him.” Then Lionel and his friend-turned-nemesis Michaela “Mickey” Kyle are caught in a pet store fire. Lionel’s quick thinking, caught on video, ensures that he, Mickey, and the other customers survive the ordeal, branding him as a hero. The only problem is that since Lionel “still can’t piece together everything that happened,” he’s not certain that he’s the one people should be celebrating. But he’s also reluctant to relinquish the spotlight, especially now that everyone wants to know more about him, including Lionel’s crush, social media influencer Josefina Ramos. As Lionel navigates his newfound fame, he grapples with his inadvertent deception, grows closer to Mickey, and reckons with his grandfather’s legacy. Wasson (Seven Minutes in Candyland) blends comedy and drama into a cinematic, heartfelt story that explores themes of toxic masculinity, intergenerational conflict, and the complex realities of popularity and social recognition. At the core of this theatrical novel is a genuine earnestness, conveyed through Lionel’s everyman nature and an enemies-to-lovers romance. Supporting characters are racially diverse. Ages 13–up. Agent: Jon Cobb, HG Literary. (Apr.)