Just Maria

by Jay Hardwig

Just Maria is the story of Maria Romero, a blind sixth-grader who is trying her hardest to be normal. Not amazing. Not inspiring. Not helpless. Not weird. Just normal. Normal is hard enough with her white cane, glass eyes, and bumpy books, but Maria’s task is complicated by her neighbor and classmate JJ Munson, an asthmatic overweight oddball known in the halls of Marble City Middle as a double-dork paste-eater. When JJ draws Maria into his latest hare-brained scheme—a series of public challenges to prove their worth as gumshoes for his Twinnoggin Detective Agency—she fears she’s lost her last chance to go unnoticed. When a young girl goes missing on the streets of Marble City, Maria’s new-found confidence is tested in ways she never anticipated. Use your cane and your brain, and figure it out . . . Aimed at middle-grade readers, Just Maria explores difference and disability without resorting to the saccharine and engages universal themes about the price of popularity and the meaning of independence.

Genres: Friendship

140 pages, Paperback

Published January 7, 2022

About the author

JAY HARDWIG is a certified teacher for the visually impaired who has worked with children with blindness and low vision for more than twenty years. He has taught at public schools throughout Texas and North Carolina, adding a Master’s degree in Special Education and certification as an Orientation & Mobility instructor in 2011. His writing credits include scores of essays, features, and short fiction published in periodicals ranging from The Austin Chronicle to Blue Ridge Outdoors to Bridal Guide. He currently works for Buncombe County Schools and IFB Solutions, where he directs summer camps for children with vision loss. When not taking blind kids ziplining, he reads, writes, and plays barrelhouse piano with his friends and family in Asheville, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Lisa-Gaye Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maria is a witty and brave young woman, and her story will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended for young readers and adults alike!

[Shirley Vernick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The irrepressible Maria and her friend JJ sparkle on the pages of Hardwig's funny, profound, emotionally rich novel. Maria may be blind, but she's so much more than her blindness. She's a three-dimensional person with aspirations, frustrations, friendship challenges, and a yearning for greater independence. In other words, she's a regular sixth-grader. I laughed and cried as JJ's "tests" spotlighted Maria's bravery, intelligence, resolve and heart. Especially her heart, which guides her to embrace her friendship with an outcast, despite what her peers might think. I highly recommend Just Maria!

[Priya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an adorable MG read about 12 yo Maria Romero who is blind and trying to navigate her life independently.

Maria herself narrates the story and she's really cute if a bit precocious for her age as she lists all the issues she sees with being blind, including the way other people look at her and treat her. Her mother is very supportive but also unable to let go as she's understandably scared. This cramps Maria's style and her need to be seen as someone other than a blind girl. Only her neighbour and classmate JJ Munson treats her just like he would anyone else. He's a bit eccentric himself and wants Maria to form a detective agency with him. Though she initially balks at the idea and the thought of spending time with JJ who is bad for her image at school, Maria is slowly drawn into his orbit and the challenges he suggests they give each other.

I thought the challenges Maria faced and her efforts to overcome not being able to see with her other senses and her innate intelligence and logic was very well depicted. Maria is funny and fiercely against anyone showing her pity or sympathy. JJ is considered weird too in school but unlike Maria, he doesn't seem to care what others think or say about him. The way their friendship develops in spite of Maria's reluctance is sweet.

I loved the ending in particular. A very uplifting read that presents the heavy theme of handling a disability in an age appropriate way.

[Ashley Holstrom]

“In Jay Hardwig’s sweet novel Just Maria, a blind twelve-year-old girl wants to be known for what she does, not by the fact of her disability.”

Reviewed for Foreword Reviews.

[Ginget Poulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely delightful!! Maria is witty and funny making me laugh like Colin Jost. The relationships between Maria, JJ, Cynthia, the parents, etc is all just so spot on. It’s one of those times as an adult reading a book with your kids where I was so grateful to have the opportunity to read YA. I loved living in Maria’s world and felt like I just made a friend who taught me what it’s like to be blind and what it means to have courage and be a friend.

PS my kids want a sequel!!

[Danica Tutor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming

[Vince Floriani jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story from a new perspective. Parts reminded me of the writing of James Dickey….the protagonist trying to navigate a busy street.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

libro scritto proprio dal punto di vista dei non vedenti

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Netgalley or Edelweiss Plus

[Becca Kape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible! Read with a student and it was instantly his favorite book with the most relatable characters!