Where to Start with Conrad Wesselhoeft
Because Conrad Wesselhoeft has written two distinct, standalone young adult novels, there is no strict narrative continuity or recurring characters to worry about. You can pick up either book first without missing a single beat of context. However, for the most rewarding experience, we recommend starting with his debut novel, Adios, Nirvana, before moving on to his sophomore release, Dirt Bikes, Drones, and Other Ways to Fly.
Reading his debut first allows you to experience Wesselhoeft's core literary style in its rawest, most lyrical form. Set in his home territory of Seattle, it establishes his signature ability to tackle heavy grief with a light, authentic touch. Once you have acclimated to his character-driven pacing and poetic prose, you can transition to the faster-paced, high-concept moral dilemmas of his second novel, which takes place in the rugged desert landscapes of New Mexico.
The Standalone Novels
1. Adios, Nirvana (2010)
Set in West Seattle, Wesselhoeft’s debut novel introducing us to Jonathan, a gifted teenage poet and guitarist. Jonathan’s life has ground to a halt following the tragic death of his twin brother, Telemachus (Telly). Once a stellar student, Jonathan is now skipping school, struggling to cope, and failing his junior year. In a desperate bid to save his academic future, his school principal and English teacher assign him an unusual project: writing the biography of David, a dying World War II veteran in hospice care.
Through his interactions with David, his protective group of loyal friends known as the "Thicks," and his music, Jonathan begins the painful process of healing. Wesselhoeft draws on his own deep connection to West Seattle to make the city feel like a living character, layering the story with the local music scene and the realities of teenage friendship.
2. Dirt Bikes, Drones, and Other Ways to Fly (2014)
Wesselhoeft’s second novel moves the action to the high desert of New Mexico. The story follows seventeen-year-old Arlo Santiago, a daredevil dirt-bike rider and champion player of a war-simulation video game called Drone Pilot. Arlo uses the adrenaline of riding and gaming to enter what he calls the "Drone Zone"—a mental escape from his challenging home life. His mother was recently killed in a store robbery, his father is struggling with alcoholism, and his younger sister, Siouxsie, is facing the early stages of Huntington’s disease.
Desperate to support his family financially, Arlo accepts a lucrative offer from the U.S. military at the White Sands testing facility to pilot real military drones over Pakistan. Soon, the line between video game escapism and deadly real-world warfare begins to blur, forcing Arlo to confront massive ethical dilemmas. This book also features El Guapo, a lovable standard poodle character who was directly inspired by the author’s real-life poodle, Django.
Thematic Connections and What to Know Before You Read
While these two books are standalone works set in entirely different locations, they are deeply connected by their themes. Both novels focus on seventeen-year-old boys who are reeling from sudden, devastating family losses. Wesselhoeft excels at showing how young men navigate grief not just through talking, but through action, art, and physical outlets—whether that means playing guitar, writing poetry, racing dirt bikes, or escaping into virtual simulators.
Readers should also be prepared for a realistic and sometimes gritty tone. Wesselhoeft doesn't shy away from heavy topics like death, terminal illness, alcoholism, and the ethics of modern warfare. However, his writing is also infused with humor, intense action, and a deep appreciation for the healing power of community and family.
Conrad Wesselhoeft's Background and Influences
Wesselhoeft’s realistic dialogue and vivid settings come from a life full of diverse adventures. Before becoming a novelist, he worked as a tugboat deckhand in Singapore, served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Polynesia, and worked as a journalist, including writing for The New York Times.
A turning point in his life occurred in 1984 when, as a young reporter, he spent seven hours interviewing the legendary young adult author Scott O'Dell (author of Island of the Blue Dolphins). O'Dell mentored Wesselhoeft, advising him to keep a notebook and write every day with perseverance. This mentorship, combined with Wesselhoeft’s own personal experiences with grief—including the loss of his wife—strongly shaped the emotional honesty of his young adult fiction.
Conrad Wesselhoeft Books in Publication Order
- Adios, Nirvana (2010)
- Dirt Bikes, Drones, and Other Ways to Fly (2014)