About This Book
Reach for this Newbery Medal winner if your child is navigating the quiet, often lonely transition of a family divorce or the feeling of being the new kid in a school where they don't yet fit in. It is a deeply honest resource for kids who struggle to express their frustrations or who feel overlooked by a parent who is physically or emotionally distant. Through the letters and diary entries of sixth grader Leigh Botts, the book captures the realistic ache of wanting things to go back to the way they were while slowly learning how to build a meaningful life as things are. Beverly Cleary moves away from her typical humor to provide a grounded, secular look at a boy finding his voice through writing. It deals with themes of neglect, the reality that parents are flawed humans, and the small triumphs of problem-solving. It is an excellent choice for 8 to 12 year olds who appreciate stories that don't offer easy, magical solutions but instead offer the comfort of being truly understood.
