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Gephart, Donna
6 Reviews
(3)
4-6
Following the death of her mom, Amy moves in with her uncle at a creepy funeral home. Across town, anxious Miles worries about everything--but mostly his aging grandfather and the fate of his family's bowling alley. A surprising friendship ensues, offering each middle schooler an unexpected path toward healing. A unique and lovely examination of the power of friendship to pull us from the depths of grief.
Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum
(3)
4-6
Eighth graders Lily Jo and Dunkin both dislike their birth names (Timothy and Norbert, respectively) and struggle with the ways they feel their bodies betray them: for trans Lily because others assume she is a boy, and for bipolar Dunkin because he needs mood stabilizing and antipsychotic medication. While their tentative friendship is repeatedly tried by bullies, Gephart delivers an optimistic novel full of hope and heart.
Reviewer: Kazia Berkley-Cramer
(3)
4-6
With his father dead, twelve-year-old Ben takes it upon himself to help his mother financially so they don't get kicked out of their apartment. But as Ben pins all his hopes to a contest win and risky moneymaking schemes at school, his anxiety over losing everything rises. Gephart handles the concerns of lower-income kids with a deft mixture of humor and tension.
Reviewer: David Elzey
(3)
4-6
Twelve-year-old Olivia pounces when given the opportunity to audition for Kids' Week on Jeopardy! Not only could she win money for her newly unemployed mom, but the finals are in California, where her dad (whom she hasn't seen in two years) now lives. This poignant story will resonate with kids coping with divorce. Characters are well developed; secondary characters are particularly memorable.
Reviewer: Lana Barnes
(4)
4-6
David dreams of becoming a TV star like his idol Jon Stewart--but first he has to get through middle school. His anxieties are compounded when he loses his best friend then meets a girl who helps him become a star on the Internet. While David's fears are in line with his age, his narrative voice and ambitions make him sound a little older. Glos.
Reviewer: David Elzey
(4)
4-6
Vanessa would like to concentrate on spelling bees, her crush, and seventh grade. However, with her oft-absent governor mother running for president, there are distractions--particularly the threatening notes in her locker. Vanessa's subsequent worries are realistic, but her total ignorance about involvement in a national campaign is not.
Reviewer: Susan Halperin
6 reviews
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