LB Teen

The DUFF

(Designated Ugly Fat Friend)

By Kody Keplinger (Trade Paperback, 2011)

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "the Duff," she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren't so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone. And eventually, through this realization, Bianca begins to see how harmful her unhealthy way of dealing with her problems has been, and finds a way to confront them head on.

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- Format: Trade Paperback
- Price: $8.99 US/$9.99 CAN
- ISBN-13: 9780316084246
- On Sale Date: 06/07/2011
- Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
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Formats Available: Hardcover Book, Trade Paperback, Electronic Book
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Kody Keplinger was only 17 when she wrote her debut novel, THE DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend), which was an ALA 2011 Quick Picks selection. She grew up in a small town in Kentucky, where she began her writing career. When she isn't writing, she enjoys going to the theater, hanging out in bookstores, and eating Thai food. Kody currently lives in New York City, where she can do all of those things regularly. You can find out more about Kody and her books on her website: www.kodykeplinger.com.

THE DUFF: Kody Keplinger

"[A] well-written, irreverent, and heartfelt debut." (Publishers Weekly).
"A complex, enemies-with-benefits relationship that the YA market has never seen before... Keplinger scores a first for a genre in which vampires and dystopian futures rule. Her snarky teen speak, true-to-life characterizations and rollicking sense of humor never cease in her debut." (Kirkus).
"Kudos to the 18-year-old Keplinger for writing a heroine whose complicated relationship with sex is honest and heartbreaking. This for-more-mature teens novel deftly illustrates how even consensual sex can be emotionally destructive, and captures thoughts about self-image and the many different types of relationships. Expect to be recommending THE DUFF to friends for years to come." (Romantic Times).