Kirkus Reviews

Starting middle school is especially challenging for white Emily, who finds her BFF, Hazel, drifting away, is irritated by her father's new romance, and is distressed about the return of her older sister, Mina, from inpatient therapy for anorexia. Hazel hasn't just lost interest in all that the two former besties cared about; she's actively demeaning and dismissive to Emily in the company of her new, cooler friends. Emily's father seems to feel that she shouldn't resent his new girlfriend's prominent position in their lives—but she does, leaving Emily feeling guilty as well as angry. Mina's many unresolved issues with food are realistically depicted; that she'll continue to struggle is all but certain. Emily misses the easy relationship they once shared yet resents the way her sister's anorexia has afflicted the whole family. Still, there are bright spots. Hector, an oft-bullied Latino boy, poignantly reaches out to Emily, who desperately needs a new friend. A few other kids and a perceptive teacher also offer support. While all of them help fill the gap, it takes Emily's growing recognition of others' suffering, related in her authentic voice, to put her own into a better perspective. As Mina's best friend says, "Middle school blows." Engaging and believably realistic, effectively combining both harrowing challenges and the support of caring individuals—often absent in this trope—which makes this a fine read. (Fiction. 10-14)

Horn Book (Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Emily is starting middle school and suddenly everything is different. Her best friend Hazel is into new things--including boys; her sister Mina is struggling with anorexia; and her father has moved in with his girlfriend. A different group of friends and a newfound sense of self allow Emily to put things in perspective. Emily's feelings resonate in this warm but familiar growing-up story.

School Library Journal (Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

Gr 5-8Emily is excited to start sixth grade with her best friend. Unfortunately, her BFF has discovered sports, lip gloss, and a new set of pals. Emily struggles to balance her devotion to her changing friend with loyalty to herself. At home, Emily is adjusting to her parents' divorce, her new stepmom, and the return of her teenage sister from an eating disorder treatment facility. This well-paced book introduces heavy concepts gently and intersperses lighthearted scenes among the more serious moments. Maschari assumes that her readers are capable of understanding complex social situations. Emily's sister's recovery is realistic, with good days and tough days, both of which are confusing for the protagonist. Characters of all ages misjudge one another at times and connect at others. By learning to accept the good with the challenging, Emily navigates her way to reassuring friends and adults. Her relationship with her sister is particularly poignant. Readers will relate to Emily's growing pains and the rewards of finding positive support. Back matter includes an author's note about eating disorders: "It can be scary, but it is so important that you not keep it to yourself." Maschari also lists links to national resources. VERDICT Recommended for middle grade collections, especially for readers with friends or family members dealing with eating disorders.Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK

ALA Booklist (Thu Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

Emily would prefer no more changes. Her parents' divorce, her dad's new girlfriend, and her sister's anorexia are more than enough. For her best friend, Hazel, though, middle school means a chance to start over, and Emily wonders how she fits into Hazel's new life of makeup, crushes, and field-hockey teammates. Emily never seems to say or do the right thing, though she hopes that will change with the CD set Be the Best You, from a late-night TV infomercial. The general arc of friendship, cliques, and family drama is standard fare, but the dynamics between Hazel and Emily are nuanced and believable, as are Emily's conflicted feelings about her sister. Humor frequently infuses the story, lightening what could be an angst-ridden journey of self-discovery. A few minor characters (a wise, sympathetic teacher; the clique's queen bee) remain one-dimensional, but the main characters are complex and sympathetic, and the portrayal of how anorexia affects the whole family is well drawn. A solid choice for medium-sized and large collections.