
Reach for this book when your middle schooler is beginning to navigate the complicated emotions of a first crush or feeling the pressure to maintain a perfect social image. It is an ideal choice for children who feel boxed in by labels like jock or cheerleader and are looking for permission to explore their true identities. The story follows Kate and Tam, two girls who see past each other's masks and develop deep feelings, while navigating the varying reactions of their peers and families. Written in beautiful, accessible verse, this novel handles the vulnerability of self discovery with extreme gentleness. It normalizes the LGBTQ+ experience for the 10 to 14 age group by focusing on the universal magic and confusion of falling in love for the first time. Parents will appreciate how it models bravery and authenticity in the face of social expectations.
Themes of loneliness and the pain of parental non-acceptance.
None.
A 12 year old who feels trapped by the labels others have placed on them, whether that is the high achiever, the athlete, or the popular kid. It is perfect for a child who is experiencing the fluttery, confusing intensity of a first crush and needs to see that their feelings are valid and shared.
The book can be read cold. Parents may want to be ready to discuss the nuance of social dynamics and the courage it takes to step outside of a predefined group identity. A parent might pick this up after hearing their child say, I do not think I fit in with my friends anymore, or after noticing their child is struggling with the pressure to be perfect in their extracurricular activities and social circles.
A 10 year old will likely focus on the friendship and the school social hierarchies, viewing the romance as a natural extension of a deep bond. A 14 year old will more keenly feel the internal conflict of identity and the specific anxieties of coming out to peers and parents.
Unlike many middle grade novels that focus on the external drama of social life, this book uses spare, evocative verse to prioritize the internal emotional landscape. It captures the specific, breathless feeling of middle school longing without being overly sentimental, making the experience of two girls falling in love feel both monumental and perfectly ordinary.
Kate is the quintessential cheerleader, and Tam is the tall, athletic volleyball player. While they seem like opposites in the middle school social hierarchy, they find themselves drawn to each other through a series of unexpected encounters. As their friendship blossoms into a first romance, they must navigate the pressure of maintaining their public personas versus being true to their feelings. The story is told through dual perspective verse, capturing the internal shifts of two girls as they move from being strangers to being each others person.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a review