HAPPY & SAD & EVERYTHING TRUE

Caitlin Kelly brings authenticity to her narration of this heartwarming debut middle-grade novel. Dee and Juniper were inseparable until sixth grade, but now they're in different classes, and Juniper seems to have found a new group of friends. Feeling isolated, Dee often hides in the bathroom, especially after an embarrassing incident with her mother. It's there she hears someone in the boys' bathroom kicking a grate. Dee strikes up a conversation with Harry about their problems, and they agree to meet again. The next day another student arrives, seeking advice and sparking others to reach out for help. Kelly masterfully captures the triumphs and challenges of this awkward age with perfectly timed nuance. She transitions seamlessly between the children's voices, making each distinct. S.K.G. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2025]