The Metamorphosis of Bunny Baxter

by Barbara Carroll Roberts

Bunny Baxter thinks nothing could be worse than starting seventh grade at a school where she knows no one. But after her first day, she realizes things can actually get much worse.

If Bunny Baxter were an insect, she’d have so many ways to slip through seventh grade unnoticed. But she’s tall instead of tiny, has flaming red Medusa hair instead of camouflage, and she suffers from social anxiety, which makes it hard to be part of a swarm. Worst of all, she’s been redistricted to a new middle school away from her best friend who she could always hide behind when her anxiety got the best of her.

The first day at E.D. Britt Middle School does not go well. Bunny trips on the steps, falls into the cutest boy in the school, and causes a kid domino pile-up. At lunch, she unintentionally causes an uproar in the cafeteria, which lands her and another girl in the principal’s office. Bunny decides there is only one option: to get expelled so she can transfer to the school her best friend attends.

She soon discovers that it isn’t that hard to get in trouble—don’t turn in your homework, walk around the track instead of run in P.E., pretend you deliberately hit someone with a badminton birdie. What isn’t so easy for Bunny is realizing she now has a reputation as a troublemaker. And even more confusing, when it looks like her plan to get expelled might work, she’s no longer sure what to do.

The Metamorphosis of Bunny Baxter is a heartfelt coming of age story about an insect-loving girl who is learning to grow into herself—quirks and all.

Genres: Middle Grade, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Animals, Sports

240 pages, Hardcover

First published July 22, 2025

About the author

Barbara Carroll Roberts is the author of a middle-grade novel Nikki on the Line and lives in Virginia with her husband, two cats, and one very goofy dog.

Reviews

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle school is a time of big change for everyone but due to redistricting, Theodosia/Bunny Baxter has to face the usual drama and physical and emotional upheavals on a completely different campus from all the kids she has known since kindergarten. All those who know and accept her even if she likes bugs and struggles with anxiety. Can she find a way to get back to the school where her best friends are and the place she is comfortable being herself?

Bunny is no different than any other 7th grader; she just wants school to be a safe place where she can be herself and not have to worry about anxiety rash moving up her neck and losing her voice when teachers call on her or classmates give her hard time for her fascination with the insect world. Because she is not active in sports or clubs that would allow her to meet kids outside of her school circle, being forced to switch districts means only knowing one other student in her grade and for Bunny that means drastic measures will need to be taken in order to get switched back and a passing comment about an alternative school gives her the mistaken idea that if she is expelled from E.D. Britt, she will be able to switch back. But things like not doing homework, adopting an uncooperative attitude and admitting to deliberately aiming a badminton birdie at a classmate’s head have put her in a position of “bad girl” that is just as uncomfortable as being at a new school. When the whole mess becomes too much, Bunny’s family, a few new friends and a class project she feels passionate about give her something new to think about and begins to open up opportunities she had no idea she even wanted.

The characters in Barbara Carroll Roberts’ (Nikki on the Line) new title are vivid and reflect the social mix of most schools-the quirky, the fine arts crew, athletic stars, technology-skilled and more. But Roberts gives readers much to think about when handsome and athletic Kyle reveals a love of art class, bug-loving Bunny discovers her klutzy self can play a mean game of badminton, and a girl who wears forks and flamingos in her hair catches the eye of sporty, well-liked Dev. We are all changing and discovering new things about ourselves for our whole lives, but probably never more than in our middle school years and this title demonstrates this clearly. Along the way are some poignant moments as Bunny has a meaningful conversation with her parents and sister about her place as an adoptee in their family, when several in Bunny’s life step up to help her battle the anxiety of an intense badminton game, and when her sister reveals her own struggles with feelings of insecurity and being overwhelmed.

Great title for those in grades 4-7 who enjoy realistic, school-based fiction with that sad-happy feel to them. Plenty of information about pollinators, gardening, and assorted insect facts mixed in plus a class activity that may give readers a number of book titles to add to the to-be-read list, too! Text is free of profanity, sexual content and violence, except that which might happen during an intense badminton match.

Thanks for sharing a signed finished copy for my former campus library and an arc to share with my book club, Barbara Carroll Roberts.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one. Middle school is hard and being an anxious middle schooler is even harder. Bunny has to transfer schools because of redistricting and she doesn't know anyone besides this one kid who lives on her street but is not friends with her. she is looked at as the weird kid because she loves bugs and is almost immediately targeted by bullies. she is a chronic overachiever with high levels of anxiety and decides to try and get kicked out of her school so that she can go to her old school thinking that that's what going to the alternative school means. this was very relatable for me because I was Bunny in school and I really loved that she found her group of people and she found her voice and was able to move forward. she doesn't get over her anxiety. I want to be really clear about that. but learning coping strategies and finding people who support you is a huge step in managing anxiety.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

This was a cute middle grade books! I think a lot of young readers will be able to relate to Bunny and her desire to fit in and friendship difficulties. Being forced to start at a new school where you don’t know anyone is really hard! I had to do it myself in eighth grade! It was really challenging, but I’m still friends, nearly thirty years later with some of the girls I met that year.

I enjoyed the inclusion of the games and the class project! I thought the pollinator garden was great and a good way to teach kids about plants and insects. I really enjoyed how everyone can together in the end to help build the garden!

Overall, this is a sweet middle grade book that I think young readers will enjoy! Especially if they’re struggling with a new school and finding it hard to fit in! I’d love to see a follow up book with this one! Bunny is such a fun character!

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be able to wok on the educators’ guide, and I loved getting to know Bunny. The story truly reflects the anxieties around starting middle school, specifically at a new school, and I loved the added awesome quirk of the insect and gardening love that Bunny has.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 4 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Theodosia "Bunny" Baxter lives with her older sister, Bella, her veterinarian mother, and garden designer father. She's struggled with anxiety her entire school career, but her friend Alex has always helped her out. Due to school redistricting, she will be starting seventh grade at E.D. Britt Middle School when everyone else from her elementary school will be attending Wade's Run. Bunny's mother knows this is stressing her out, but also knows there is no changing it, so encourages Bunny to just do her best. While Bunny makes some good decisions (gray t shirt and shorts is excellent camoflage), she makes some bad ones as well. She borrows Bella's pink, high heeled sandals, brings along a dead cicada in a baggie as an emotional support bug, and can't manage a civil conversation at the bus stop, even though neighbor (and popular 8th grader) Kyle is perfectly nice. At school, she manages to trip on the stairs and face plant... right on Kyle's butt! Other kids make fun of her, but Sylvia feels bad for Bunny and sits with her at lunch, and they are joined by Elena. Sylvia is fairly awkard as well, and a mishap ends with the dead cicada in the food of the popular 8th grader Paige. To make matters worse, Bunny ends up in Discoveries class AND gym with both Kyle and Sylvia. Kyle doesn't say anything, but Paige is mean. Bunny hears that one of the ways students can choose an alternate school is if they are a disclipline problem, and since she already has a bad attitude, it is surprisingly easy to not turn in homework, not follow the physical education teacher's directions, and generally cause trouble. Ms. Clodfelter, the Directions teacher, is super excited about her elective class, where there aren't tests; the students all think about their place in the universe. There is a project to spend two thousand dollars in grant money, and Bunny, who is extremely interested in insects, wants to put trees and a butterfly garden near the outdoor bleachers. Other projects include a photocollage of students and buying picture books for the library, and the class will vote. Bunny has found out that if she gets expelled, she doesn't get to pick an alternate school, she will get sent to The Alternative Learning Center, which is a completely different thing. Since she is now invested in her project, and has actually been making friends, she has a difficult decision when the superintendent agrees to let her transfer back to Wade's Run. Alex is invested in volleyball and her new friends, and Bunny starts to realize that she would rather compete in the Challenge Day competition at her new school, since she's discovered quite a talent for badminton. Will she stay at her new school?
Strengths: I have to say first of all that I was really torn before I started reading this. Roberts' Nikki on the Line was fantastic, but my patience with real life and fictional people who have to talk about their anxiety all the time has worn exceedingly thin. I get it; times are tough, but my mother would have slapped me sideways into Sunday if she knew how apprehensive I was about middle school. Luckily, Bunny's mother, while supportive of her daughter, also expected her to pull up her socks and get to work. Bunny's thought that she could get transferred made sense in the way that something makes sense to a 12 year old. It was great to see that both parents, as well as Bunny's sister, were involved and around, and there is also a lot of discussion about the fact that Bunny is adopted, which is something I've not seen a lot recently in middle grade literature. The best part was probably that Bunny forgot to be so anxious when she found purpose in her gardening project and had a group of people to talk to. A lot of being anxious is just having too much time on one's hands to wallow in the anxiety.
Weaknesses: At my school, it would be unusual for 7th and 8th graders to have any classes together, and it seemed slightly odd that there wasn't an opportunity for Bunny to apply for open enrollment. My district opened a new middle school last year, and I was surprised at how well even the new 8th graders assimilated. Every school district is different.
What I really think: I'm glad that Bunny is in seventh grade, and that some of her friends are in 8th, and that she has a lot of school projects and activities in which she is taking part. I wish there were more slightly humorous realistic fiction books like this, with everyday middle school problems. I would have saved up my babysitting money to buy a copy of this title, which reminded me in the best way of Betty Miles' books or the work of Ellen Conford. Hand this to readers who love Miller's Not If You Break Up With Me First, Papademetriou's Far-Fetched, or the Scholastic WISH novels.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seventh grader Bunny Baxter couldn't be more miserable about the start of the school year. Due to a redistricting plan, she must attend a different middle school than her friends. Although she hopes to at least fly under the radar at E.D. Britt Middle School, several embarrassing mishaps on the first days of school spoil those hopes. Instead, Bunny becomes the butt of jokes, the object of bullying, and a troublemaker. She hatches a plan to get sent to an alternative school, thinking that she can attend Wade's Run where her friends go. Her plan works far too well, but she has miscalculated, and the plan backfires. As time passes, Bunny becomes passionate over building a pollinator garden and some shade near the school track, and she realizes that she and her friends are changing. Could it be that she's been in the right place all along? It's likely that many readers will see parts of themselves in Bunny, who loves insects and suffers from anxiety at stressful moments, and relish being taken on her journey. The book's title fits its contents and what happens to Bunny perfectly. The characters are well drawn, complex, interesting, and just like classmates in our own middle schools. Parts of this story made me laugh while others made me sad because of how clear it is that others bully anyone who is different in any way. Still, with strong support and brave hearts, it is possible to survive all this and emerge as the beautiful, unique creatures we were meant to be. This one [3.5 for me!] would be a great choice for a class read aloud.

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

Middle school is a hard time of life. My husband teaches it, and I think he is crazy. My joke is that I didn't even like my own kids at that age...

But for Bunny Baxter it is even worse. Schools were redistricted and she is sent someplace new, away from her freinds. Bunny is an awkward girl who struggles with anxiety and has an interest in bugs. With her vivid red hair, it is hard for her not to stand out as the new girl.

Bunny wants a safe place where she can fit in and make friends, but feels like that is impossible. She isn't active in sports and clubs. Bunny hears that if you get expelled you are sent to an alternative school, which she misunderstands to mean a different school rather than the actuality. She thinks it is a way to get back to the school she originally attended. And, so, Bunny starts making trouble.

How will she learn to fit in? How will she form friendships?

This is a book about adolescence and the difficulties of finding one's identity when everything around you changes. The characters are reflective of real kids and I enjoyed the chance to follow along with their antics, watching Bunny learn and grow.

I think this book would be enjoyed by many kids in 4th-7th grade.

Thank you @candlewickpress for my #gifted copy!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

In THE METAMORPHOSIS OF BUNNY BAXTER, thanks to schools being redistricted, anxious Bunny is facing the start of middle school without the comfort of her friends. Between her height, her red hair and an unfortunate slip on the first day, her hopes of simply blending in are destroyed. This leads her to a new plan—become the “bad” kid and get expelled so she can return to school with her friends. As Bunny’s plan takes shape, she finds that being bad doesn’t come easily to her and that there may be some things to like at her new school.

Bunny is a multifaceted, complex character, trying her best to navigate the ups and downs of life in middle school. Some readers will relate to and empathize with her struggles with anxiety and find reassurance in Bunny’s use of “box breathing” in high stress moments. Her interests in gardening and insects are woven into the story in a meaningful way and provide a natural metaphor for her growth throughout the book. A great coming of age story with an endearing, awkward heroine at the center of it all.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle school is awkward enough but try starting over without your best friend, with social anxiety, and in a body that refuses to blend in. That’s Bunny’s life!

After a truly chaotic first day, think: tripping, crashing into the cute boy, and starting a cafeteria riot, Bunny decides her new goal is to get expelled so she can transfer schools. What could go wrong, right?

Turns out, getting in trouble is easy! Figuring out what you actually want? Way harder!

This book is funny, heartfelt, and totally gets what it’s like to feel out of place. Bunny’s voice is awkwardly perfect, and her journey from trying to disappear to learning how to stand out is so relatable and sweet.

✨️Read it if you ever:
🌀 Tried to avoid the spotlight
🤣 Had an embarrassing first day
🫶 Loved books about finding your people and yourself

⚡️Thank you Barbara Carroll Roberts for sharing this book with me!

[MC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I teach kids and I know they're going to love Bunny Baxter and the way she's learning to navigate the world in this story. Separated from her old friends and at a new school, she learns a skill (playing badminton) she didn't know she had (labels are often wrong!) but also teaches her new friends about her passion: gardening, pollinators, and that bugs aren't necessarily bad. She is an anxious kid but most of her new friends are supportive and she has Ralph, her sweet dog, for the tough moments. When some nasty kids tease her about having been adopted, she opens a conversation about it with her parents and brings that issue to a satisfying conclusion. Most of Bunny's experiences will be relatable to middle school age kids who are trying to fit in with friends but also stay true to themselves.

[Tracey Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an ARC of this charming coming-of-age MG story. Bunny Baxter is 12 years old. She loves insects and plants. She's adopted. And she suffers from anxiety. So when she has to start 7th grade in a different school than her ES friends, she decides to misbehave on purpose with the goal of getting kicked out to go to "an alternative school." Only when she realizes that it's "the" alternative school does she start to figure it all out. The author understands middle school perfectly, and the relationships, dialogue and ups-and-downs of Bunny and her peers, her teachers and her parents are authentic and amusing. The novel received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly. It's well-deserved.

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Metamorphosis of Bunny Baxter is a middle grade book that is a mirror for middle grade readers, but also serves as a map book. Bunny is forced to go to another school because of redistricting. As a girl who suffers panic attacks and social anxiety, she hates leaving her best friend and a familiar environment. Bunny’s solution is to get expelled and sent back to her old school. Unfortunately, she has become the target of bullies and unintentionally gets labeled a troublemaker. When her plan to get expelled looks as though it might work, Bunny is no longer sure that she wants to return to her old school. This is a coming-of-age story about an insect loving girl who is learning to grow into herself. Themes: friendship, family, social anxiety, bullies, and school dynamics.

[Momma Leighellen’s Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adore Bunny Baxter!

When I was a young girl, I loved to climb trees and catch lighting bugs. This does not go over well in boy crazy 7th grade!

This coming of age novel follows the trials and tribulations of a young girl knicknamed "Bunny" who goes to a new school, tries new things, and learns what she's really about. It's spot on for this age bracket, light hearted, and wise as she stumbles about, makes some crummy decisions, and has to pivot.

Bunny is also adopted and struggles with anxiety, but she's got a great family helping her along the way and the book does a fabulous job of highlighting several issues of the day.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books like this really take me back to 7th grade, when friend groups were shifting and everyone was trying on different identities like outfits. When Bunny unexpectedly has to go to a new school, she has a lot to deal with, and it's delightful to see her navigate her way and struggle to recover from wrong turns. I loved the premise of a good kid trying to figure out how to be bad. (For example, she's reluctant to pull the fire alarm because she doesn't want to go TOO far and end up in jail!) The different characters have their own personalities and voices. Except for Bunny, my favorites were Silvia and Bunny's dad. I thoroughly enjoyed this book—it even improved my opinion of cicadas.

[Jame_EReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

👦🏻review: I thought I was going to read a book about an insect-enthusiast middle grader who was simply trying to get herself into the circle of friends. However after reading this, I realized that the book is more than enough to make me think about the world in general. Bunny Baxter is an amazing girl but because of circumstances that split her from her best friend, she simply wanted to change ways to get back with her best friend. This is an amazing book about Bunny facing everything that she planned to do and also what she didn’t plan to face. Very encouraging and entertaining.

[Amber Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Metamorphosis of Bunny Baxter felt like peeking into the future. Bunny’s story—her confusion, transformation, and search for self—made me reflect on the challenges my little girl may one day face. Though my daughter is only six, this book reminded me how important it is to nurture her confidence early and keep the lines of communication open. Barbara Carroll Roberts writes with warmth and insight, and while Bunny’s world is a few years ahead of ours, it left me feeling more prepared—and more connected to the journey ahead.

[Debra Shumaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Middle school can be tough. And poor Bunny Baxter is going through the wringer after being redistricted and facing her first year of middle school without her group of friends. Bunny's anxiety builds and she comes up with completely the wrong solution to her problem. Readers will fall in love with Bunny as she tries to survive and cheer her on as she muddles her way through. A perfect novel for middle schoolers everywhere.

[Aimee Lucido · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Bunny so much!!! This book is fantastic. It's funny and clever and such a great story about friendship and family and what makes something "yours." I was so invested in the characters and it's just such an all-around great read for kids

[Clara Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this with my 12-year-old was a joy. We laughed at Bunny’s mishaps and talked about her fears and her bravery. It’s rare to find a middle grade book that treats anxiety honestly but still keeps the story light enough to be fun.

[Jenn Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a heartwarming story about accepting and adjusting to the changes that come with growing up. I loved Bunny and her family. As someone who only discovered the joys of gardening as an adult, I appreciate how the story captures gardening through the eyes of a middle schooler.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this. Bunny has been redistricted to new school, slowly makes new friends, wants to start a club, and deals w bullying. #socialanxiety #butterflies
#itsoktobewhoyouare

[Katie Hutchison Irion · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was very sweet.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice story about navigating the ups and downs of all that life can throw at a middle grader.

[Charleigh Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an amazing fun read!! ❤️