The Many Masks of Andy Zhou

by Jack Cheng

“Another beautiful book by Jack Cheng.” —Erin Entrada Kelly, Newbery Award-winning author of Hello, Universe

Creative and brave sixth grader Andy Zhou faces big changes at school and at home in this new novel by the award-winning author of See You in the Cosmos, for fans of When You Trap a Tiger and The Stars Beneath Our Feet.

Andy Zhou is used to being what people need him to the good kid for his parents and now grandparents visiting from Shanghai, or the helpful sidekick to his best friend Cindy’s rebellious plans and schemes.

So when Cindy decides they should try out for Movement at school on the first day of sixth grade, how can Andy say no? But between feeling out of place with the dancers, being hassled by his new science partner Jameel, and sensing tension between his dad and grandfather, Andy feels all kinds of weird.

Then, over anime, Hi-Chews, and Andy’s lizard-inspired artwork, things shift between him and Jameel, opening up new doors—and also new complications.

No matter how much Andy cares about his friends and family, it’s hard not to feel pulled between all the ways he's meant to be, all the different faces he wears, and harder still to figure out if any of these masks is the real him.

“A joy and a journey.” —Tae Keller, Newbery Award-winning author of When You Trap a Tiger
“Sincere . . . Perceptive . . . Captures the joys and complex anxieties of middle school.” — Kirkus
"Beautiful . . . Recommended for fans of Erin Entrada Kelly and Nicole Melleby." —SLJ
"Realistic . . . Compelling." — Booklist
"Beautifully and naturally depicts Chinese American family life and the first year of middle school” —Common Sense Media
“There’s an aching poignancy [that] will resonate with kids.” — BCCB
"Beautifully written, [with] complexity and nuance." —Book Riot
“Andy’s quiet courage and budding artistry have readers cheering him on.” —Paula Yoo, National Book Award longlisted-author of From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Fiction, Young Adult, LGBT, Childrens

320 pages, Hardcover

Published June 6, 2023

About the author

Jack Cheng is a Shanghai-born, Detroit-based author of critically acclaimed fiction for young readers. His debut middle grade novel, See You in the Cosmos, won the Golden Kite and Great Lakes, Great Reads awards. Jack has visited schools across the globe speaking with students about finding their paths as writers and artists. He is a 2019 Kresge Artist Fellow.

Reviews

[Erin Entrada Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers will find a friend in Andy — a kind-hearted kid doing the best he can, trying to find his footing while caring for those around him. Andy contains multitudes, like all of us. Ultimately, he needs no mask. He just needs to be able to be proud of who he sees. We can all learn that lesson.

Another beautiful book by Jack Cheng.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really lovely, contemplative middle grade that explores the complexities of friendships in middle school. Andy, who is Chinese American, is the kind of kid that tends to follow along with whatever his overbearing best friend Cindy says. That worked fine in elementary school, but this year they're starting middle school, and everything feels different. Cindy dyes her hair purple and forces Andy to as well. She also convinces Andy to join her in Movement, an afterschool dance club, and to lie to their parents about it.

Meanwhile, Andy's grandparents from Shanghai are visiting, and his grandfather is very ill. Andy's family mostly speaks Chinese/Mandarin (there's an author's note in the back that explains the language better) and they're very close. I adored the family dynamics.

At school, Andy meets Jameel, a Chaldean American who has recently moved to their Detroit suburb. At first, Jameel seems to be bullying Andy, but soon they form a friendship. But this is not an easy friendship between the two.

Andy is also a talented artist who has anxiety and pulls his hair, trichotillomania. There's also a character with an eating disorder.

I really loved this nuanced middle grade and listened to it on audio. I definitely teared up toward the end.

I've marked this as LGBTQ+ because there is a small subplot about being queer, but it is not a major component and I also want to add a content warning for trans readers because Harry Potter references are made.

[فرفری موی غزل ساز · Rating 5 out of 5]

دوستش داشتم. کتابی توی سبک تینیجریه که به موضوعاتی مثل قلدری، بی‌اشتهایی عصبی، نژادپرستی و مهاجرت میپردازه. و بنظرم همشون مسائل مهمی هستن که نویسنده خیلی قشنگ در قالب داستان دربارشون توضیح داده

[MerooBoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing story with problems we all face, from bullies to dying relatives. Andy is extremely relatable, trying to fit in and find friends while having troubles with old ones. Jack Cheng is an expert crafter of narratives, it is obvious that he wrote this wonderful book with passion. 5 stars.

[Quade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Youth Review: Imagine you're at school and you feel like you have to act a certain way to be accepted by others. Do you pretend to like things that you don't enjoy or hide your true feelings about something? That's an example of masking. I think everyone wants to be liked and included because social rejection hurts. But maybe the best way to make the world better is to find your own light and be kind to others as they find theirs too.

I really enjoyed this book. The past few years there have been many great stories that explore themes of identity, friendship, and the challenges identity formation with the added lens of cultural bias and expectations. This book specifically shows how masking can help kids blend in or feel safe, but how tiring that can be. I really enjoyed how Andy handled changes in relationships as he navigates his own personal discoveries. He does this by exploring new activities and meeting new people. Most importantly, Andy learns that he can respect his past and honor his own unique interests by creating a space where he can be himself.

Be yourself. Try new things if you are figuring that out. True connections with people happen when you let go of the need to fit in. Remember, it's always best to surround yourself with people who accept and appreciate the unique things that make you... you!

Thanks to Dial Books for Young Readers for the Net Galley ARC.

Read Alike:
+ Maisey Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yee (Age 9+)
+ When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller
+ American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang (Age 10+)
+ Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford (Age 14+)

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about Andy, a 6th grader, and all of the big feelings and changes he is going through. As a Chinese American, Andy is experiencing micro aggressions and racism and isn’t sure how to deal with it. He is also losing his best friend, gaining a new friend and having friend drama. The plot has some lovely parts but much of it is heavier topics, including racism, bullying, loss of friendships, anxiety, eating disorders, and questioning one’s sexual identity. The writing is great and shows a part of Michigan I didn’t know existed. I learned new things! This would be a book for kids who are looking to connect to a character having similar experiences. Some mild violence. 6th grade and up.

[Vanessa Kelman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book. Realistic, relatable characters and storylines, important topics that were presented in age-appropriate ways. It took me a little while to get into it, but I did enjoy it. Vivid imagery, important messages. A good realistic fiction novel with great diversity.

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Changes at school, at home and with friends have Andy asking who am I?
🎭
Andy Zhou is a go-along to get-along kind of kid: he always does what’s expected of him, but lately there have been a lot of changes in his life. His grandparents are visiting from Shanghai, his best friend, Cindy, gets him to sign up for Movement with her then starts to drift away from him and his new science partner, Jameel is more foe than friend. When Andy’s anxiety gets out of control, he wonders which mask he wears is the real Andy.
🎭
Fans of The Stars Beneath Our Feet will love this MG book by @jackcheng Andy is a sweet and sensitive child and the storyline about friends changing is so relatable. This title releases June 6.

CW: racism, microaggressions, anxiety, trichotillimania, bullying, parental death, anorexia

[Barb Middleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow start that seems formulaic but ends up with more depth and surprises as a boy struggles with his cultural and gender identity as well as friendships with others his age.

[Tamsyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounding up.

[* · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎭🎨🏙️𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝘆 𝗭𝗵𝗼𝘂🏙️🎨🎭
    Andy's life begins to change when his grandparents come over for a visit and he bleaches his hair with Cindy. Stuck with a mix of orange and black hair compared to Cindy's bleached one, the two still find great joy in their friendship. Cindy and Andy are planning to secretly join the Movement together, but Andy finds that his hobbies and dreams are not the same. He finds himself drifting further and further from Cindy as he realizes the two never had much in common, and as Cindy tries to fit in with the popular crowd, Andy is bullied by boys in his class. As he tries to discover who he is and what he likes, he finds himself forming an unlikely friendship with a boy who used to be cruel to him. Jameel's friendship with him brings him joy, but the distance between him and Cindy is obvious, and Ah Dia's health is failing. The Many Masks of Andy Zhou is yet another heartfelt, important, emotional, and healing story by Jack Cheng.

   Something about Jack Cheng's books resonates so deeply with me, especially this book. Entering sixth grade is a huge change, but what he believed to be the same was his best friend Cindy. Yet here's the undeniable truth that past me and Andy both don't want to admit: best friends change, and so does a relationship. So caught up in trying to make Cindy happy, Andy has tried his best to do with Cindy what she wants. Dancing isn't his passion, and he didn't want to bleach his hair either. The distance that grows between him and Cindy is both heartbreaking and gives him time to pursue his passions and define who he is without her.

       Andy is also bullied by the boys in his grade but finds friendship with one of his bullies, Jameel. Their relationship is what hit me the hardest. The two grow to care deeply for each other as they share many interests. Throughout the course of the book, their friendship is something that is so complex and beautiful. Jameel is what many would describe as a troubled kid. A boy who breaks rules and can be mean and angry. Underneath all that, he is unmistakably coping with many things in his life, but he can also be caring. Andy discovers so much about himself and Jameel in this relationship. It's a perfect sense of joy and comfort.

      Then everything starts to crumble. Ah Dia's health isn't in a good place. The family dynamic between Andy, his grandparents, parents, and the community feels so realistic. What's so good about this book and See You In The Cosmos is that both books feel very personal. It feels like a snapshot of real life, and that's what makes these stories have such an impact. Jack Cheng does not shy away from difficult topics, and there are content warnings at the start of the book:
    "CONTENT WARNINGS: This story touches on topics including bullying, racism, trichotillomania (hair-pulling compulsion), parental death, and anorexia."

     Andy has trichotillomania, but he keeps it a secret from everyone. He realizes that many people have secrets in their lives as well. The way Andy and Jameel's relationship is written was written in such a way that I could see why Andy and Jameel made certain decisions. The utter joy and safety Andy feels with his friendship quickly transform into utter devastation. It's an internal struggle knowing someone does not treat others well, nor does he always treat Andy well, yet he still stays by this friend's side for all the good moments. It's his relationship with Cindy and the moments they had together that matter, but also the sense that at this point in life they might not be the best friends they used to be.

It was such a well-written story that I could tell it came from the heart. I'm looking forward to reading Jack Cheng's next books.
✅PLOT 
✅CHARACTERS

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Andy's parents moved to the US with him from Shanghai to Detroit when he was very young. They live in a duplex next to his best friend Cindy's family, and the two spend a lot of time together. As they enter middle school, Cindy wants to shake things up. She bleaches her hair blonde and coaxes Andy to do the same, but his becomes a mottled orange. She also wants Andy to join a Movement group at school that is adapting Lord of the Flies as a dance. He's not super comfortable with this, especially since Jameel, his lab partner, makes fun of him. Andy also has to deal with his grandparents visiting and taking his room. He is glad to see them, and doesn't mind, but it adds some extra wrinkles to his life. When he and his grandmother go to the store where his mother works to get groceries, they run into Jameel, who is nice to him and doesn't call him names. The two make an uneasy peace; Jameel (who is Chaldean- his family is Christian and from Iraq) is nice to him when they are alone but tends to be meaner ofr ignore him when they are at school. It's good to have a new friend, especially since Cindy is starting to hang out with other girls who dress just like her. Andy's grandfather isn't doing well, and Andy realizes that he has probably come for a last visit. Andy ends up working on the sets for the production instead of acting in it, and both advisors (Ms. XX and Mx. XX) think he has quite the talent for it, but he is feeling stressed about the many things going on in his life. He manifests this by pulling out his hair so much that he creates a small bald spot on his head. Will Andy be able to figure out how to get along with his friends, understand his family, and deal with the pressures of everyday life.
Strengths: Middle school students seem to lose at least one friend, and it's always traumatic. It's especially hard for girls and boys to remain friends, but it is becoming more common. The relationship with Jameel made sense, and had realistic complications. I loved how well the dialogue was portrayed; when it was in Shanghaiese, it is in italics, and the English spoken is not always standard. This usually bothers me, but it was effective in this case. While I had a hard time believing that there was a dance version of Lord of the Flies, the details about the set design and performance worked well with the rest of the plot. The family dynamics were what really sold this one, and I wanted to know more about exactly where in Detroit this was set. (Lived for six months in Clawson, Michigan years ago, so might have driven by Andy's neighborhood.)
Weaknesses: I could have used more elucidation for Jameel's identification as Chaldean. It is not a term I was familiar with, and even our ESL teacher was not aware of it. This was a bit on the long side, and was more contemplative than some middle grade titles.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed this author's See You in the Cosmos, Carl Sagan but are more interested in a school story told in a more traditional way. The grandparent plot reminded me a tiny bit of Shang's The Great Wall of Lucy Wu, and the family dynamics in the neighborhood a bit of Kelkar's As American as Paneer Pie. This is the second book I've read featuring body-focused repetitive behavior; the first is Sales' new The Museum of Lost and Found.

[Rebecca Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel follows the life of Andy Zhou, a sixth grader who is accustomed to meeting the expectations of those around him. Whether it's being the good kid for his parents and grandparents visiting from Shanghai, or the supportive sidekick to his best friend Cindy's rebellious schemes, Andy has always fit into the roles others have set for him.

When Cindy convinces Andy to try out for the school's Movement class on the first day of sixth grade, he can't refuse and his decision sets off a series of events that leave Andy feeling out of place. He struggles with the dancers, gets hassled by his new science partner Jameel, and senses growing tension between his father and grandfather. Amidst all this turmoil, Andy finds solace in his interests—anime, Hi-Chews, and his lizard-inspired artwork. As he bonds with Jameel over these shared interests, new opportunities and complications arise.

Throughout the story, Andy grapples with the pressure of wearing different masks to please everyone around him. This journey of self-discovery is intricately portrayed as he tries to determine which of these masks, if any, reflects his true self.

This beautifully executed novel seamlessly weaves together a multitude of themes. Jack Cheng successfully explores complex issues such as bullying, eating disorders, elderly care, death, trichotillomania, losing friendships, forgiveness, and a subtle exploration of queer identity. Despite the richness of these topics, the plot remains coherent and engaging, moving forward in a way that feels natural and relatable.

The characters are well-developed, and I found myself deeply caring about Andy, his friends, and his family. The interactions between Andy and his family, particularly his supportive and kind parents, are heartwarming and realistic. This novel is a great read for anyone looking for a story that handles multiple issues with grace and depth, making it a standout in middle-grade fiction.

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from the publishers for an honest review.

Not only is Andy is starting 6th grade with his best friend Cindy, but Cindy pushes Andy into joining the dance club and Andy’s grandparents are coming to stay in his parent’s house for six months. At first all seems well until Andy’s science partner, Jameel, seems to be a bully but maybe a friend? And Cindy is slipping away from Andy to be with the “Tall Girls”. I really enjoyed this book. There are many transition/losing/gaining friends middle-grade books but I felt this one more realistic. Andy deals with more than just losing friends; he deals with anxiety, bullying, macro/micro acts of racism, and an awakening of not only who he is but also the struggles of the adults around him. That said, this book manages to deal with the issues with a delicate hand, careful to inform but not traumatize the reader. I also loved that there was no romantic interest between Cindy and Andy, just a loving platonic childhood friendship. My only complaint is that I wanted to know so much more, especially about Ah Dia and his life in China with its own tumultuous transition. It is a minor compliant though as loving characters and wanting to continue on their journey with them is always a sign of a good book.

[Dan Allbery · Rating 3 out of 5]

We laugh. And as we both stare back out at the street, it gets quiet--that sad kind of quiet. As if we forgot everything that's happened this year, and suddenly remembered again.

Andy is entering 6th grade with a best friend by his side and a plan to make this year start with a bang. *dun, dun, duuun* So the plan sort of backfires in typical middle school fashion and Andy plows into an unexpecting year that will rattle his journey--in the most challenging AND beautiful ways. This coming-of-age story has a little something for everyone.

I appreciate Jack Cheng's author note for clarifying why he included certain details. It seems like a deeply personal story as most are to their authors. However, there were so many layers jam-packed within these pages--family health challenges, eating disorders, bullies, homophobia, xenophobia, financial insecurity, death of a family member. Because there were so many, most received very little air time and were left unresolved. I guess life is that way, but as a reader, it would have been more effective to deep-dive into just a couple realms. Recommended for GR 6 and up.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Middle School Struggle is Real

Poor Andy Zhou. As if starting middle school weren’t challenging enough, his aging grandparents have recently arrived from China to spend an indefinite amount of time with him and his parents in their home in the Detroit suburbs. While Andy loves his grandparents, he certainly does not love sleeping on the living room couch as his grandparents occupy his bedroom. He’s also experiencing an identity crisis, much like most other sixth graders. Why does he pull out his own hairs when he becomes anxious? Is his best friend Cindy still his best friend? And why does she seem to be getting so thin? Is Jameel, a lab partner in science class, a bully or a friend? Does he really want to join the Movement club and get involved in the school show? And why do so many seemingly contradictory things appear to be true at the same time?

But fret not. Andy will be fine. Jack Cheng’s engaging novel addresses myriad sources of middle school angst, but its stout heart offers young readers real hope. A charming read.

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I find a middle grade novel set in my home state that takes me to actual places I've visited, I'm thrilled. This novel also gave me an inside look into Chinese culture and family life as Andy's family tried to be true to their culture, yet also embrace American life and try to "fit in." The foods prepared made me hungry every time.

I enjoyed how this author tackled coming of age issues for middle graders, friendship drama (changing relationships, making new friends, and trying to repair damaged ones), bullying, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, loss of loved ones, and more.

My favorite part of this book was the relationship between Andy and Jameel, especially when they both opened up to each other and showed vulnerability. My heart ached for Jameel as he kept so much inside and refused to show any weakness, and then cheered him on as he embraced change and trusting others.

Thank you to Netgalley for a digital ARC for an honest review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andy Zhou and his parents host his grandparents visiting from Shanghai over the winter. His father is determined to share all that America has to offer – from log cabins to hot dogs to fishing – with his parents in an attempt to convince them to move. They live in a duplex and Andy’s best friend Cindy (also Chinese) lives upstairs with her parents. Cindy talks Andy into trying out for the dance club while telling their parents they are joining math Olympiad. She also convinces Andy that they should dye each other’s hair. When Andy’s hair turns out orange rather than bleached, he draws the attention of bully Jameel who calls him “Irish.” Andy and Jameel begin a tentative friendship over Hi-Chew candy as Cindy grows distant. Andy struggles to find his voice and figure out who he is. A beautiful story that touches on the immigrant experience, microaggressions, parent pressure, mental health, bullying, and finding your place in the world.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It makes me happy to know that this kind of YA fiction is available for kids to read today. This was such a sweet novel, and I really found myself rooting for Andy, a good kid who's just trying his best as he adjusts to life as a middle schooler.

I appreciate that Jack Cheng also tackled some tough topics, from bullying, to racism, to mental health issues.

"A student asked me why I put serious topics - like death and mental health - into my books for kids," Cheng writes in his author's note at the end of the book. "My answer: Because they're real things that kids deal with.
...
Every single one of us deals with our own unique combination of challenges. But knowing that there are people out there who might share our same struggles can help us feel less alone in our journeys. Knowing also that, like Andy, we can laugh and cry and dance and make art along those same journeys, helps even more, I think."

[Mary Louise Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad the author is in the forefront again with this heartwarming story set in Detroit and in other parts of Michigan.

As a new 6th grader in a Detroit middle school, Any Zhow wears masks to hide who is really is inside, as do his family and friends. I loved how Andy learns to shed his mask throughout the story, as do the other characters. I especially enjoyed Andy's relationship with his new friend Jameel and his relationship with his family in their day-to- day lives. For me the grandmother, particularly, broke the stereotype of an elderly Chinese woman and she was so believable that the author had to have plucked her from his own family. I can envision these same characters in a series.

I appreciated the creative way the author shows his characters speaking Chinese through English words in italics. Hopefully Jack Cheng graces us with more stories like this one.

[Kristin Lenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a multi-layered, beautiful blend of heart, humor, and insight. I was fully immersed in that awkward, challenging, weird, sweet middle school period of growing up, and I didn't want the story to end. Through Andy’s eyes, many different identity questions and struggles are explored: immigrant family relationships, evolving friendships, micro-aggressions, bullying, and trichotillomania. It’s all handled in a balanced, empathetic manner, and tweens will relate. Plus, the story is full of funny moments!

Have you ever read a book and you feel like the author must be such a good human, you want to give them a hug? I’m sending a big hug to Jack Cheng for writing this novel. Readers will appreciate it on many levels.

[Patrick Flores-scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent the last fifty pages of this book with tears pressing up against the back of my eyes. Andy Zhou goes through SO MUCH as he learns that being a great friends means being yourself...or engaging in the struggle to find and become yourself. This book is quiet and subtle and contemplative, on its way to packing an emotional punch. Jack Cheng sucks you in with details about food and art and life in a Shanghainese-American family and a diverse community in Detroit, MI...and suddenly, before you know how it happened, every move Andy makes in his troubled friendships and with his family and as a budding artist, all feel so high stakes, and you are completely in Andy's world, hoping that he makes it through the immense challenges of his sixth grade hear. I loved it.

[chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Jack Cheng so much. One of my favorite children's authors. This will definitely be one of my favorite new books this year.

Also we need more grumpy nonbinary authority figures in fiction, just saying.

Some quotes:

I realize something that's always bothered me about the sorting hat. I know it's magic and all, but it's ridiculous that a weird talking hat gets to decide your whole future. Because what if you get sorted into the wrong house? Are you just stuck there forever?

I feel how much I'm squeezing, and straining, just to hold myself small.

So much is happening, all of the time.

[Brian Alan S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I did not like Jack Cheng’s first book - See You in the Cosmos - I was attracted to this book’s cover and I have noticed it’s blurbs by two Newbery Winning authors: Erin Entrada Kelly and Tae Keller. So, I gave this book a chance and it was a pretty good book. I enjoyed it. It’s middle grade fiction about friendship drama and family. The protagonist - Andy - is Chinese American and has trichotillomania. According to Tae Keller’s blurb: “Seeing Andy come into his own is a joy and a journey.”

[Jan Raspen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this book on audio, and it was good! When voicing Andy's father, the narrator tended to shout, which I have now determined is a pet peeve of mine. I want the narration to not blow out my ears, which could be more an issue of sound engineering than the narrator's voicing choices.
I think the author did a good job of capturing so many issues facing middle schoolers without being didactic. This would be a great bookclub discussion book for students, even talking about the title and thinking about what "masks" Andy wore.

[Citrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'M DSJLKJDLGOUWIEDK:SL JDGHFKSJL:AKDDUFIEJOKDSLADSJ i am so proud of this cringe-ass little man he is basically me <3

anyway i felt attacked and seen and healed by this entire book i cannot express how much love i have for silly little stories about silly little asian-american kids with their silly little families and traumas and connections. sooo many great little nuggets of insight on friendship + family dynamics and self-expression and oh my god the spidey sense thing but for racism/microaggressions was so real. love love love <33

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kids in Metro Detroit will love the familiar setting. References to places that they know will really enhance the reading. I appreciate the look into life as an Asian American student. The microaggressions that are faced daily is eye-opening. I felt a bit that this book tried to tackle too many issues all at once. Friendship changing, aging grandparents, bullies, eating disorders, discrimination, cultural identity, lbgtq issues. I think it would have been better served to pick a few of these. It just felt very heavy by the end with all the compounding concerns.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story. There is so much to like about this book. The writing is gorgeous, the characters are fully realized, and what they go through is so relatable and perfectly pitched to the tween experience. It feels like it really captures the essence of discovering yourself, or trying to, amid all the confusion of growing up. It also touches on serious topics, like racism, anxiety, and eating disorders, but all without feeling forced. It is woven into the story, much like these issues are woven into our lives. Touching, fantastic read.

[JoJo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartfelt middle grade novel about figuring out who you are outside of others’ expectations and dealing with the people you love changing. I loved the portrayal of complex relationships between Andy and Cindy, Jameel, and his grandparents, and that of a shy kid coming into his own. The simple prose was effortlessly evocative, painting full-bodied scenes in few words. A common thread among seemingly all middle grade I read, it really represents how a book will mean different things to you at different stages in your life.

[Andrea Cronin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Used as a read aloud for a 5th grade class. It has a lot of great openings to discuss themes that are very relevant to entry-level middle-schoolers and excellent examples of figurative language with some recurring metaphors.

That said, this was very slow-moving. Engagement level during read aloud was middling at best and we voted (twice) to decide whether to abandon it in course (55% voted to continue both times).

Great choice for middle grade readers that enjoy realistic fiction about friendship, but I recommend that they come to this book on their own.