2019 The Washington Post Best Children's Book of the Year (Erin Entrada
Kelly Pick) A 2020 ALA Notable Children's Book "The novel's
all-too-familiar scenario offers a springboard for discussion among
middle schoolers...Easily grasped scenarios and short chapters help make
this timely #MeToo story accessible to a wide audience." --Publishers
Weekly (starred review) "Realistic and heartbreaking." --BCCB Barbara
Dee explores the subject of #MeToo for the middle grade audience in
this heart-wrenching--and ultimately uplifting--novel about experiencing
harassment and unwanted attention from classmates.For seventh-grader
Mila, it starts with some boys giving her an unwanted hug on the school
blacktop. A few days later, at recess, one of the boys (and fellow
trumpet player) Callum tells Mila it's his birthday, and asks her for a
"birthday hug." He's just being friendly, isn't he? And how can she say
no? But Callum's hug lasts a few seconds too long, and feels...weird.
According to her friend, Zara, Mila is being immature and overreacting.
Doesn't she know what flirting looks like? But the boys don't leave Mila
alone. On the bus. In the halls. During band practice--the one place
Mila could always escape. It doesn't feel like flirting--so what is it?
Thanks to a chance meeting, Mila begins to find solace in a new place:
karate class. Slowly, with the help of a fellow classmate, Mila learns
how to stand her ground and how to respect others--and herself. From the
author of Everything I Know About You, Halfway Normal, and Star-Crossed
comes this timely story of a middle school girl standing up and finding
her voice.
