Publishers Weekly Review
| Carter (How to Be a Girl in the World) draws from her own experience of undiagnosed ADHD and dyslexia in this moving, authentically told story. Every night, blonde Wisconsin fifth grader Gwendolyn reads the list of 54 takeaways she noted from a school report mailed to her home, all of which have her believing she's "sometimes not a good student or daughter or person in general." She wishes she could live up to her single mother's expectations, but she finds her PowerKids after-school program challenging, and an outburst at the local stables, the only place she feels fully herself, has gotten her banned. So when PowerKids offers a summer horse camp, and Tyler--Gwendolyn's recently discovered half brother, who is of Greek descent and has struggles similar to hers--Gwendolyn determines to fix whatever is "wrong" with her. Carter provides searing descriptions of Gwendolyn's attempts at "appropriate" behavior ("I'm going to be good today. I just know it"), as well as of the school's differing class- and gender-related expectations for more privileged, already-diagnosed Tyler and still-searching Gwendolyn ("It's like being bad is just one thing about him and not everything about him"). A compassionate portrait of what a diagnosis can offer. Ages 8--12. Agent: Kate McKean, Howard Morhaim Literary. (Oct.) |
School Library Journal Review
| Gr 3--7--Gwendolyn Rogers has a list of 54 things that are wrong with her, compiled from the individualized education program (IEP) report she wasn't supposed to see. She is inattentive, too demanding, and overemotional, to name just a few items on the list. But somehow the adults in Gwendolyn's life can't seem to diagnose her, and Gwendolyn is convinced she's just bad. If only she were more like her half brother Tyler, who has been diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and takes medication to help him focus. Gwendolyn feels calm only when she's with horses, a privilege that was taken away from her after a bad experience at equine therapy. Gwendolyn's single mom, with the help of Tyler's mother, is finally able to get her to see Dr. Nessa, who works through treatment options with her. Throughout the novel, characters have conversations about addiction, sexism at school, and gender identity. At times the book becomes didactic, but the facts presented about gender and neurodiversity are important ones, and the overall authentic voice makes up for these moments. Dr. Nessa is cued as Black; all other characters are cued as white. VERDICT Carter draws from her own experience as a neurodivergent person to create a novel worth adding to middle grade collections. This book will resonate with neurodivergent and neurotypical kids alike.--Katharine Gatcomb, Nashua P.L., NH |
Booklist Review
| Gwendolyn Rogers has a problem, but no one can nail down what it is. She learns and responds differently than other kids, and all she wants is to "fix" herself. To make matters worse, she's positive she doesn't have just one problem, she actually has 54--the confidential school report she read said so! Adding to her anxiety, she compares herself to her stepbrother--who was diagnosed with ADHD, takes meds, and seems to have everything under control--and her BF Hattie, who appears to be perfect. Taking matters into her own hands, Gwendolyn decides to modify the 12-Step program that her mom uses to stay sober, in the hope that by acknowledging her challenges, she'll be able to control them. Sadly, that doesn't work, and it's off to see the professionals. The truth, which becomes apparent after trial and error with meds, is that Gwendolyn is perfectly herself; her neurodiversity is not right or wrong, just hers. This sensitive #OwnVoices novel by Carter balances the frustration and challenges being dealt with by all the characters. Particularly effective is the cadence of Gwendolyn's thoughts and voice, creating a likable, realistic character that readers will gravitate to and learn from. Highly readable and recommended to everyone, but particularly for those drawn to Kathryn Erskine's Mockingbird (2010) and Ann M. Martin's Rain Reign (2014). |
Kirkus Review
| Gwendolyn's IEP says there's nothing wrong with her except the 54 ways people believe she chooses to be bad. Gwendolyn knows she shouldn't have opened the school assessment about her behavior, but because she did, she knows there's nothing actually wrong with her. She's just a lazy, socially inept, defiant, whiny 11-year-old girl--not to mention the other 50 items on the report that she writes down and studies. Gwendolyn can't ever remember her pencil, forgets her homework, lashes out violently, and she's always, always in trouble. She feels balanced when she's with horses, but she's lost horse privileges ever since she had a scary, unexpected tantrum following the advice of a terrible therapist. At least she's got Tyler, the half brother she only recently learned about. Tyler's got a diagnosis of ADHD but still sometimes acts out despite treatment. But how come the teachers never call Tyler's mom when he's bad? Or the moms of any of the misbehaving boys, for that matter? Why are teachers so unhelpful and sarcastic? Gwendolyn's mother finally gets her a good therapist, and as Dr. Nessa walks them through diagnosis, bad medication reactions, adaptation, and fighting ableism, their pain and epiphanies are gut-wrenchingly genuine. Most characters read as White; Dr. Nessa is cued as Black. Incredibly reassuring and helpful for readers struggling in an ableist world. (Fiction. 11-13) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission. |
