Life in the Balance

Starred review from January 1, 2021

Gr 3-7-A young white girl struggles to deal with her mother's alcohol addiction. Only weeks before the All-Stars Softball Team tryouts, Veronica's parents announce that her mom will be going to rehab for two months. Not only will her mom be unable to help her prepare, but their financial situation means Veronica might not even be able to play. When her teammate Libby reaches out, the two new friends hatch a plan to enter a local talent show, hoping that the first place prize money will allow her to pay for the All-Star team. This marvelous middle grade novel provides an honest depiction of alcoholism and addiction. Petro-Roy's description of Veronica's anxiety will be relatable to many readers, as will her hope upon finding people with whom she can share her concerns. The author deftly describes Veronica's mounting responsibility and frustration as a result of her mother's addiction. As the child of an addict, she feels compelled to take on more and more responsibility to help her mother recover. Eventually, she expresses these feelings to her family in a gut-wrenching, powerful display of her growth. Veronica's internal dialogue is authentic, and though adults and friends offer compassion and wisdom, Veronica ultimately chooses her own path toward happiness. VERDICT A first purchase. Hand this to readers who don't mind a few tears on their way to a happy ending.-Laken Hottle, Providence Community Lib.

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2021
Grades 4-7 After Mom's alcoholism has created anger within the family and a problem at work, she leaves to spend eight weeks in rehab. Dad takes a second job and has little time for Veronica. Just when she's worked up the courage to tell Claudia, her best friend, about the situation, Claudia preempts her with the news of her parents' divorce. Reluctant to add to her friend's distress, Veronica doesn't tell her, but when Claudia discovers the secret, she feels hurt that Veronica didn't confide in her. A heart-to-heart talk sets their friendship back on course, but it will be a long time before Veronica feels that her family is right again. Still, a support group offers a gleam of hope. Petro-Roy, whose Good Enough (2019) portrays a 12-year-old at a treatment center for anorexia, writes with clarity and avoids suggesting that alcoholism is easy to manage or to live with. Given that Veronica's a sixth-grader whose family is in distress, it seems natural that friendship lies at the heart of this very readable story.

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