All About Mia

June 26, 2017
Being the middle sister is tough, especially for 16-year-old Irish-Jamaican Mia, whose older sister is academically perfect and whose younger one is a potential Olympian. When Grace the genius comes home pregnant, Mia can’t help thinking how differently her parents would react if she were in the same situation—they’re always on her case about drinking and staying out late, and not without reason. Mia has “the sort of curves that get grown men flustered,” and she relies on them to get attention; when she drinks, she puts herself into risky positions, though that’s not how she sees it. British author Williamson (The Art of Being Normal) effectively shows how Mia gets caught up in anger and resentment, making choices that alienate her from family and friends. Grace’s pregnancy eventually brings the sisters closer and gives Mia a chance to see that she’s more than just her looks. But Mia has been so busy carving a path of destruction that although the learning and growth that close the book come as a relief, they also feel a little unbelievable. Ages 14–up. Agent: Catherine Clarke, Felicity Bryan Associates.

July 1, 2017
Between academic superstar Grace and Olympics-caliber swimmer Audrey, middle-sister Mia (talent: getting wasted) can't shake the "trouble" label. When Grace arrives home pregnant after her gap year in Greece, Mia looks forward to seeing her perfect sister in disgrace for once. But after scolding Grace and her posh, white boyfriend, Sam, Mum and Dad act thrilled to become grandparents while Grace--her star undimmed--will sail on to Cambridge, Sam and baby in tow. Born prematurely, Mia's the family misfit. Grace and Audrey got their white mum's hair; Mia's "massive Afro" comes from their Jamaican dad. While her unmarried parents plan their belated wedding, schlep shy Audrey to swim practice, and help Grace and Sam, Mia parties with friends and steadfastly ignores pressure to plan her future. Her grades are appalling, but who cares? She's not university bound--she'll leave school, find work, and share a flat with chum Stella. Outwardly confident, Mia's crushed when her ex parades his new girlfriend across social media. Discovering Stella's hidden stash of university brochures feels like betrayal. Mia knows change is needed, but refusing to own her bad choices makes it hard to accept that she has the power to make good ones. Flawed, gorgeous, smarter than she knows--as revealed in her trenchant narration--Mia's a natural leader who's mostly used her considerable charisma to mislead up till now. Readers will root for Mia to get her act together on her chaotic, hilarious journey to self-discovery. (Fiction. 14-18)

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August 1, 2017

Gr 9 Up-Sixteen-year-old Mia Campbell-Richardson is a self-professed messy girl who does and says all the wrong things. She is the middle daughter of Jamaican-Irish common-law parents, Jason and Nikki. She does not know what her niche is, unlike her oldest sister, archaeology student Grace, and youngest sister, swimming prodigy Audrey. She is seen but not heard by Mum and Dad. She studies too little and beats herself up, especially when it comes to her massive Afro and short stature. She resents growing up in the shadow of Grace, who can never do any wrong in their parents' eyes. When Grace suddenly returns home from an archaeological dig in Greece, the family learns about her pregnancy. Mia sees this as an opportunity for Grace to get into trouble. She wants it to be all about Mia. Instead, Mum and Dad allow Sam Castle, the doctor boyfriend of Grace and the father of their unborn child, to stay at their home. Mia goes down a road of self-destruction. The tumultuous sibling rivalry takes an unexpected turn when two major events occur. Williamson has created one of the truest and honest characters YA fiction has not seen in a long time. Her acerbic witty one-liners and snaps will keep readers chuckling. The reference to Netflix shows and social media are fresh and current. Williamson has created a tale in which an interracial family takes center page and deals with universal family issues. VERDICT A fresh, contemporary YA for most collections.-Donald Peebles, Brooklyn Public Library

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