Happy & Sad & Everything True

by Alex Thayer

“A charming, entertaining, and true book…I would follow Dee’s advice any time.” —Gayle Forman, author of Frankie & Bug and Not Nothing

With charm and sincerity reminiscent of Judy Blume and Rebecca Stead, this debut middle grade novel is a “compassionate” (Kirkus Reviews), hopeful story about a girl finding herself through secretly giving out advice to classmates.

Back when Dee and Juniper were still friends, Dee never hid in the bathroom. Now, at the beginning of sixth grade, Dee finds herself there often. The dripping faucet is annoying, and there are other places she’d rather be—like at home and in her room with her cat, Norman. But at least Dee is safe from overenthusiastic teachers and having to see Juniper walking through the halls with her new friends. Dee would rather be alone than witness that. But it turns out Dee isn’t the only one hiding from something. There are kids all over the school worrying in secret and needing someone to talk to. After Dee helps a second grader with spelling advice, more students begin coming to Dee with their problems. It turns out she’s a good listener, and she likes helping people. And when she starts receiving mysterious notes, it seems someone out there wants to be her friend—if only they would reveal themselves.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Contemporary, Juvenile, Coming Of Age

255 pages, Hardcover

Published November 12, 2024

About the author

Alex Thayer is a former film and television actress and elementary school teacher. She lives in New England with her two sons. She is the author of Happy & Sad & Everything True and Bad Cheerleader.

Reviews

[Amina · Rating 3 out of 5]

✰ 3.5 stars ✰

​ “​And then it happens; for the second time this week, I cry. Not because I’m happy. Not because I’m sad.

I cry because I’m everything.”

Alex Thayer's debut middle grade novel, Happy & Sad & Everything True is one that captures all these emotions in a true fashion - one that will deeply resonate with everyone, regardless of age or what it feels like when they don't quite fit in.​ 🥺 Whether it's losing that one friend they always felt they could rely on, not realizing that the branches of friendship were tapering of - when they don't quite know what makes them special as individuals, until they're finally given the opportunity to express themselves with the kindness they have always had - it's a little bit of everything that reminds you of how important it is to never forget to be true to yourselves.​ 🙏🏻🙏🏻

​“​​I like helping people. It’s like when I’m helping people, there’s no room to feel lonely.”​

Dee's struggle with finding that balance of how it feels like watching her best friend slowly break apart from her, while also trying to be as helpful to those who are seeking her advice was nicely done. ​What her rather eccentric mother views as "a wonderful opportunity to make a new friend', for Dee, it was 'to be clear: this is not interesting, wonderful, or lucky.​' But, I liked her developing friendship with Harry; at times, we don't really get enough insight into what are Harry's own personal concerns, but the fact that the two of them were searching for their own ways to help each other out was a very positive and well-meaning one.​ 🩵🩵 One that captures how daunting, but still promising it is to make a new friend, while still hoping that a past friend will still be there.​ I liked the bathroom notes exchange - a bit odd, but somehow it made the whole experience an enticing one for Dee - one she wanted to be a part of and lend a helping hand The classmates who came to Dee with their own personal concerns and issues were also very endearing - very innocent and sincere that shed light on how good a person Dee is and always has been.​ 😥

​“​​Real friends are loyal, and kind, and they don’t leave.”

She waits for me to say more.

I say, “A fake friend is the opposite of that.​​”​

And I appreciated that the adults were not simply in the background; they noticed - they ​were attentive and genuinely concerned and willing to help and listen, while still being stern, but kind in their teachings - expecting Dee to give her complete attention where it was needed. I never felt annoyed by their intervention​; rather, I'm glad that they were able to help Dee out - to see the truth for what it was. ❤️‍🩹​ That ​gym scene was ​such a test of trust that I would have backed out, myself, but the courage it took to take that next step is where Dee really let go of her own restrictions.​ 👍🏻 That she opened her heart to be braver and truer to herself - happy that she could help someone openly and receive that welcome wave of gratitude. Baby steps - baby steps and you'll eventually walk with your head held high.

I know it's a strange euphemism, but it's how Dee was able to overcome her own sadness and finally learn to be happy with herself that I was happy for her, too. Her woes and fears were all too relatable and tangible; the climax - gut-wrenching, but captured with such kindness of showing how she was never in the wrong, simply misunderstood and underappreciated for her own unique talents and creativity.​ 😞 ​'But the thing is, people can get thrown away too. Thrown​ away and forgotten if they don’t do or say the exact right thing.​' There was one key moment that painfully reminded me of my own experience in fifth grade - that I wished more than anything I had my own Harry at that time who saw my work for what it was.​ 😔

​“​​Whether​ it’s making friends, or keeping friends, or balancing a three-person​ friendship, we think the root of friendship is about trust and understanding.​”​

Dee's relationship with her mother was a conflicting one, made more challenging by her father not being a part of her life. It made it difficult for her to accept her mother's easy-going nature - a source of amusement for other parents and embarrassment for her. At times, Dee did come across very forceful and insistent in her ways, very quick to be vocal about what she was feeling that led her into hot waters that questioned her own thoughts, but I get that it's not entirely her fault. 😟 'Better to be embarrassed in the truth than question in the dark.​' She was also a bit too distracted at times and did not quite take her schoolwork as seriously as she should, a point which I would have liked to have been addressed as a cause of concern, but never really came to light. It is such a sharp contrast when you think how her mind can never quite sit still in class or take her studies seriously, but when it came to giving advice to her peers and classmates, she was so very attentive. It was - an interesting comparison, and it is a shame it was never quite explained in full.​ 😕

The ending was​ an uplifting and ​heartwarming ​one - an 'emotional and true' depiction of how random acts of kindness can actually be more worthwhile and honest than those who you trusted with your heart - who you believed would always be at your side.​ 🥲 And as startling as the truth is, as much as the emotional onslaught is one that takes time to get over, Dee handled it with such grace and composure that my heart went out to her. It was difficult and even heartbreaking to accept, but what she was able to gain from that hurt - that the pain would subside and give way to relationships that were more meaningful and sincere was probably the most rewarding feeling that I was grateful for.​ 🫂🤍

*Thank you to Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this middle school book about friendships and finding oneself. Dee’s parents are divorced and her mother is definitely not the typical mom, but she loves Dee and only wants the best for her. Harry was a good friend to Dee when others had abandoned her.

[Marnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet book. Dee is in 6th grade and dealing with the changes in friendships that often brings. Her best friend Juniper, is ignoring her, and she is struggling trying to find new friends, so she hides in the bathroom during her free times. She discovers that others also hide in the bathrooms, and need her help, including her classmate Harry, with whom she develops a sweet friendship.
I enjoyed Dee's character, and liked watching her figure out some things about herself and her relationships with her mom, Juniper, and Harry. The adults in her school seem admirably focused on what's best for kids and helping their students. That being said, the whole thing wraps up a little too neatly for me. I would have liked to see some more character development with Dee and with her mom. But it was nice to have a middle-grade book that isn't super heavy, and will be recommending this to students.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

[Mark Holtzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thayer did all the right things in this contemporary realistic tale. Big feelings that override all. Friendship troubles. Misunderstandings that lead to bigger misunderstandings. Meddling adults. A juicer named Esther. And gobs and gobs of heart with a pitch perfect ending. So good.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful book. I listened to the audiobook and if I had a physical copy I would’ve hugged. Such a heartfelt story.

[Jaime · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book but it's was just too slow for me. It was too much in Dee's head and inside her head, it was too chaotic. It felt like a tornado spinning around and around and I couldn't get a firm grip on the storyline.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Dee is having a difficult year in sixth grade. Her best friend, Juniper, is in another class, and they don't have their Snack and Stretch Break together. Dee hasn't made any other friends, so she tries to spend the break in the bathroom, listening to the drip of the water and counting the tiles. After a while, she realizes that she can hear people talking through the grates in the bathroom, and has a pleasant interchange with Harry, who is in her class. Gym is after the snack break, and she is very embarassed when there is a Parent PE day and her mother shows up in a very short skirt and tall boots. Not only is she not really able to participate in a two legged race, but when she does, she is tied to the gym teacher and falls over, showing everyone her underwear! Dee is mortified, and knows that everyone is talking not only about her mother, but is also making unkind comments about Dee herself. Luckily, she is able to work on some group projects with Harry, and the two get along. Through the bathroom grates, she also helps several younger students with spelling, factual information, and some life advice. Her reputation at giving good advice spreads, and she helps out a 7th grader as well. Of course, spending this much time in the bathroom makes her teacher suspicious, and Dee is sent to the guidance counselor for a brief talk. At home, her mother, who gives spiritual readings as a way to earn money and who has been divorced from Dee's father for a long time, has Mr. Fender, Dee's gym teacher, over for dinner. When Juniper finds out about this from her mother (who is a friend of Dee's mother), she thinks it is weird and inappropriate. Harry's father, a well-to-do, motivated business man, has problems with the 6th grade curriculum, and meets with the teacher and principle to discuss his unhappiness. Dee overhears them talking, and worries that Harry will leave the school. Eventually, Dee is called to the office when Juniper complains about her conversations. Instead of punishing her for what Juniper thinks are inappropriate interactions, the principle offers Dee an advice column in the school newspaper. Dee realizes that while Juniper no longer wants to be her friend, Harry is a good person to have on her side, and some people do like her.
Strengths: This is on trend with books addressing social emotional learning topics and with the idea that it is good to share one's problems with others. There are always students who, like Dee, find it hard to make friends, so it was good to see Dee have some successes, like getting to know Harry and being offered the advice column. I was glad to see that Dee was not able to spend a huge amount of time in the bathroom and have it go unnoticed. School security is usually better than that! Teachers and librarians will enjoy this lyrical "heart print" book.
Weaknesses: There is not a lot that happens in this book, so tweens might find it a little slow. Also, Juniper's concerns about having Dee as a friend are something that she should be allowed to have, although she should not have been allowed to try to get Dee into trouble. It's also not terribly surprising that Juniper's family wanted the girls separated, but Dee's mother should not have told her about that.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like contemplative books about relationships like DiCamillo's Ferris, Swartz's Hidden Truths, or Conklin's Crushed.

[Kelly_Hunsaker_reads ... · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy & Sad & Everything True is a wonderful debut middle grade novel by ALex Thayer -- rilled with realistic, age appropriate emotions and the struggle to deal with them.

The main character is a sixth grade girl named Dee who feels like she doesn't fit in and is grieving the friend who has left her behind without explanation. She is embarrassed by her mother who dresses like a young woman, seems to be dating one of her teachers, and wears clothing that embarrasses her. Why can't she act and dress like other mothers?

But, Dee is really good at giving other kids advice, and word is starting to get around. They meet her in the bathroom and speak to her through the vents or walls, telling her their concerns... and Dee gives them great advice.

​“​​I like helping people. It’s like when I’m helping people, there’s no room to feel lonely.”​

And, along the way one of the children who she helps becomes a new friend. And it turns out that he is also helping her with her problems.

The author captured the innocence of childhood friendship and the heartbreak kids experience when a friendship ends. She allowed the children to be wise at times.

​“��​Real friends are loyal, and kind, and they don’t leave.”

And she allows them to grow and change without interference. The adults in the story are background characters -- there to support the children, presenting both problems and solutions. They never take over the story, and that allows the children to be more realistic. They learn to overcome the hard emotions and find their own footing. They learn to acknowledge what they are good at, and what they deserve. It is a sweet, tender story that everyone could relate to.

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dee has been talking to boys in the bathroom.

Any adult staff member who hears this statement about a sixth grade girl will have concerns. We know Dee better than they do and realize that nothing inappropriate is going on.

I enjoyed spending time with Dee. She struggles with making friends and after an especially embarrassing incident she takes refuge in the bathroom. What happens during that time changes her life in good ways. The girls bathroom and boys bathroom have a grate in between. Dee can hear another student is upset on the other side and offers support. Word begins to spread and soon she finds herself being asked for advice by other unseen boys -- one of my favorites is Charles who asks help with spelling and then later refers Dee to classmates like Gideon.

Dee is still confused about her changing friendship with Juniper and is sometimes unable to relate to her mom who is on the woo-woo side. She does have a fabulous cat named Norman and the folks at school will figure out a way to help Dee give her advice in a ways that does not involve hiding out in the bathroom.

There will be times when your heart hurts for Dee. You will also have the chance to laugh with her. All in all, this is a heartwarming read about a kid who is learning to be her unique self. Thank you to my GR friend Amina for bringing this one to my attention.

My appreciation to Aladdin and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Our Weekend Is Booked · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy & Sad & Everything True is a middle-grade novel that captures the struggles of growing up and fitting in at school. The story focuses on Dee, a sixth-grader who spends more and more time hiding out in the bathroom to avoid uncomfortable situations, like teachers' questions or seeing her former best friend, Juniper, with her new friend group. While in the bathroom, Dee realizes she's not the only one struggling and starts giving out anonymous advice.

What I Liked: Alex Thayer nailed the many emotions that come with being a tween/teen and navigating middle school. This book shows how hard it is to grow apart from a friend. I appreciated that Thayer did not have Dee and Juniper make up in the end and become besties. It was such an honest and realistic portrayal of how it feels when a friend moves on. Adding to these challenges, Dee also has to deal with her embarrassing mother, which adds some cringy but funny moments. Though Dee experiences sadness in losing her best friend, there's also a hopeful tone throughout the book as she connects with the kids she advises and becomes friends with Harry.

Happy & Sad & Everything True is a wonderfully written middle-grade novel that will resonate with readers thanks to its authentic portrayal of middle school.

This review first appeared on YA Books Central and can be found here: https://yabookscentral.com/happy-and-...

[Patrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Alex Thayer’s hairstylist, I’ve always said my job isn’t just cutting hair—it’s being part therapist, part hype person, and occasionally, a sounding board for some deep life truths. But nothing could have prepared me for the masterpiece that is “Happy and Sad and Everything True.”

I’ve spent hours listening to Alex talk while I worked my magic with color, and let me tell you, this book is just as insightful, warm, and unexpectedly funny as they are in my chair. Alex has this rare gift of turning everyday moments into something profound, and reading their book feels like one of our chats—except this time, they’re not interrupted by me asking, “Just a ghost trim today?”

The way Alex blends humor, heartbreak, and raw honesty in these pages is a talent I always knew they had (but now everyone else gets to see it too). It’s like sitting down with your favorite person—the one who can make you laugh until you cry and then, two seconds later, hit you with a truth so real it leaves you speechless.

“Happy and Sad and Everything True” is a love letter to being human in all its messy glory. And honestly, if this book were a hairstyle, it’d be a perfect mix of effortless and bold—just like Alex. If you haven’t picked it up yet, you’re seriously missing out.

[Genesee Area Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot to unpack about this book and it will hit home with so many people. Going from grade school into middle school brings a lot of changes. People who you have been friends with your whole life suddenly seem different. They can act like they don't know who you are, make comments about you to others and neither of you have the words to explain how you feel. Worse, you're often parroting what was said in your home about others. Middle school is difficult enough to navigate through without dealing with all the drama that surrounds friendships. Happy & Sad & Everything True follows the "weird" girl. She comes from a broken home, she smells weird. Her mom is "inappropriate," and aren't they just gross? Dee doesn't understand why her best friend no longer wants anything to do with her, but Dee realizes just how special she really is. How great her mom really is, and that being yourself, even if it's weird, will give you true friendships. This book is a great remaindered that not everything that glitters, is gold.

[Kelly {SpaceOnTheBookcase] · Rating 4 out of 5]

The middle grade debut novel Happy 7 Sad & Everything True by Alex Thayer really hones in on what it's like to be a tween and the growing pains of friendships. Main character Dee isn't as close to her friend Juniper as she used to be. Feeling emotions she doesn't know how to process, Dee spends a lot of time hiding in the bathroom. Caught crying one day she connects with a friend on the other side, but she doesn't know who it is. Dee realizes that she's actually a good listener and she likes to give advice. Unfortunately for Dee her excessive use of the bathroom doesn't go unnoticed and she's at risk of losing that lifeline.

Middle grade ages are tough, it's why no one would ever go back to them, and I felt author Alex Thayer did a great job at capturing that. I felt the story was a little slower paced than I would have liked, but it did have quite a bit of build up before it all came to a head. I would recommend this to all tweens, especially those struggling to belong.

Thank you Simon Kids for the gifted copy.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since Dee and her best friend Juniper were put into different classes at the start of sixth grade, Dee's been eating her lunch in the bathroom. One day she hears a banging on the grate, and talks to the person on the other side: Harry, a boy in her class. On another day, it's a second grader, who wants some help with his spelling. Soon the word spreads, and other kids are asking Dee for help. Unfortunately, Dee has no one to help her get her own life in order, from her embarrassing mom, the way Juniper is treating her, and falling behind in school.

It's been a hot minute since I read a book within 24 hours. I breezed through this story, totally hooked on Dee's chaotic life. Her friendship with Harry was very sweet, and the troubles with Juniper were altogether too realistic, and yet it was handled in a way where all was not lost, because Dee had also found other friends. Full of quirky and fun characters - including adults who had their own things going on, this story had both humor and heart.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dee is in a different 6th grade class than her friend Juniper, who also spent the summer at many camps. Dee is missing Juniper, especially during Stretch and Snack. This is when Dee goes to hang out in the girl’s room. She realizes that she can hear a boy on the other side of the grate, who turns out to be classmate Harry. She makes Harry feel better and she wonders if they are becoming friends. She begins to give helpful advice to other students, but Juniper is telling teachers that Dee is meeting inappropriately in the rest room. During a meeting with the counselor and principal, Dee is offered an advice column in the school paper. Dee also is embarrassed that her mom is dating her gym teacher.
Pretty slow. The excruciating parts were when teachers planned lessons for kids to critique each other’s artwork out loud, and perform the Partner Trust Lift in front of several grades. Dee also zones out a lot and misses assignments.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thayer does a good job of capturing all those big feelings in middle school when so many friendships change. Dee and Juniper were best friends, and now they are not. When they were friends, Dee had a seat at the lunch table, but now she hides in bathroom to eat. Her free spirited mother embarrasses her with her flamboyant wardrobe (why can't she be like other mothers?) IF it weren't for her cat, her life would be utterly unbearable. But after she overhears a tearful second grader through the bathroom vent and offers some kind advice, she slowly develops a reputation as someone to seek out with their problems. Juniper had always been the popular one and Dee the hanger on, quietly supporting Juniper without expecting (or receiving) that support herself. She learns through this unusual advice-giving network, the importance of a good listener, and that you don't have to be the loudest voice in the room to be the most impactful. I was given an advance copy for an honest review

[WKPL Children's/YA Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Lori read this story over a very short period of time, not wanting to put it down if only to see what would become of Dee--the main character in this book. The book doesn't have a ton of action and it is the day to day life of a young girl whose best friend has chosen other girls to "hang with". There is a LOT of "stuff" going on: sadness, embarrassment of a parent, bullying, trouble concentrating at school, making new friends, and much more. It is all wrapped up in 6th grade year of middle school.
With all the troubles the MC faced, she was able to deal with her emotions and finally talk them out to a guidance counselor. I don't know how realistic all this might be, but it was a good story that middle school kids should read and talk about....because we all know that these things occur daily!

[renee.isreading.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC. Happy & Sad & Everything True is a beautiful middle grade novel--a book that checks so many boxes for middle grade readers. Short. Relatable. Honest. In the book, new 6th grader Dee gains new friends, lets go of old friends, and finds her own voice. There's a wealth of positive adult/teen relationships and real talk about building that trust. I appreciate that Dee’s growth isn’t easy, but it is relatable. Her troubles are small, but they feel so big. Anyone who has worked with middle school students (or remembers middle school) will root for Dee and her peers as they navigate the early years of growing up and finding their friends.

[Patricia Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this wonderfully funny and nuanced novel! Thayer's depictions of Dee's first months of 6th grade is evocative of the social and emotional whirlwind that many kids face and the reader is immediately drawn into her anxieties and concerns. Embarrassing parents, frenemies, and social gaffs are explored with humor and heart and Dee's reactions to the adults around her are as well-drawn as those relating to her peers. I love unusual and potentially embarrassing names and wish that Dee's (Desdemona) was explored a little more instead of just mentioned, but that is a minor quibble. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes kids books set in the real world.

[Veronica Romanelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

YES. YES. YES.

I am not the target audience for this book, as I am a 24 year old woman, but when I ordered it for my library’s children’s collection, I decided to give it a read. I would have LOVED a book like this as a kid. The main character is so relatable and likable, and the struggles she goes through are things that middle schoolers deal with every day. I loved this book so much. The only thing I wish it had was a little bit more of a backstory for Dee’s mother. She was a vibrant character, but I wanted to know more about her.

Overall, excellent book, and I’m so happy it will be available to our library community now!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure where this book ended up on my to read list from, but I was definitely surprised how popular it was in terms of wait times. It's a solid middle grade novel worth having on shelves for kids to read, but it doesn't rise to the level of a read aloud for me... there's almost too much going on, and while there are some good themes throughout about friendship and belonging, they don't have a ton of complexity to them. Also, personally, from an education standpoint, I find it hard to believe a kid could spend that much time in the bathroom without it getting flagged a bit earlier by a teacher for discussion.

[Kiirsi Hellewell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was engaging, with a relatable main character and compelling situations she had to face. The ending was decent, though a bit rushed.

However, I was very sad by the repeated use of religious exclamations in the mouths of children. I understand that kids copy their parents and others in what they talk about. But there's no need to continually pepper the pages of a children's novel with religious exclamations. Readers of faith who care deeply about the use of God's name as a meaningless exclamation will also find this disturbing. It continually pulled me out of the story and was a detriment.

[sᴛᴀʀ - ᴍᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍʏ ʙғ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED IT! It was like real to middle school standards the part where the friend ship ended it all was very accurate like a middle school student wrote it. Harry I liked he was funny but had anxiety and adhd which everyone has to some degree I liked Dee’s advice she answered questions but didn’t make them feel bad about it she was open and kind and so very nice 😊 I loved the ending where they agreed that they liked each other. But juniper don’t get me started you reported her only because you were jealous she was friends with him and gave him a sense of self Like get over yourself and your friends suck!

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a middle grade novel with feels, and that's exactly what this is. The story focuses on Dee who is struggling with a "friend breakup" - Trying to find a place, she starts giving out advice via the vents in the bathroom. What I loved about this advice and this book is the way it navigated and addressed some real stuff - namely dynamics with parents. Reading this as a parent, I appreciated that it give voice for kids of how this can impact them and what they might do. I also loved how Dee did find a place where she fit! Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this November 2024 release!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dee’s best friend Juniper is in a different class now that they’ve started sixth grade, and Dee isn’t handling it well. Also, her mom is completely mortifying, she has no idea what’s going on with fractions, and she keeps botching her attempts to befriend Harry, a boy in her class. As she hides in the restroom each day, she overhears other kids having rough times of their own and starts giving them advice. Dee’s struggles with bullies, Big Feelings, and growing up are very relatable. The plot is slow-moving and low-stakes, which might not suit all readers. Thanks, Netgalley.

[Emily Bush · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet middle grade novel about family, friends, and finding out who you are in middle school... or trying to. Dee likes to escape from the bullies at school by hiding in the bathroom. She feels alone until one day a voice asks for help through the grate in the bathroom. Dee becomes known as someone who gives good advice, and more people at school seek her out. Unfortunately, she is also.having to deal with her best friend becoming her #1 enemy. Middle school is hard!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Ms. Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dee and her best friend, Juniper, used to be best friends. Then middle school started, and Dee feels completely lost. When a strange, small voice on the other side of the bathroom wall asks for advice, though, Dee answers. Soon she has people lining up to ask her to solve their problems. Will she ever find someone to help her solve hers?

A sweet story that I genuinely loved. Perfect for people who feel like their friendships are changing, who feel a little bit lost in middle school, or who ever wished people would just listen to them.

[Libriar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dee is navigating 6th grade without her best friend in her class and dealing with an eccentric mom. This book does a decent job showing the difficulties of tackling changing friendships; however, there were some plot lines that seemed like odd choices to me. Comparing a book to Judy Blume and Rebecca Stead sets it up for extremely high expectations. Although it is a good book, it does not shine the way I hoped it would. ARC courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley.

[Veronica Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent this whole book wishing I was in 6-B so I could be friends with the wonderful, anxious, sensitive Dee, the pitch-perfect narrator of this warm and honest middle-grade novel. If books had emoji reaction buttons, my copy of this would have hearts and smiley faces and sad faces and hugs all over its pages. It’s about losing and making friends, and about accepting and embracing your family and yourself, in the hardest time of life to do all those things. I loved it so much.

[Ariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute!! For a middle school book, I was so surprised at how good it was. I really loved Dee and Harry, they stuck up for each other and cared about one another. I really liked their friendship and how it was forged. I could NOT stand juniper and her mother, they were so annoying to deal with!! I liked how the story resolved and what happened. Even if you’re not a middle grade book reader I definitely recommend it!