Realistic Fiction, Softball, Friendship, Family, Alcoholism
Description
After Mom’s alcoholism has created anger within the family and a problem at work, she leaves to spend eight weeks in rehab. Dad takes a second job and has little time for Veronica. Just when she’s worked up the courage to tell Claudia, her best friend, about the situation, Claudia preempts her with the news of her parents’ divorce. Reluctant to add to her friend’s distress, Veronica doesn’t tell her, but when Claudia discovers the secret, she feels hurt that Veronica didn’t confide in her. A heart-to-heart talk sets their friendship back on course, but it will be a long time before Veronica feels that her family is right again. Still, a support group offers a gleam of hope. Petro-Roy, whose Good Enough (2019) portrays a 12-year-old at a treatment center for anorexia, writes with clarity and avoids suggesting that alcoholism is easy to manage or to live with. Given that Veronica’s a sixth-grader whose family is in distress, it seems natural that friendship lies at the heart of this very readable story.
My Comments
The plot has suspense involving making the team, friendship, family secrets, and what's happening with Veronica's mother. The story is accessible and age appropriate. This is a great realistic fiction choice for all middle schoolers.
