It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (12/14/15)

I was so excited to spend a little time reading middle grade fiction this weekend!  I’ve been so focused on nonfiction reading for the CYBILS and it was such a nice break for me to read something different.
This book is heartbreaking and real and funny and so many feelings.  Kammie wants so badly to be part of the cool girls group, but when she falls in a well, so deep that she can’t get out she begins remembering the highs and lows of her past and realizes what really is important.
This story is about friendship, bullying, family and Karen Rivers truly gave Kammie a believable voice for a young girl given the chance to start a new life for herself in a new town with new friends.  Not only is Kammie’s voice realistic, the entire story has beautiful, vivid descriptions throughout and is a book I can’t wait to share with a group of middle school  students in a book discussion.  The story doesn’t veer away from some tough issues, but is written in such a way that makes these ideas accessible for kids to think about and talk about.
Twitter Description: When Kammie moves to a new town and strives to become a part of the cool girls club, it lands her at the bottom of well, stuck tight.  As she waits for help, her story flashes to her past as Kammie remembers both the highs and lows that brought them to this new town.  With a realistic voice and a storyline that isn’t afraid of the tough issues of growing up, The Girl in the Well is both heart-wrenching and hysterical.
Title: The Girl in the Well is Me
Author: Karen Rivers
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Publication Date: March 15, 2016
Page Number: 224 pgs.