13: A Novel

The paperback edition of the novel based on the groundbreaking musical by Jason Robert Brown and Dan Elish, 13, a story about friendship, fitting in, and what it means to turn thirteen. Now a movie-musical streaming on Netflix!

“No one said becoming a man was easy."

Evan didn’t expect relevant life advice from Rabbi Weiner, who looks so old that he must have gone to yeshiva with Moses. But wondering what it means to become a man is the least of Evan’s problems.

After being uprooted right before his thirteen birthday from New York City to Appleton, Indiana, he’s more focused on using this fresh start to find the right friends to invite to his bar mitzvah. Because this is his chance to get in with the popular kids—the cool football players and pretty cheerleaders.

But it’s the weird kids who welcome him, like his nerdy neighbor Patrice and Archie, whose crutches and muscular dystrophy make him an easy target for bullying. Evan doesn’t want to be laughed at for being different. He can pretend to be like the cool kids; he’s sure he can.

But if you spend all your time pretending to be someone else, who do you become?

In this story of acceptance and friendship, Evan prepares for his bar mitzvah, grapples with his father’s affair, and learns from his rabbi, all the while presented with various images of what it means to be a man. While he struggles to fit in with the popular boys at school, he eventually learns that being cool is not as important as being a good friend—and a good person.

With relatable humor and accessible language, and at a consumable length, this book is perfect for all tweens and especially boys looking for a relatable read.

An adaptation of the Broadway musical that inspired 13: A Novel is now streaming on Netflix. Jason Robert Brown returned to compose new music for the show, and the cast includes Rhea Perlman, Josh Peck, Debra Messing, and Peter Hermann.

One move from NYC to Indiana. One chance to be popular. One choice between fitting in and being a good friend.

• The New Kid: After being dragged from New York City to small-town Indiana, Evan Goldman has one goal: to not be a loser at his new school.
• Popularity vs. Friendship: Getting in with Brett, the star quarterback, is his top priority—even if it means ditching Patrice, the first person who was actually nice to him.
• A Bar Mitzvah Mission: Evan is determined to throw the best bar mitzvah ever, but first he needs to convince the cool kids to actually show up.
• Dealing With Divorce: Beneath the hilarious school drama, it’s a heartfelt story about a boy trying to find his footing after his parents’ world-shattering split.
• From Stage to Screen to Page: Based on the hit Broadway musical and now a major Netflix movie, this novel is perfect for tweens and teens looking for a funny, relatable read.