(2) 4-6 Shy fifth grader Jillian is fully aware she's not like her academic rival Rashida, who is popular, caught up on the latest fashions, and bold enough to speak her mind. By failing to speak up, for example, Jillian loses her opportunity to win a class math competition. But knowing that her late grandmother wanted better for her, she vows to learn how to stand up for herself by the one-year anniversary of Grammy's death. That opportunity comes with the Mind Bender competition, an all-school academic trivia contest. Once she makes the difficult decision to enter, Jillian receives support from her community of family and friends--including her maybe-not rival Rashida. Even so, the power ultimately lies within Jillian; and when tragedy strikes her family, she must muster up "just the right amount" of courage to express herself. This first-person narrative introduces a brilliant, self-actualized preteen--Jillian knows she's smart; she just remains concerned about how others will interpret her words--whose past trauma is both cleverly revealed and compassionately rendered. Readers will cheer for Jillian as she is finally able to break out of her shell.

Reviewer: Eboni Njoku | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2022