Join author Nicole Melleby as she discusses her new novel, THE SCIENCE OF BEING ANGRY, in conversation with author A.J. Sass.

From the acclaimed author of Hurricane Season, an unforgettable story about what makes a family.

Eleven-year-old Joey is angry. All the time. And she doesn’t understand why. She has two loving moms, a supportive older half brother, and, as a triplet, she’s never without company. Her life is good. But sometimes she loses her temper and lashes out, like the time she threw a soccer ball—hard—at a boy in gym class and bruised his collarbone. Or when jealousy made her push her (former) best friend (and crush), Layla, a little bit too roughly.

After a meltdown at Joey’s apartment building leads to her family’s eviction, Joey is desperate to figure out why she’s so mad. A new unit in science class makes her wonder if the reason is genetics. Does she lose control because of something she inherited from the donor her mothers chose?

The Science of Being Angry is a heartwarming story about what makes a family and what makes us who we are from an author whose works are highly praised for their presentation of and insights into the emotional lives of tweens.

This event will take place in person at the Bureau of General Services—Queer Division, on the second floor (room 210) of The LGBT Community Center, 208 W. 13th St., NYC, 10011.

Registration is not required. Seating is first come, first served.

Also live-streaming on the Bureau’s YouTube channel

Safety protocol

In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

If you have any symptoms associated with COVID-19 in the days leading up to the event, we ask you to please stay home.

Please note that masks are required at all times inside The LGBT Community Center, where the Bureau is located.

Purchase Nicole Melleby’s The Science of Being Angry (Algonquin Young Readers, 2022, hardcover, $16.95) from the Bureau’s online store.

Purchase A. J. Sass’s Ellen Outside the Lines (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2022, hardcover, $16.99) from the Bureau’s online store.

These books are also available for purchase at the Bureau’s physical store.

Thank you for supporting the Bureau by purchasing books from us!

Suggested donation $10 to benefit the Bureau’s work.

All are welcome to attend, with or without donation.

We will pass a bag for donations at the start of the event, but we can also take credit card donations at the register.

Nicole Melleby, a New Jersey native, is the author of highly praised middle-grade books, including the Lambda Literary finalist Hurricane Season. She lives with her wife and their cat, whose need for attention oddly aligns with Nicole’s writing schedule. (Author photo: Elizabeth Welch)

A. J. Sass (he/they) is the author of Ana on the Edge and Ellen Outside the Lines. A. J. is the co-author of Camp QUILTBAG* (Algonquin, 2023) and a contributor to anthologies such as This Is Our Rainbow (Knopf Books for Young Readers) and Allies (DK/Penguin Random House). When he’s not writing, A. J. figure skates and travels as much as possible. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his partner and two cats who act like dogs. Visit him online at sassinsf.com and follow him @matokah on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. (Author photo: Deven Sass-Cao)