The Serpent King

By: Jeff Zentner

Narrated by: Michael Crouch, Ariadne Meyers, Ethan Sawyer

Amelia Elizabeth Walden Book Award for Young Adult winner

Morris Award winner

Connecticut Nutmeg Children's Book Award nominee

Green Mountain Book Award nominee

Louisiana Young Reader's Choice Award nominee

Oklahoma Sequoyah Young Adult Book Award nominee

Pennsylvania Keystone to Reading Book Award nominee

Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award nominee

Dill has had to wrestle with vipers his whole life—at home, as the only son of a Pentecostal minister who urges him to handle poisonous rattlesnakes, and at school, where he faces down bullies who target him for his father’s extreme faith and very public fall from grace.

He and his fellow outcast friends must try to make it through their senior year of high school without letting the small-town culture destroy their creative spirits and sense of self. Graduation will lead to new beginnings for Lydia, whose edgy fashion blog is her ticket out of their rural Tennessee town. And Travis is content where he is thanks to his obsession with an epic book series and the fangirl turning his reality into real-life fantasy.

Their diverging paths could mean the end of their friendship. But not before Dill confronts his dark legacy to attempt to find a way into the light of a future worth living.

Includes the song “Birds Fly South”, performed by the author and Elin Palmer.

©2016 Jeff Zentner (P)2016 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"A book you won't be able to resist or forget. The Southern boy in me savored every syllable and the reader in me fell in love with every page."–John Corey Whaley, National Book Award finalist and Printz Award winner

"A triumph of love and dignity."–Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author

"Move over, John Green; Zentner is coming for you."–The New York Public Library

Southern Honesty

This is the story about three young people who find a family in each other, at one of the most pivotal times of life. It is also a story about believing that we are all born with a gift. We can either chose to bravely accept it, or fearfully ignore it. It is a story about respecting the life that was given to you, and not being afraid to live it.

Fantastic

This is a well crafted story with emotional twists and entertaining turns. Zentner and The Serpent King portray relevant trials of high school seniors and beautifies life's fleeting moments.

profoundly moving.

Has the whole roller coaster of emotions, wonderful voice actors. Story is rich, real, and raw.

Cry much?

It only took me a few days to read this one, Every other chapter had me in tears, such a great story.

Sweetly raw

Great story that dives into high school, emotions, fears, loss, parents, friendships, and more. Zentner is a wonderful story writer who makes his audience believe him: believe he knows what he is talking about and that the words and feelings are true. We are not the whispers behind our backs. Those whispers do not define us.

Just wow

This book was absolutely amazing. It had me in tears. I felt so connected to these characters. Definitely read this book!

Outstanding story. I loved this story!

This story was well written. I wouldn't pick this out for a kid who needs fast paced action, but this one is for the thinkers. The mature reader who is curious about people who are unlike themselves. I loved it!

Jeff is a master of authentic characters!

Terrific book. The author has captured the essence of the youthful soul. A terrific read that displays the potential yet harsh, and bittersweet truths young adults face. Great for adults and young adults alike. The best part of this book is after, you feel like a better person for having read it.

Sad, Powerful, Beautiful

Very triggering for a survivor of child abuse, but in the best possible ways. I have cried over and loved these characters so, so much.

Self Acceptance is a Journey Filled With Peril and Joy

Love Michael Crouch’s earnest delivery of poetic phrases of Dillard’s character. The theme of no one is a lost cause “no matter the difficulties in life is uplifting. And sometimes your family are the people who love you, not necessarily the parents who raised you.