Short Bus Hero

"Ally Forman, a young woman with Down syndrome and a burnt-out guardian angel, wins the lottery in this unusual work from horror scribe Giglio (Revival House). Twenty-four-year-old grocery bagger Ally is obsessed with pro wrestling, so when she finds out she’s won $314 million she vows to bring her favorite wrestler, the recently booted Stryker Nash, back into the ring. Determined to use her riches to finally make her own decisions, Ally—with the help of a few whispered words from her cynical spirit guide—fights for independence from a family that’s just as determined to convince her she can’t. And as the choices Ally makes take hold, she learns that being normal isn’t exactly what she thought it would be. In less sensitive hands, Ally’s story could have devolved into something unsatisfying and distasteful. But it never veers in that direction. Instead, what Giglio has presented is a compassionately written and uplifting tale of forgiveness and redemption."

— Publishers Weekly

"...No spoilers, but reading this book will make your heart a little lighter and your belief in karma a little stronger, especially after the plot twists. Also, you may stop on wrestling for a few seconds more when changing the channel, just to see all the drama that makes Ally smile."

-- Huffington Post

“SHORT BUS HERO has it all: Down syndrome, hoarding, suicide attempts, heart attacks, betrayal, redemption, angels, winning lottery numbers, and big time professional wrestling. A dark, sweet, and poignant tale about what happens when you follow your dreams.”

— S. G. Browne, author of BREATHERS, BIG EGOS, and FATED

“If you were the big Lottery winner, what would you do first? Why, resurrect the career of your favorite professional wrestler, of course. Touching, violent, hilarious, tragic and surreal—Short Bus Hero is an inspiring and emotional story.”

— Richard Thomas, author of STARING INTO THE ABYSS, co-editor of BURNT TONGUES

“From a mind-bending cornucopia of eclectic ingredients–troubled lottery winners, pro wrestlers on the skids, and restless angels are just the tip of the iceberg–Shannon Giglio has expertly crafted one of the strangest, cleverest, and, yes, sweetest, tales I have ever read. This wonderful novel has it all: ingeniously imagined characters, rousing and poignant adventures, and, perhaps most importantly, the true heart of a champion. Anyone who enjoys great storytelling will love this book.”

— Bill Breedlove, author of HOW TO DIE WELL