XL

By: Scott Brown

Narrated by: Robbie Daymond

Fiercely funny, honest, and poignant, this story of a growth spurt gone wrong is perfect for those who love Becky Albertalli and Jesse Andrews.

Will Daughtry is a late bloomer - at least, that's what everyone tells him. On his 16th birthday, Will is just shy of five feet, and he is bitterly resigned to being tiny forever. His only comforts are his best friend and stepbrother, Drew (6'3"), and their pal Monica (5'10"), the girl Will's been quietly pining for since fifth grade. Everyone else literally overlooks him. But with them, he feels whole. That is, until things take an unexpected turn, and he realizes he's really and truly on his own.

That's when he starts to grow. And grow fast. Astonishingly fast. For the first time, Will's happy with his stature, and the world's at his feet (for a change). People see him differently; more important, he sees himself differently. But the highest heights come with some low, low lows, and his most precious relationships suffer excruciating growing pains. Will has to figure out what to do with himself - and all of this new "himself" he never expected to have.

“Outsized in heart and humanity.” (Gillian Flynn, best-selling author of Gone Girl and Sharp Objects)

"A coming-of-height specimen whose humor you won't outgrow." (Kirkus)

"A delightful romp with heart." (Booklist)

"Brown gives readers so much to connect to and relate. Characters are sincere, especially in their introspective frustrations about feeling small (physically and metaphorically)." (SLJ)

©2019 Scott Brown (P)2019 Listening Library

Critic reviews

“A witty, remarkable tale of friendship, acceptance, and, yes, growth that will charm adults as well as younger readers. Outsized in heart and humanity, XL is a YA novel that’s destined to become a classic.” (Gillian Flynn, best-selling author of Gone Girl and Sharp Objects)

“This book is a twirling, swirling attack on insecurity that reminded me how hard it is to grow up. This book is so good, I want to punch Scott Brown in the face, which I know is extra horrible, since I am much taller.” (Joel Stein, humanitarian and author of Man Made: A Stupid Quest for Masculinity)

“It’s a cliché to say I couldn’t put this book down, but it’s also the truth. With a heart as big as its protagonist, and a voice as hilarious as it is poignant, XL is an exceptional YA debut.” (Jennifer E. Smith, best-selling author of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and Field Notes on Love)

Exciting and sincere

Exciting and sincere, like every good coming of age, it’s about struggling to fit the mold and trying to build a newer bigger one for yourself

XL excels in being XL

This is a shockingly compelling YA novel. It drills to the most visceral, core trials and tribulations inherent in the coming of age. The story is simple, but beautiful and eloquent. It uses precocious vocabulary in a non-condescending, enriching way. Robbie Daymond's voicing is pristine and only serves to draw you in further. If you can let go of worse worries long enough to let yourself be immersed, it will make you laugh and it may even stir your soul enough to remind you what it was like to go through this part of life. The largeness of life in a simple, not exceptionally large book.