Middletown

January 1, 2021

Gr 6 Up-Eli, who is white and doesn't mind being mistaken for a boy, has a life of positives and negatives. Positives include her older sister, Anna, and best friends Javi, who is Puerto Rican and gay, and Meena, who is Indian American and "the prettiest girl in eighth grade." Negative is Eli's crush on Meena, because Eli thinks Meena likes boys. The biggest negative, however, is Eli's mother's alcoholism, which often results in police visits and unpaid bills. When a judge orders their mother into rehab, Anna comes to court as "Aunt Lisa," the girls' temporary guardian. Their situation worsens, though, with unpaid rent and Anna disappearing for days with her boyfriend. When social services comes calling, the girls flee-but where can they go? Moon builds a compelling picture of an impoverished family struggling with hereditary alcoholism. Coping with their mother's disease and its consequences has turned both girls into expert liars who struggle to trust anyone, and make poor decisions as a result-though both also find help and hope at Alateen. The world is well-built and the characters are distinct and believable, though Eli's penchant for snooping should have been introduced earlier. Also, the encounter with Anna's birth father feels like a wasted opportunity and adds little to the story. VERDICT This realistic portrayal of a family in crisis sugarcoats nothing, but offers conditional hope for the future.-Rebecca Moore, The Overlake Sch., Redmond, WA

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February 15, 2021
Teenage sisters lie in order to stay together while their mom is in rehab. Thirteen-year-old Eli and her 17-year-old sister, Anna, are used to taking care of and covering for their alcoholic mom. After being caught driving while drunk, their mom is sent to rehab, and Anna pretends to be their Aunt Lisa so they won't get put in foster care. At first, life continues as normal. Eli goes to school and hangs out with her best friends, Javi, the only other gay kid in school, and Meena, her secret crush. Her friends don't know about Eli's home life. When money starts to run out and their lie begins to unravel, Eli and Anna have to come up with a new plan. As they discover more about their family, they also learn how to be honest with and accept help from others. Soft-hearted, lovable Eli drives this slice-of-life, coming-of-age story. Alcoholism, queerness, and gender identity and expression (Eli thinks of herself as "not quite a girl") are all deftly broached, but this is primarily a story of one kid being herself and doing the best she can. The story is never preachy, and there aren't always easy answers or explanations. Sweet, sad, funny, heartbreaking, and hopeful, it features authentic characters navigating life's complexities, big and small. Eli and family are implied White; Javi is Puerto Rican, and Meena is Indian American. A moving and memorable glimpse into one endearing middle schooler's life. (Fiction. 11-14)

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March 1, 2021
Grades 4-7 Eli doesn't care about her appearance and is smitten with her female best friend, while her fashionable, boy-crazy sister, Anna, can be harder and more cynical. Despite their apparent differences, the two have become close after years of their alcoholic mother leaving them in the lurch. When her latest drunken outing results in the prospect of separate foster homes for the girls, they concoct a daring ruse: Anna will disguise herself as an estranged aunt and take responsibility until their mother comes home. There are social workers to avoid and friends to fool, and as the lies pile up, the scheme takes its toll. Moon's heartfelt story walks the line between humor and heartbreak, never shying away from the difficult ramifications of addiction. A diverse, fully fleshed-out cast and Eli's sexuality are appreciated features but, happily, never defining points. Tough subjects are addressed here, to be sure, including a subplot involving an abusive soccer coach, but the familial love and bonds of friendship always take things to a hopeful place.

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