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Five Things About Ava Andrews
A story about a shy eleven-year-old who learns to manage her anxiety through improv classes—and discovers her activist voice.
Eleven-year-old Ava Andrews has a Technicolor interior with a gray shell. On the inside, she bubbles with ideas and plans. On the outside, everyone except her best friend, Zelia, thinks she doesn’t talk or, worse, is stuck-up. What nobody knows is that Ava has invisible disabilities: anxiety and a heart condition.
Ava hopes middle school will be a fresh start, but when Zelia moves across the country and Ava’s Nana Linda pushes her to speak up about social issues, she withdraws further. So Ava is shocked when her writing abilities impress her classmates and they invite her to join their improv group, making up stories onstage. Determined to prove she can control her anxiety, she joins—and discovers a whole new side of herself, and what it means to be on a team.
But as Ava’s self-confidence blossoms, her relationship with Zelia strains, and she learns that it isn’t enough just to raise your voice—it’s how and why you use it that matters.
Eleven-year-old Ava Andrews has a Technicolor interior with a gray shell. On the inside, she bubbles with ideas and plans. On the outside, everyone except her best friend, Zelia, thinks she doesn’t talk or, worse, is stuck-up. What nobody knows is that Ava has invisible disabilities: anxiety and a heart condition.
Ava hopes middle school will be a fresh start, but when Zelia moves across the country and Ava’s Nana Linda pushes her to speak up about social issues, she withdraws further. So Ava is shocked when her writing abilities impress her classmates and they invite her to join their improv group, making up stories onstage. Determined to prove she can control her anxiety, she joins—and discovers a whole new side of herself, and what it means to be on a team.
But as Ava’s self-confidence blossoms, her relationship with Zelia strains, and she learns that it isn’t enough just to raise your voice—it’s how and why you use it that matters.
8 pages, Audible Audio
First published June 9, 2020
59 people are currently reading
2926 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Dilloway
12 books446 followersAward-Winning Books for Preteens and Adults
Margaret started writing stories in kindergarten. Ever since then, she's used writing to understand the world and entertain people.
She loves improv, attempting complicated baking recipes, hiking, and dollhouse miniatures.
Awards:
-MOMOTARO: XANDER AND THE LOST ISLAND OF MONSTERS: Winner of the American Library Association's Asian/Pacific American Librarian Honor Award
-THE CARE AND HANDLING OF ROSES WITH THORNS. American Library Association's Literary Tastes Award for Best Women's Fiction
Margaret started writing stories in kindergarten. Ever since then, she's used writing to understand the world and entertain people.
She loves improv, attempting complicated baking recipes, hiking, and dollhouse miniatures.
Awards:
-MOMOTARO: XANDER AND THE LOST ISLAND OF MONSTERS: Winner of the American Library Association's Asian/Pacific American Librarian Honor Award
-THE CARE AND HANDLING OF ROSES WITH THORNS. American Library Association's Literary Tastes Award for Best Women's Fiction
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
January 25, 2021
3.5 stars
I thought this book was really cute! I really loved the anxiety rep (which felt like it was calling me out 24/7, I’m not gonna lie). I also thought the way it handled friendships and growing distant with old friends and making new friends was really neat! I did feel like, at times, this book was trying to be too many things and explore a lot of topics which resulted in a lot of them not being explored to the extent that they could have been, in my opinion. This was especially the case for me with the activism plotline, which felt really underdeveloped and rushed. Overall, though, I had a really good time reading this book and getting called out by the anxiety rep!! Definitely recommend this one!!
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trigger warnings: anxiety, panic attacks, hospital
rep: MC with anxiety & noncompaction cardiomyopathy
I thought this book was really cute! I really loved the anxiety rep (which felt like it was calling me out 24/7, I’m not gonna lie). I also thought the way it handled friendships and growing distant with old friends and making new friends was really neat! I did feel like, at times, this book was trying to be too many things and explore a lot of topics which resulted in a lot of them not being explored to the extent that they could have been, in my opinion. This was especially the case for me with the activism plotline, which felt really underdeveloped and rushed. Overall, though, I had a really good time reading this book and getting called out by the anxiety rep!! Definitely recommend this one!!
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trigger warnings: anxiety, panic attacks, hospital
rep: MC with anxiety & noncompaction cardiomyopathy
December 25, 2022
Yes the themes are transparent, the educational value obvious. But it's still an engaging and fun read. What I found particularly noteworthy is that the author is challenged with the same conditions as Ava, but even though that would (one assumes) give her an informed perspective, she also reached out to her communities to get more background & details. I also see that she's written works for adults... I wonder if I'd like to consider them (her other children's book is on my list).
So, one thing it got right is minding the difference between social anxiety and introversion. Thank you, Ms. Dilloway.
It also made the complex challenge of becoming a long-distance friend believable. Not always do kids who move drift apart, but not always is it easy to stay friends, either.
I was a bit exasperated that so few people actually showed up to the first hearing about the development - not even the shop owners? I suppose they were cynical and felt defeated, instead of motivated. Kids tend to have more optimism and energy, thank goodness.
This would be a good book for group discussion. Thinking about the pov of Luke, and Ty, and the shop owners, the classroom teacher, and even the different perspectives of Jichan & Nana Linda, would give youngsters plenty of ideas to share.
Bonus is that two excellent improv exercises (games) are described in the back matter.
Highly recommended to anyone who wants to make friends or be a better friend, or who wants to fight developers or other bullies.
So, one thing it got right is minding the difference between social anxiety and introversion. Thank you, Ms. Dilloway.
It also made the complex challenge of becoming a long-distance friend believable. Not always do kids who move drift apart, but not always is it easy to stay friends, either.
I was a bit exasperated that so few people actually showed up to the first hearing about the development - not even the shop owners? I suppose they were cynical and felt defeated, instead of motivated. Kids tend to have more optimism and energy, thank goodness.
This would be a good book for group discussion. Thinking about the pov of Luke, and Ty, and the shop owners, the classroom teacher, and even the different perspectives of Jichan & Nana Linda, would give youngsters plenty of ideas to share.
Bonus is that two excellent improv exercises (games) are described in the back matter.
Highly recommended to anyone who wants to make friends or be a better friend, or who wants to fight developers or other bullies.
July 7, 2020
I think this book is perfect for any young reader or reader who suffers anxiety. It's definitely not something we see everyday on our bookshelves. Unfortunately, this one wasn't meant for me.
March 21, 2021
Five Things About Ava Andrews is a sweet and true-to-life portrayal of anxiety in middle-grade literature. With a sharp protagonist and realistic family members, this book is perfect for those who like books about siblings. Ava Andrews reminds readers that we all have different struggles and sometimes all we need to do is look beyond ourselves. If you’re looking for a therapy-positive middle-grade book about anxiety, a middle-grade book featuring improv (like Jessica Kim's
Stand Up, Yumi Chung!
does with comedy) or one with activism — then you’ll love this book!
Read my full review on my blog.
Read my full review on my blog.
July 26, 2021
I love the main character; the author captured her voice perfectly! This is a very positive story without pointless sentimentality. It does an excellent job of representing anxiety as well as life with a heart defect, showing that life with a disability can be as meaningful and joyful as life without one.4.5 stars
October 10, 2020
4.5
One of the best books I've ever read that portrays a tween having anxiety. Ava's anxiety attacks felt so real, I felt like I was having them at the same time she was. I love how she uses Improv to work on her social skills, particularly the fact that she is painfully shy and not the best at raising her voice when she needs to. This story focuses on activism and how we need to raise our voices to protect those and things we love, and how if we allow others to take power from our voice, how detrimental that can truly be. Absolutely loved this story and the friendships that Ava makes (I also loved her Nan!)
One of the best books I've ever read that portrays a tween having anxiety. Ava's anxiety attacks felt so real, I felt like I was having them at the same time she was. I love how she uses Improv to work on her social skills, particularly the fact that she is painfully shy and not the best at raising her voice when she needs to. This story focuses on activism and how we need to raise our voices to protect those and things we love, and how if we allow others to take power from our voice, how detrimental that can truly be. Absolutely loved this story and the friendships that Ava makes (I also loved her Nan!)
August 29, 2022
I liked the message about talking it out with bullies when they're just kids who are hurting and are scared. I liked how Ava found her confidence through improv and grew to appreciate her own voice. I hope the chronic illness and (invisible) disability rep will help kids see themselves and help others learn and understand better what peers are going through.
Otherwise this wasn't a favourite, middle of the road.
Content Warnings: anxiety and anxiety attacks, medical content (including emergency), chronic illness (heart condition), bullying.
Otherwise this wasn't a favourite, middle of the road.
Content Warnings: anxiety and anxiety attacks, medical content (including emergency), chronic illness (heart condition), bullying.
October 17, 2020
this book vs calling me out, constantly
September 3, 2020
This book almost made me cry. Is it possible to be proud of a fictional kid's growth?
July 24, 2021
Hmmmm maybe improv sounds like more fun than I thought……..also bonus points for mentioning an animated tv show. Good job, an overall enjoyable book for me.
March 19, 2020
Starting middle school is scary, but it's even scarier when your best friend moved across the country. Ava Andrews tries to navigate it alone, but her classmates make a lot of assumptions about her shy nature. They don't know she has a heart condition and clinical anxiety. Things begin to look up when Ava joins her school's improv class, and discovers her confidence when she and her new friends band together to save their community from being torn down and turned into a resort hotel. Five Things About Ava Andrews is all about personal growth, finding your people, and using your voice. Inspiring and wonderful.
January 12, 2022
I read this book because a patron was very excited to read it a second time. It was one of those reader advisory's where she knew almost everything about the book except the title and when we found it she beamed! I knew I had to read it. This was a great realistic fiction read dealing with mental health, specifically anxiety. Ava, the main character, also had heart surgery when she was younger and currently has a pacemaker. When she gets anxious she worries her heart will fail her. To overcome her anxiety she joins her schools improv group. A story of friendship and overcoming fears. Great for 5-7th graders.
April 26, 2021
If you had told me there was a book about doing improv to fight gentrification, I would've thought you were making up a book tailored specifically to my interests. This book rules.
Start to finish, I was charmed by this book and how it dealt with lofty topics in meaningful but accessible ways. Ava has anxiety and a heart condition, both of which impact her daily life, but she learns how to not define herself by these things. Also, she fights real estate developers and testifies at local government hearings to try to save a beloved part of town. Again, this book rules.
Start to finish, I was charmed by this book and how it dealt with lofty topics in meaningful but accessible ways. Ava has anxiety and a heart condition, both of which impact her daily life, but she learns how to not define herself by these things. Also, she fights real estate developers and testifies at local government hearings to try to save a beloved part of town. Again, this book rules.
June 25, 2020
Very sweet book about a shy girl who gains self confidence.
August 23, 2022
Maybe 4.5, but I hope any 4th to 7th grade girls struggling with anxiety find this book!
March 1, 2025
So glad our club is reading this book!!! Such a great example for kids on how to navigate social anxiety, friendships and standing up for what's right.
January 18, 2025
Five Things About Ava Andrews was a gut punch for me. The next two paragraphs are personal, if you want to skip straight to the "why this book is awesome" portion, it starts at paragraph 3. My daughter has panic attacks and severe social anxiety, which started when she was in kindergarten. I struggled with her school for 2 and a half years trying to get accommodations for her, and watching her suffer without being able to help was so hard. She started regular therapy in the first grade and got an anxiety diagnosis, we started learning and using calming techniques, and I tried very hard to get the school to cooperate with me to give her some help in the classroom setting. We got her a 504 plan, which was supposed to help implement some of the things her therapist (whose office was on school grounds) suggested to help her get through the day. Her third grade teacher was new and she did not have the temperament to deal with anxiety. She frequently did things that increased my daughter's stress levels, like calling on her in class, telling her to hurry or correcting her in front of her classmates, making her read out loud, things like that. My daughter would have a breakdown and the next day it would take us 2 hours to calm down enough to get to school. I would have a talk with the principal, things would improve, then her teacher would start in again. Things just kept getting worse until one day she was sent home with a referral stating that she had been sent to the principal's office for failing to follow her teachers instructions and willful insubordination. My daughter was beside herself, she was sobbing so hard I couldn't even understand what she was saying. I kept her home the next day and called the principal to find out what happened. She said that the teacher asked my daughter to read during "circle time" and my daughter started to get upset. One of the other kids called her a crybaby, so she slumped down and covered her face with her hair. Her teacher was telling her, repeatedly, to stop crying and read the passage out loud, and my child was "curled in the fetal position on the mat, refusing to move or respond." Word for word what was written on her referral. I was LIVID. I was on the phone with the principal for an hour, and the main thing I wanted was for her to tell me what business she thought someone had teaching children if they were not capable of recognizing a trauma response when they see one.
The school was not following the 504, my child was miserable, her grades were suffering, I felt like I was constantly having to battle the school to get help for her. I had a binder of all of my daughter's paperwork, her diagnoses, her treatment plans, her medications, her medical records, and my communications with the school (I'm a lawyer, full disclosure) and kept a calendar of phone calls. It was a 3 1/2-inch binder, and it was full. The day of the referral, I pulled my child out of public school and have been homeschooling her since. She completed the third grade at home and is currently halfway through the fourth grade. And it has gone beautifully. Without feeling the pressure to rush (or being told to take her time because her rushing was causing her to mess up - both things that were frequently on her progress reports from her teacher, often directly next to each other) my daughter started getting As. She is killing it in math and science. We are watching fun history documentaries, she loves her language classes, and most importantly, if she needs a mental health break she gets one.
Which brings me to Five Things About Ava Andrews. I recognized so much of my daughter in Ava. I would be absolutely shocked to find out that Margaret Dilloway did not have some expertise in child psychology or have a child with anxiety because her depiction of Ava was dead on. I only wish my daughter's school was even half as helpful as the school Ava goes to in the book. My daughter and I read it together and she was so excited to read about someone who is like her. She always felt so lonely at school, she would sit by herself at lunch and recess, and she would constantly ask me if she was normal, if there were other kids out there like her. It meant so much to have positive representation of someone with the same mental health struggles as her, to know that she was not alone, that other kids had these same struggles. She felt so connected to Ava, and she's currently reading through the book again on her own. We even ordered a book on improv because she wanted to see if it helped her the way it helped Ava. So far we've just been doing the exercises in the living room but they're fun, and when she's starting to feel anxious, I'll start a game. It has been so effective. My daughter is smiling more, crying less, stressing less, she's gotten better at recognizing her triggers and using the tools at her disposal to calm herself down, and now we've added improv to that list.
The school was not following the 504, my child was miserable, her grades were suffering, I felt like I was constantly having to battle the school to get help for her. I had a binder of all of my daughter's paperwork, her diagnoses, her treatment plans, her medications, her medical records, and my communications with the school (I'm a lawyer, full disclosure) and kept a calendar of phone calls. It was a 3 1/2-inch binder, and it was full. The day of the referral, I pulled my child out of public school and have been homeschooling her since. She completed the third grade at home and is currently halfway through the fourth grade. And it has gone beautifully. Without feeling the pressure to rush (or being told to take her time because her rushing was causing her to mess up - both things that were frequently on her progress reports from her teacher, often directly next to each other) my daughter started getting As. She is killing it in math and science. We are watching fun history documentaries, she loves her language classes, and most importantly, if she needs a mental health break she gets one.
Which brings me to Five Things About Ava Andrews. I recognized so much of my daughter in Ava. I would be absolutely shocked to find out that Margaret Dilloway did not have some expertise in child psychology or have a child with anxiety because her depiction of Ava was dead on. I only wish my daughter's school was even half as helpful as the school Ava goes to in the book. My daughter and I read it together and she was so excited to read about someone who is like her. She always felt so lonely at school, she would sit by herself at lunch and recess, and she would constantly ask me if she was normal, if there were other kids out there like her. It meant so much to have positive representation of someone with the same mental health struggles as her, to know that she was not alone, that other kids had these same struggles. She felt so connected to Ava, and she's currently reading through the book again on her own. We even ordered a book on improv because she wanted to see if it helped her the way it helped Ava. So far we've just been doing the exercises in the living room but they're fun, and when she's starting to feel anxious, I'll start a game. It has been so effective. My daughter is smiling more, crying less, stressing less, she's gotten better at recognizing her triggers and using the tools at her disposal to calm herself down, and now we've added improv to that list.
July 12, 2020
As someone who has anxiety, like this book's protagonist, I have to say that this story really resonated with me. There are so many kids out there like Ava, who struggle with fears big and small and keep quiet about all of it, who haven't yet found their voice. I loved following along Ava's journey as improv opens her up -- to new experiences, and to parts of herself she didn't know yet -- like how powerful her voice could be, when it comes to issues that matter to her and her community. I love, too, how Dilloway captures what's going on in cities like San Diego, with sky-rocketing real estate prices and gentrification, and how it affects everyone in the community, including the young people, who are aware of so much more than we sometimes think.
February 5, 2021
Five Things About Ava Andrews definitely earned 5 stars from me. It's an own voices middle grade novel that tells the story of Ava Andrews, a sixth grader, struggling with anxiety and a heart condition. I don't struggle with anxiety but I know people who do, and this book did a great job unpacking what that looks like and feels like for people living with it. It was eye opening for me and helped me better understand what others may be going through.
The characters are lovable, the plot is great, and it deals with other topics like activism, family relationships, and friendship. Highly recommend this for adults and middle graders alike.
The characters are lovable, the plot is great, and it deals with other topics like activism, family relationships, and friendship. Highly recommend this for adults and middle graders alike.
August 11, 2020
Dilloway captures how a child with anxiety views the world. Ava not only struggles with anxiety but has a rare heart condition as well. Learning to balance these two conditions makes her appear stand offish as she rarely talks. Finding a cause to rally behind (saving her local pier shops) and taking an Improv class, helps her find her courage and the confidence to speak up for herself and for others.
September 24, 2021
I love this book. It makes me feel confident, especially because of Ava's improve it's like she has a team and i like it when people work together to accomplish something. Also when in the end she couldn't say her speech but she got back up again because she had friends who believed in her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2021
I think that the author tried to make it relatable, but failed. She didn’t go into much detail about her heart condition that made me angry. I could see Ava’s character being more fun if she was a bit older but she’s ELEVEN. SHE HAS A HEART CONDITION AND CRIPPLING ANXIETY? I’m sorry but no.
July 27, 2021
Ava Andrews has a lot to say but can’t find the voice to say it. She suffers from anxiety and a heart condition which often leaves her a prisoner of her own mind. With her best friend Zelia moved across the country right before the start of middle school she isn’t sure if she’ll find her place at all. After hearing a piece of her writing in class, a fellow student invites her to join the improv team. Despite her anxiety Ava finds confidence while doing improv and with her new friends. When their theatre is affected by a business group that wants to develop Navegando Point Ava is inspired to speak out. Can she overcome her fears and find her voice to save the community?
This book spoke to me. When I was 20 my best friend passed away and I turned to an improv class to help put myself back together. I had always enjoyed comedy and thought perhaps by learning about it I would be able to see more joy again. People were in class for many different reasons, but there was a large amount that were aiming for more confidence and improv definitely did help with it. I really fell in love with improv and wished it was more common in schools. When I heard there was a middlegrade novel that showed how it can help find your voice I had to pick it up. It sounded perfect. A grey figure in a world of colours, improv, fighting against gentrification, Star Wars and Roald Dahl references. I loved every minute.
Going into this book I was a little nervous the humour might not be great or the relation to anxiety might get lost but was happily surprised that was not the case. The story is really fun, empathetic, and encourages activism. Ava`s a great character that you really feel for. By sharing what it`s like to live with anxiety and trying to assume positive intent, I think we could all learn a lot from Ava. Perhaps it`s knowing you`re not alone, becoming more compassionate, or finding the courage to confront your fears.
Five Things About Ava Andrews is a fantastic middlegrade novel that I think would augment many children’s lives one way or another. A great conversation about invisible disabilities, finding your voice, and an introduction to improv - complete with a few simple game instructions at the back!
This book spoke to me. When I was 20 my best friend passed away and I turned to an improv class to help put myself back together. I had always enjoyed comedy and thought perhaps by learning about it I would be able to see more joy again. People were in class for many different reasons, but there was a large amount that were aiming for more confidence and improv definitely did help with it. I really fell in love with improv and wished it was more common in schools. When I heard there was a middlegrade novel that showed how it can help find your voice I had to pick it up. It sounded perfect. A grey figure in a world of colours, improv, fighting against gentrification, Star Wars and Roald Dahl references. I loved every minute.
Going into this book I was a little nervous the humour might not be great or the relation to anxiety might get lost but was happily surprised that was not the case. The story is really fun, empathetic, and encourages activism. Ava`s a great character that you really feel for. By sharing what it`s like to live with anxiety and trying to assume positive intent, I think we could all learn a lot from Ava. Perhaps it`s knowing you`re not alone, becoming more compassionate, or finding the courage to confront your fears.
Five Things About Ava Andrews is a fantastic middlegrade novel that I think would augment many children’s lives one way or another. A great conversation about invisible disabilities, finding your voice, and an introduction to improv - complete with a few simple game instructions at the back!
April 13, 2020
All of us know to some degree the fear of starting a new school or what it’s like to lose a best friend, but what if you have severe anxiety and a chronic illness compounding those normal life hurdles? Ava Andrews affords you a glimpse into this world. While it took took me a few pages to adjust to the flow of writing, I was soon sucked in by the turbulent thoughts and emotions of Ava. She’s struggling to keep her head afloat and please everyone, but outwardly her silence and inaction lead others to believe she’s lazy and snobbish. She struggles to know how much she should push herself. Is she stuck forever like this? Or can she find a way to grow and change through improv?
This book provides an authentic view into anxiety. Ava is trying her best, using the tools she learns in therapy, but at times her anxiety overwhelms her. Readers with anxiety will recognise the difficult balance of knowing when avoidance becomes a crutch. Readers without anxiety will learn how you really can’t know the internal struggles and obstacles a person faces just by looking at them. It offers a realistic window into what it’s like to have an “invisible illness.” Not everyone will believe you, even family members, and this doubt will often lead you to doubt yourself.
Throughout the book Ava and her new friends fight to save an area of town from gentrification. What might be the main plot in other books the author uses effectively as a subplot to highlight the growth of Ava as she struggles to find her own voice.
While Ava dominates the book, the other characters are engaging and play refreshingly against stereotype. I found I couldn’t put this book down. Ava is a fighter, though she probably wouldn’t say so herself, and it’s joyous to see her growth. I would highly recommend this book. For some it will be a window into anxiety, but more importantly for others it will be a mirror that validates their experiences.
This book provides an authentic view into anxiety. Ava is trying her best, using the tools she learns in therapy, but at times her anxiety overwhelms her. Readers with anxiety will recognise the difficult balance of knowing when avoidance becomes a crutch. Readers without anxiety will learn how you really can’t know the internal struggles and obstacles a person faces just by looking at them. It offers a realistic window into what it’s like to have an “invisible illness.” Not everyone will believe you, even family members, and this doubt will often lead you to doubt yourself.
Throughout the book Ava and her new friends fight to save an area of town from gentrification. What might be the main plot in other books the author uses effectively as a subplot to highlight the growth of Ava as she struggles to find her own voice.
While Ava dominates the book, the other characters are engaging and play refreshingly against stereotype. I found I couldn’t put this book down. Ava is a fighter, though she probably wouldn’t say so herself, and it’s joyous to see her growth. I would highly recommend this book. For some it will be a window into anxiety, but more importantly for others it will be a mirror that validates their experiences.
July 29, 2020
Five Things About Ava Andrews by Margaret Dilloway and it is an empowering story of a young girl who finally finds her voice.
• • •
6th grade is not starting out on a good note for Ava Andrews. Her best friend Zelia has moved across the country and she is starting middle school on her own. Ava wants to make new friends but she suffers from debilitating anxiety that is so severe she will have anxiety attacks when forced to talk to people. Add to that the fact that Ava has a bad heart, and you have a recipe for possible disaster. When Ava is approached by a friend of Zelia’s about joining an improv class, at first she is convinced improv isn’t for her. But when everyone in her life starts making comments about how there is no way she could possibly do improv, Ava puts her foot down and says yes. Through improv Ava begins to find her voice and she definitely has a LOT to say!
• • •
Everybody in the story has a different perception of who Ava is - including Ava herself. It really makes the reader consider the fact that you don’t always know everything that is going on in someone’s life and that they could very well be going through something that you don’t know about or don’t understand.
• • • 💚🤐🗣🍦🎭🚑🎥🧁💜• • •
• • •
6th grade is not starting out on a good note for Ava Andrews. Her best friend Zelia has moved across the country and she is starting middle school on her own. Ava wants to make new friends but she suffers from debilitating anxiety that is so severe she will have anxiety attacks when forced to talk to people. Add to that the fact that Ava has a bad heart, and you have a recipe for possible disaster. When Ava is approached by a friend of Zelia’s about joining an improv class, at first she is convinced improv isn’t for her. But when everyone in her life starts making comments about how there is no way she could possibly do improv, Ava puts her foot down and says yes. Through improv Ava begins to find her voice and she definitely has a LOT to say!
• • •
Everybody in the story has a different perception of who Ava is - including Ava herself. It really makes the reader consider the fact that you don’t always know everything that is going on in someone’s life and that they could very well be going through something that you don’t know about or don’t understand.
• • • 💚🤐🗣🍦🎭🚑🎥🧁💜• • •
September 22, 2022
3.75. Unfortunately I didn’t super enjoy my time with this one. Whenever I put it down I just didn’t feel compelled to pick it back up again. This might be because the pacing was slow and the narrative took a WHILE to set things up. I’m so bummed about it because I thought I would love it, seeing as I have anxiety and other invisible disabilities like Ava does.
The disability rep itself was great. The anxiety rep was very true to what my internal monologue looks like when my mental health isn’t so good. I can’t speak to the noncompaction cardiomyopathy rep but I could relate to the fact that people misjudged Ava because they either didn’t know she was disabled, or didn’t understand her disability.
I actually found myself liking the improv aspect and thought it was a realistic way of Ava learning how to manage her anxiety. I also thought the local activism was a good storyline, and liked how improv tied into it too. Functionally, it added depth to the narrative and to Ava’s character development, but more importantly it was great to see that behaviour modelled for young readers.
Finally, I did enjoy the last third a whole lot better than the first two thirds. But, despite all this praise, my rating ultimately came down to my enjoyment of the book, which was low overall.
The disability rep itself was great. The anxiety rep was very true to what my internal monologue looks like when my mental health isn’t so good. I can’t speak to the noncompaction cardiomyopathy rep but I could relate to the fact that people misjudged Ava because they either didn’t know she was disabled, or didn’t understand her disability.
I actually found myself liking the improv aspect and thought it was a realistic way of Ava learning how to manage her anxiety. I also thought the local activism was a good storyline, and liked how improv tied into it too. Functionally, it added depth to the narrative and to Ava’s character development, but more importantly it was great to see that behaviour modelled for young readers.
Finally, I did enjoy the last third a whole lot better than the first two thirds. But, despite all this praise, my rating ultimately came down to my enjoyment of the book, which was low overall.
August 1, 2020
Link to my book talk: https://youtu.be/WX0M-OMkfjk
This book is about Ava Andrews finding what she loves to do and learning about who she really is! Ava is surrounded by her community, but it might all go away because a company is going to make her town more "posh." She is determined to save the place that she loves with her new friends. Along the book, Ava finds her passion and talent. It is up to YOU to find out what it is!!
I love this book because the main character Ava grows so much! She was once a shy and nervous person, but through the book, she becomes fearless and brave. I also love this book because there are so many problems that Ava and her community need to solve and encounter. This makes "Five Things About Ava Andrews" so fun to read!!
I loved every part of the book and I would not change a thing about it. Every moment is super capturing. "Five Things About Ava Andrews" hooks you into reading it and making thoughtful ideas like, what is Ava going to do next? One problem that I had was that I could not put this book down!
I would definitely recommend this book to my friends because Ava speaks up for her community and that is an important lesson: speak up for you and others whether the problem that somebody is bullying another person to standing up for the place you love!!
This book is about Ava Andrews finding what she loves to do and learning about who she really is! Ava is surrounded by her community, but it might all go away because a company is going to make her town more "posh." She is determined to save the place that she loves with her new friends. Along the book, Ava finds her passion and talent. It is up to YOU to find out what it is!!
I love this book because the main character Ava grows so much! She was once a shy and nervous person, but through the book, she becomes fearless and brave. I also love this book because there are so many problems that Ava and her community need to solve and encounter. This makes "Five Things About Ava Andrews" so fun to read!!
I loved every part of the book and I would not change a thing about it. Every moment is super capturing. "Five Things About Ava Andrews" hooks you into reading it and making thoughtful ideas like, what is Ava going to do next? One problem that I had was that I could not put this book down!
I would definitely recommend this book to my friends because Ava speaks up for her community and that is an important lesson: speak up for you and others whether the problem that somebody is bullying another person to standing up for the place you love!!
May 11, 2021
This feel-good story will definitely appeal to many of our readers, but I do wonder whether it could have done with a little more editing in order to move the story along a little more quickly.
Ava suffers from anxiety, which is not helped when her best and only friend Zelia moves to the other side of the country. Ava has to survive without her friend, but she gradually starts to make some new friends when she joins a local improv group.
As part of this group she starts to gain in confidence and she becomes more assertive... so much so that she starts a movement to save a local area which is due to be demolished for redevelopment.
As all this is happening she is struggling to stay connected to Zelia and a much anticipated trip to visit her is put into jeopardy.
This will appeal to readers who enjoy stories based around friendships and relationships and being your best self, but there are moments in the story where I felt I had to persevere to keep going. These were always short-lived, but it detracted a bit from what was essentially a really neat story.
Ava suffers from anxiety, which is not helped when her best and only friend Zelia moves to the other side of the country. Ava has to survive without her friend, but she gradually starts to make some new friends when she joins a local improv group.
As part of this group she starts to gain in confidence and she becomes more assertive... so much so that she starts a movement to save a local area which is due to be demolished for redevelopment.
As all this is happening she is struggling to stay connected to Zelia and a much anticipated trip to visit her is put into jeopardy.
This will appeal to readers who enjoy stories based around friendships and relationships and being your best self, but there are moments in the story where I felt I had to persevere to keep going. These were always short-lived, but it detracted a bit from what was essentially a really neat story.
December 26, 2019
Ava has a heart condition as well as anxiety that forces her to be so shy that her classmates think she is snobby. When Ava's best friend moves across the country, she finds that she has to find a way to speak up for herself, opening new doors to friendship and fun. Dilloway's novel is based on her own experiences with anxiety and heart problems and the authenticity comes across. It's wonderful to have a book for kids that shows what anxiety can do to someone so readers who experience it will know they are not alone and those that don't may view their classmates more compassionately. But the writing also reminds me of an after school special where everything works out for everyone in the end (literally all of Ava's problems are solved with positive outcomes) and the dialogue is sometimes a little hokey. I really loved Summer of a Thousand Pies, and while this book is good, it doesn't live up to that one. Review from e-galley.
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