Tom Perrotta talks about his newest novel, *The Abstinence Teacher*, which exposes the powerful emotions underlying modern American family life and explores the complex spiritual and sexual lives of ordinary people. *The Abstinence Teacher* is characterized by the distinctive mix of satire and compassion that have animated Tom Perrotta's previous novels. Perrotta is the author of five previous works of fiction: *Bad Haircut*, *The Wishbones*, *Election*, and the *New York Times* bestsellers *Joe College* and *Little Children*.
Tom Perrotta is the author of six works of fiction including *Bad Haircut*, *The Wishbones*, *Election*, and the New York Times bestsellers *Joe College*, *Little Children*, and most recently, *The Abstinence Teacher*. In 1999, *Election* was made into an acclaimed feature film directed by Alexander Payne and starring Reese Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick. In 2006, Perrotta was nominated for an Academy Award for the screenplay for the movie version of *Little Children*, which was directed by Todd Field and starred Kate Winslet and Jennifer Connelly. He lives with his family outside Boston.