A double congratulations is in order for JABberwocky client, Victoria Zeller — ONE OF THE BOYS is a New York Times and Indie List bestseller! ONE OF THE BOYS debuted at #9 on the New York Times list for YA hardcover fiction, and #5 on the Indie List for YA.

What’s especially exciting is that the majority of preorders were made through independent bookstores. Victoria and her publisher, Levine Querido, partnered with multiple indie bookstores across the country for a book drive where purchasing a copy of ONE OF THE BOYS also benefitted local LGBTQ organizations.

ONE OF THE BOYS is a debut novel that follows Grace Woodhouse, a rising football star with an amazing girlfriend and close circle of friends — before she came out as trans. As senior year begins, Grace is struggling to find her place in early transition, new social circles, and a life without football. But when her skills as the best kicker in the state prove to be vital, her old teammates beg her to come out of retirement, dragging her back into a sport—into a way of life—she thought had turned its back on her forever.

The book has also received high praise prior to its publication, including three starred reviews! Booklist deemed it a “a standout first work”, noting how “Grace’s journey through senior year is portrayed with nuance, noting the struggles of transition when one doesn’t ‘pass’ and of old friends learning to accept a ‘new’ version of herself.” Publisher’s Weekly also praised the debut, writing how “Zeller artfully exposes the tender underbelly of locker room posturing, presenting a subversive, experience-informed interpretation of toxic masculinity” throughout the story. We couldn’t agree more!

Congratulations, Victoria!