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When Maddie, sixth-grade funny-girl (she's known for sporting fake mustaches), is diagnosed with a brain tumor, undergoing surgery prompts her to reexamine her class's friendship dynamics. She is also inspired by the school Romeo and Juliet production to fight for what matters. Based on the authors' daughter's struggle, the story is both believable and inspiring, particularly as Maddie's true friends gather--in her trademark mustaches--to help her fight her illness.