Botheration
Part One: The Missing Link
by
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Matthew "Matty" Weber would have been happier as an intelligent but socially maladjusted twelve-year-old after witnessing his parents' tragic, fiery death. But, instead, now at sixteen, and after hiding behind his introverted behavior and studies, he forces himself to become socially and emotionally normal. After all, how can he fail? He is perfect at taking school tests! BIG MISTAKE! The first day, he mistakenly sits down at the popular table of the high school's elite. From ringside, he meets the annoying head cheerleader: Chloe, who belittles him before chewing off the ear of the football player, the beautiful girl of his dreams: Samantha who's smile is enough to melt a thousand men, and the bully, captain of the football team: Mark whose arm is as strong as iron, but his armpit is as fragrant as a garbage truck. Even though he miraculously survives those tense encounters, his next hurdle is to ace the State Standardized School Tests, which he is pretty optimistic about. However, a worldwide cyber-attack quickly ends the school test and his brief respite. Matty puffs up his shallow chest despite the surrounding chaos and decides to talk to Samantha. ANOTHER MISTAKE! He finds that the usually calm and perfect Samantha is a puddle of emotion. She seems scared and asks him for his help and his trust. He interprets her behavior as due to the cyberattack. But why would she want his trust? He barely knows her. He walks out of the study room with her to her locker, where she ditches him! He is now left alone. Or so it seems. STILL ANOTHER MISTAKE! He then gets beat up by Mark. Mark later asks him for his help as well as his trust. Is this how ordinary teenagers interact???? What is trust stuff all about, and why do popular kids want from him? Are these requests from the high school elite related?
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About the Book
4X Award-Winning Book
Can Two Teens Stop A Worldwide Catastrophe?
Matty Weber should be dead. Orphaned and suffering from PTSD after a fiery car crash claims both of his parents, the 16-year-old genius struggles to adapt to life at his new high school. But he gets a rough start when he finds himself unwittingly sat at the lunch table of the school’s elite.
Caught up in the drama of high school romance and bullying, Matty attempts to win over his dream girl Samantha, all while avoiding getting beat up or shoved into someone’s locker.
But his problems are only just beginning... because after a dreaded school examination is put on hold by a cyberterrorist attack, Matty and his best friend Gabriel are plunged into a desperate bid to unravel a worldwide mystery, as society and his school begin to crumble around them.
When the stuck-up popular kids beg Matty for help, he must rise above his trauma and become the unlikely hero his school needs. But his past hides a shocking secret...and it’s about to come to light. Matty must make an impossible choice – with consequences far bigger than he ever imagined.
Step into a riveting YA novel that artfully blends thrilling action with the perennial challenges of navigating high school’s social hierarchy and the trials of teenage love. With powerful themes of self-discovery, overcoming trauma, and trust, the first book in Botheration is perfect for fans of young adult fiction with a brainy protagonist and plenty of twists & turns.
Praise for Botheration: Part One: The Missing Link:
"DiBarone presents an exhilarating mystery adventure that expertly captures the complexities of being a teenager. Matty Weber is a relatable hero that readers will root for. The storyline is captivating, fast-paced and will appeal to a wide audience."– Book Excellence
"A memorable cast bolsters this captivating blend of teen drama and techno-thriller." – Kirkus Reviews
"A gripping tale of personal growth and resilience that serves as a mirror reflecting real- world issues...Botheration is a fantastic contribution to young adult literature...recommended read for young adults and beyond." – Literary Titan
About the Author
Vito DiBarone grew up in the metropolitan New York City area. Studying physics, he attended college and graduate school. He traveled the United States and around the world as an engineer while tinkering, learning languages, and meeting new people. Currently, he calls both Las Vegas and Los Angeles home, where he works on the cutting edge of technology for airplanes, land and water vehicles, and missiles.