-Ellen Hopkins, New York Times bestselling author of the Crank Trilogy

• The National Book Foundation named John Corey Whaley a 2011 5Under 35 author.

• Indigo Books and Music Best Teen Books of 2011 Pick
• New Voices for Teens Selection -ABC Children’s Group at ABA
•  Best Fiction for Young Adults 2012 Nominee -American Library Association
• John Corey Whaley was selected as a  Flying Start Author for Spring 2011 by Publishers Weekly
•  12 Summer 2011 Okra Pick -SIBA (Southern Independent Bookseller Alliance) 

• “Where Things Come Back is a moving debut that captures small-town life and adolescent confusion through the lens of satire and suspense. Whaley is surely an author to watch.” -Octavia Books, New Orleans
• “[Whaley] has managed to capture his characters’ feelings of loss and despair with both compassion and empathy” -VOYA
• “This is one damn fine debut novel, and a darkly funny, enjoyable read.” -Denver Zombie Examiner
• “Weird, wonderful and rare, this unusual book is just as unique as the [woodpecker] mentioned in its pages.” -Reading Rants
• “In this darkly humorous debut, Whaley weaves two stories into a taut and well-constructed thriller.” -Publishers Weekly (starred)
• A “multilayered debut for sophisticated readers. Unexpected, thought-provoking storytelling.” -Kirkus Reviews
• “…a breathtaking piece of literature.” -Sara Gundell, Novel Novice
• “Where Things Come Back is a must read for everyone, both teens and adults.” -Sam Baskin, Whatchamacallit Reviews
• “Whaley has created an original yarn with Southern flavor and a Gothic twist.” -Sue, Ann Arbor Librarian
• “A very interesting read…John Corey Whaley got the Ivory-billed woodpecker fever right on.” -Mary Gay Shipley, That Bookstore in Blytheville, AR
• “Quirky and laugh-out-loud funny, Where Things Come Back carries many echoes of the beloved classic, Catcher in the Rye.” Stephanie Lawton, Novel Novice
• “This book sets up one of the most atmospheric and real towns in literature.” -Jordyn, TenCentNotes
• “Where Things Come Back is perfect for the reader who wants intellectual stimulation within their books, or for someone looking for books in a style that is similar to Catcher In The Rye.” -Goodbooksandgoodwine.com
• “An intriguing, memorable offering teens will want to discuss.” -Booklist
• “The characters’ reactions are palpable as their grief deepens and yet they continue to hope for Gabriel’s return. Cullen is an eloquent, thoughtful narrator…the ending is worth the wait.” -School Library Journal
• “Whaley is a true and talented storyteller–the kind that pulls you in with quietly spoken questions and truths that echo long after his story is finished.” -Jessi Kirby, author of Moonglass
• “Where Things Come Back is a very intelligent, beautifully written debut literary novel.” -Lindsey, YA Sweet Escape
• “…a unique and engaging story about faith and community, told by a delightful narrator.” —Hannah Manshel, 57th Street Books, Chicago, IL
• “…an unusual story that never fails to captivate despite its oddities. It’s also wryly humorous…and so well-structured that it calls for an immediate re-read.” -Jackie Parker, Seattle Librarian
• “The characters were so distinct and lovely that I wished I knew them in real life.” -Patti, Austin Librarian
• “…many aspects of this excellent novel…slowly [drift] to the surface without over-dramatizing.” -Courtney Terry, Sheridan Sun
• “…this is a book for those in love with great writing.” -Walter M. Mayes, the Girls’ Middle School, Palo Alto
• “This was a beautiful debut novel with a perfect balance of sadness and hope, and it painted a great portrait of how extraordinary things can happen in the most unlikely of places.’ -Flamingnet Teen Book Reviews
• “With multiple characters and two seemingly separate storylines that diverge in an unpredictable and thrilling way, it’s difficult to believe that so much Oomph could be delivered in a comfortable, easily accessible relaxed voice in just over 200 pages.” -Jennifer Haight, Hip Mama Jenn
• “Whaley’s tightly plotted narrative in which the timeline proves to be critical unfolds through beautifully expressive writing that reveals richly developed characters and thought-provoking insights at every turn.” -Cooperative Children’s Book Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• “…Cullen Witter in Where Things Come Back could be the millennial generation’s Holden Caulfield.” -On the Verge
• “Whaley has the ability to write with depth and soul, yet keeps the reader floating on edge just long enough to keep anticipating what will happen next.”-GReads
• “…one of the most complex, thought-inducing books I have read all year.” -YA Review Net
• “This book is perfect for introspective teens that are open to complex stories about characters whose lives are not as small and ordinary as they may appear to be on the surface.” -Suzanne Neumann, YALSA’s The Hub
• “Where Things Come Back is literary YA at its finest; it is a story that feels timeless and has all the makings of a classic-to-be.” -Reclusive Bibliophile
• “This quiet, unassuming book completely ransacked my heart and stole it like a thief in the night.” -Carla, The Crooked Shelf
• “..a story of uncommon beauty and unexpected humor.” -Megan, West Allis Public Library, Wisconsin.
• “It doesn’t really matter what this book is about. It’s a good book about a good kid and it’s a good story told remarkably well.” -Maggie Stiefvater, author of the bestselling Shiver Trilogy
• “This book is a true work of art in that, if you are open to it, upon reading it you will become a different person, seeing the world through slightly different eyes.” -Philip Stead, Caldecott-winning author of A Sick Day for Amos McGee