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The Girl in the Middle: Choosing to Live Out Your Faith in the Everyday
Embrace the ultimate challenge of faith by surrendering fear and complacency to live a life compelled by the love of Christ.
“The Girl in the Middle will compel you toward Christ and give you the confidence to choose Truth whenever you’re stuck in the middle of faith and fear.”—Jordan Lee Dooley, bestselling author of Own Your Everyday
Imagine standing at a crossroads, where you must choose between boldly living out your faith or staying in your comfort zone. These pivotal instances—middle moments—define your spiritual journey.
Emma Mae McDaniel learned firsthand about middle moments in high school when one cruel social media post led to years of online torment, forcing her to decide whether to conform to others’ expectations or to embrace her God-given identity.
In The Girl in the Middle, McDaniel uses her journey to show you how to grow in faith and find strength in the face of your own adversity. Learn
• live with unwavering confidence in Christ, whether you face criticism or praise
• identify moments when you choose comfort over following Jesus
• make faith the joyful cornerstone of your everyday life
This testament to the power of living courageously for God amid hardship, disapproval, and the unknown will inspire you to actively live out your faith, letting God have the final say.
“The Girl in the Middle will compel you toward Christ and give you the confidence to choose Truth whenever you’re stuck in the middle of faith and fear.”—Jordan Lee Dooley, bestselling author of Own Your Everyday
Imagine standing at a crossroads, where you must choose between boldly living out your faith or staying in your comfort zone. These pivotal instances—middle moments—define your spiritual journey.
Emma Mae McDaniel learned firsthand about middle moments in high school when one cruel social media post led to years of online torment, forcing her to decide whether to conform to others’ expectations or to embrace her God-given identity.
In The Girl in the Middle, McDaniel uses her journey to show you how to grow in faith and find strength in the face of your own adversity. Learn
• live with unwavering confidence in Christ, whether you face criticism or praise
• identify moments when you choose comfort over following Jesus
• make faith the joyful cornerstone of your everyday life
This testament to the power of living courageously for God amid hardship, disapproval, and the unknown will inspire you to actively live out your faith, letting God have the final say.
Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2025
34 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 30, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
Every person who is religious will simply enjoy this book. The author writes about her relationship with religion and how it helped her through life, which I liked about this book. I also liked how she balances faith with everyday life. Her feelings are transparent and it is easy to identify yourself with them to feel what the author feels.
I give this book 4 stars (mainly because of the formatting of the book).
Every person who is religious will simply enjoy this book. The author writes about her relationship with religion and how it helped her through life, which I liked about this book. I also liked how she balances faith with everyday life. Her feelings are transparent and it is easy to identify yourself with them to feel what the author feels.
I give this book 4 stars (mainly because of the formatting of the book).
August 31, 2025
I’m thankful to have been a winner of this book on Goodreads Giveaways. Reading it reminded me of where my focus needs to be and gave wonderful examples of true faith in God. I plan to donate this to my church for others to enjoy.
September 14, 2025
I was so encouraged by this book. Emma Mae speaks life and truth in a simple and profound way that I am sure will stick in my mind and heart for a very long time. She challenges, she reminds, she dreams for more, and maybe most beautifully, she quotes so much scripture. This is a book I will be gifting and recommending and rereading. It is a true joy to get to support a message like this one!
June 9, 2025
*thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book!*
When I requested this ARC I went into in with no background knowledge of who Emma Mae is, or her presence on the internet, I just knew her book had an interesting title and premise. But Emma Mae is someone I will say naturally emulates the light of the Lord in all that she does and her writing is no exception. Her introduction to who she was and her experience with cyberbullying instantly had me hooked, and it’s in these moments (middle moments) that we must chose to actively continue on with God, or do we let others define our faith for us if we shy away and don’t step up to what God has called us to? These “middle moments” and their existence are the thesis Emma Mae McDaniel presents us, the readers with.
As we continue on we learn about the author’s middle moment (had me in tears) and the stories from other missionaries / pioneers who had to go against the status quo to bring the most glory to God. I could spend only 5 minutes reading this book and walk away with encouragement or I spent an hour sitting in my chair completly enamored with the biblical truths this young woman speaks! My kindle copy is highlighted so much and gave me so many jounral entires along the way I might need to get an actual physical copy so I can physically hold onto the truths. If you’re looking for a book to share with a young adult about faith and Jesus, this would be a good one. Although I am 29 years-old myself I really felt Emma Mae McDaniel connected with me in a personal way and it wasn’t patronizing or forced. This can easily be a discussion book at a book club or with a youth group bible study.
As I turned the last page I was completly content in this book. I got built up with scriptural and biblical truths, I learned some new information about history of missionaries, and it felt like a conversation had ended with a good friend. This definetly spoke to me where I currently am and I have some perspective shifts to make in my life thanks to Emma Mae. I look forward to seeing more from Emma Mae McDaniel in the future!
As for layout of the book I really found it easy to pick up just about anywhere and read a few pages. All 15 chapters have sections within the sections that’s build up to the overall takeaway from each section. I felt secure as a woman of faith because each time there was a claim or statement of fact or a promise of God addressed the appropriate scripture was referenced even if not quoted, but she made sure we knew where the ultimate wisdom came from 🤍.
I highly recommend!!! But prospective readers need to due their due diligence and remember this is a Christian book!
When I requested this ARC I went into in with no background knowledge of who Emma Mae is, or her presence on the internet, I just knew her book had an interesting title and premise. But Emma Mae is someone I will say naturally emulates the light of the Lord in all that she does and her writing is no exception. Her introduction to who she was and her experience with cyberbullying instantly had me hooked, and it’s in these moments (middle moments) that we must chose to actively continue on with God, or do we let others define our faith for us if we shy away and don’t step up to what God has called us to? These “middle moments” and their existence are the thesis Emma Mae McDaniel presents us, the readers with.
As we continue on we learn about the author’s middle moment (had me in tears) and the stories from other missionaries / pioneers who had to go against the status quo to bring the most glory to God. I could spend only 5 minutes reading this book and walk away with encouragement or I spent an hour sitting in my chair completly enamored with the biblical truths this young woman speaks! My kindle copy is highlighted so much and gave me so many jounral entires along the way I might need to get an actual physical copy so I can physically hold onto the truths. If you’re looking for a book to share with a young adult about faith and Jesus, this would be a good one. Although I am 29 years-old myself I really felt Emma Mae McDaniel connected with me in a personal way and it wasn’t patronizing or forced. This can easily be a discussion book at a book club or with a youth group bible study.
As I turned the last page I was completly content in this book. I got built up with scriptural and biblical truths, I learned some new information about history of missionaries, and it felt like a conversation had ended with a good friend. This definetly spoke to me where I currently am and I have some perspective shifts to make in my life thanks to Emma Mae. I look forward to seeing more from Emma Mae McDaniel in the future!
As for layout of the book I really found it easy to pick up just about anywhere and read a few pages. All 15 chapters have sections within the sections that’s build up to the overall takeaway from each section. I felt secure as a woman of faith because each time there was a claim or statement of fact or a promise of God addressed the appropriate scripture was referenced even if not quoted, but she made sure we knew where the ultimate wisdom came from 🤍.
I highly recommend!!! But prospective readers need to due their due diligence and remember this is a Christian book!
October 4, 2025
This book took me some time to get through. I think the pace was just a little slow. But it was a great book that detailed how to make the most of your middle moments. These are the times in your life that life is slow, mundane, or even down right HARD! Needless to say, it’s not the moments you picture when you imagine joyfully living for Christ. I enjoyed all the unique stories of different people that Emma told, including herself! Overall pretty great read to encourage your walk of faith!
I received an advanced readers copy of this book from NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.
I received an advanced readers copy of this book from NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.
September 28, 2025
In depth review coming soon…👀
October 3, 2025
My favorite read this year!
January 13, 2026
This book has challenged me to choose God throughout all the middle moments in my life. Love how the author connects Bible verses to all of her points. Highly recommend.
March 5, 2026
A Girl in the Middle is a memoir written by Emma Mae McDaniel about her life growing up as a biracial girl. In the book, she explains how she often felt like she didn’t fully belong in either the Black or white community. This made her feel confused about her identity and where she fit in.
Throughout the story, Emma Mae shares the challenges she faced at school and in friendships. She talks honestly about feeling insecure and different from others. However, she learns to overcome these struggles through her Christian faith and by accepting herself for who she is.
I liked this book because it is very honest and inspiring. It shows that many people struggle with identity and confidence, especially when they feel different from others. Emma Mae’s story encourages readers to be proud of who they are.
Overall, A Girl in the Middle is an inspiring book that teaches an important message about self-acceptance and believing in yourself. I would recommend it to teenagers and pre-teens who enjoy true stories about personal challenges and growth.
Throughout the story, Emma Mae shares the challenges she faced at school and in friendships. She talks honestly about feeling insecure and different from others. However, she learns to overcome these struggles through her Christian faith and by accepting herself for who she is.
I liked this book because it is very honest and inspiring. It shows that many people struggle with identity and confidence, especially when they feel different from others. Emma Mae’s story encourages readers to be proud of who they are.
Overall, A Girl in the Middle is an inspiring book that teaches an important message about self-acceptance and believing in yourself. I would recommend it to teenagers and pre-teens who enjoy true stories about personal challenges and growth.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews