A Guide to Falling Off the Map

Simultaneously introspective and humorous, A Guide to Falling Off the Map is a funny, tender, messy, and authentic story about two teens who fall in love on the precipice of things falling apart.

Outgoing Vinnie Smith has her NYC future planned with her best friend Lilah. Meanwhile, her childhood friend Roo Carpenter is barely getting by, having dropped out of high school to work a shady job and support his mom.

But when Vinnie's world starts falling apart -- plagued by severe headaches, rejected as drama captain, and betrayed by Lilah -- she decides to fix Roo's life instead. They hit the road across inland Australia in her mom's old Kombi, reliving their past adventures.

As they travel, Vinnie's unresolved grief over her mom resurfaces, her health deteriorates, and unexpected, intense feelings for Roo begin to threaten their friendship. Can they navigate their emotions and find a way forward, or will everything they've ever known come crashing down?

Author: Zanni L. Arnot
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Published: 09/02/2025
Pages: 304
Weight: 0.94lbs
Size: 8.55h x 5.87w x 0.98d
ISBN: 9781546138440


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 07/01/2025 pg. 77
Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2025
School Library Journal 09/01/2025 pg. 84

About the Author

Zanni L. Arnot, who publishes children's books under the moniker "Zanni Louise," is the Australian author of more than forty trade books for children, which are licensed in over twenty foreign territories. Zanni Louise has been writing stories since she was little, growing up in New South Wales. She now lives with her family of four in her little sunshine house in the Byron Bay hinterland.