Draw the Line

After a hate crime occurs in his small Texas town, Adrian Piper must discover his own power, decide how to use it, and know where to draw the line in this "powerful debut" novel (Publishers Weekly, starred review) exquisitely illustrated by the author. Adrian Piper is used to blending into the background. He may be a talented artist, a sci-fi geek, and gay, but at his Texas high school those traits would only bring him the worst kind of attention. In fact, the only place he feels free to express himself is at his drawing table, crafting a secret world through his own Renaissance-art-inspired superhero, Graphite. But in real life, when a shocking hate crime flips his world upside down, Adrian must decide what kind of person he wants to be. Maybe it's time to not be so invisible after all—no matter how dangerous the risk.

Laurent Linn's love for puppets led him to become an Emmy Award-winning puppet designer and builder in Jim Henson's Muppet Workshop, creating characters for various productions, including the Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island films, eventually becoming creative director for the Sesame Street Muppets. Originally from Dallas, Texas, his love for art led him to New York City where he is currently an art director/designer for children's and teen books. And his love for transformative stories (and superheroes) led him to write and illustrate Draw the Line, his first novel. Visit him at LaurentLinn.com and on Twitter/Instagram at @LaurentLinn.