Hello! I'm Afoma.
  • Book Reviews
    • Picture book
    • Chapter Books
    • Middle-Grade
    • Graphic Novels
    • Young Adult
    • Adult Fiction
    • Adult Non-Fiction
  • Book Lists
    • Picture Book Lists
    • Middle Grade Book Lists
    • Book Lists by Theme
    • Book Lists by Grade
    • Audiobook Recommendations
  • Join My Newsletter!
  • Go to the Blog
  • Summer Reading
  • Work with Me
    • Review & Promotion Policy
    • School Visits

Reading Middle Grade

Books for Kids and Grown Ups

  • Book Reviews
    • Picture book
    • Chapter Books
    • Middle-Grade
    • Graphic Novels
    • Young Adult
    • Adult Fiction
    • Adult Non-Fiction
  • Book Lists
    • Picture Book Lists
    • Middle Grade Book Lists
    • Book Lists by Theme
    • Book Lists by Grade
    • Audiobook Recommendations
  • Join My Newsletter!
  • Go to the Blog
  • Summer Reading
  • Work with Me
    • Review & Promotion Policy
    • School Visits

Book Reviews, Middle-Grade · June 29, 2020

Review | Five Things About Ava Andrews

Five Things About Ava Andrews

Summary: Five Things About Ava Andrews

Ava Andrews is a deeply anxious middle-grader whose best friend (and mouthpiece), Zelia has moved to a different city, leaving her quite unmoored. Ava also has a rare heart condition. In Five Things About Ava Andrews, she learns to build a social life and a voice through therapy, improv classes, her dad’s etiquette class, and activism against her neighborhood’s gentrification. She also has to work on a school project with a classmate who seems to dislike her and the fact the “gets away” with not doing some class activities.

The Good

Two things I loved about this book? The way the author handles anxiety (and therapy) and the way Ava handles her friendship with Zelia. Middle-grade books about anxiety (but not necessarily OCD) are not as common as I would like. Ava’s anxiety isn’t “obvious,” mostly because she just clams up and people assume she’s snooty. Still, her anxiety is as real as her heart’s condition. She worries more than normal about how to express her thoughts and what people think about her. And often, she overthinks the outcome of every scenario, often dreaming up the worst case scenario. As someone with a degree of anxiety, it felt good to read about Ava’s struggles and feel seen.

Ava also has major friendship issues when Zelia moves away — mostly because Zelia can’t handle that socially-anxious Ava takes her place in improv AND wins her friend’s affections too. As she works through the issues, Ava’s internal dialogue is insightful and she is compassionate, even when she’s hurting. The relationships in this book are well written — from Ava’s relationships with her brothers and her stressful interactions with her project partner. I also enjoyed reading about Ava’s Japanese grandfather and her Nana Linda.

A major portion of this book is activism as Ava and her friends try to save their neighborhood from gentrification. I liked the way the author made the concept of gentrification more accessible.

The Bad

I found the improv “demonstration” scene and the outcome a bit contrived. However, I recognize that the author wants to show kids that their voices matter. I also felt like the activism sections of this book were the least interesting and couldn’t wait to get back to reading about Ava’s challenges in class or at home!

Overall: Five Things About Ava Andrews

Five Things About Ava Andrews is a sweet and true-to-life portrayal of anxiety in middle-grade literature. With a sharp protagonist and realistic family members, this book is perfect for those who like books about siblings. Ava Andrews reminds readers that we all have different struggles and sometimes all we need to do is look beyond ourselves. If you’re looking for a therapy-positive middle-grade book about anxiety, a middle-grade book featuring improv (like Jessica Kim‘s Stand Up, Yumi Chung does with comedy) or one with activism — then you’ll love this book!


Buy This Book

Five Things About Ava Andrews

More Middle-Grade Books Like Five Things About Ava Andrews

  • Out of Place by Jennifer Blecher (Protagonist’s best friend moves away)
  • How to Make Friends With the Sea by Tanya Guerrero (Protagonist with anxiety)
  • Center of Gravity by Shaunta Grimes (Grieving protagonist with anxiety)
  • Not If I Can Help It (Side character with anxiety; Protagonist has SPD)

Have you read this book or Dilloway’s debut middle-grade book, Summer of a Thousand Pies? I think I already have it on my Kindle! I hope I can get to it very soon! What are your favorite middle-grade books about anxiety or mental illness?

Don't Forget to Share!

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pocket
  • Email
  • WhatsApp
  • LinkedIn

Related

Posted In: Book Reviews, Middle-Grade

Join My Newsletter

Like what you just read? Sign up for my Friday kidlit newsletter!

Privacy Policy

You’ll Also Love

REVIEW | DOUGH BOYS
Review | A Galaxy of Sea Stars
Review | Don’t Hate the Player

Comments

  1. rosihollinbeck says

    June 29, 2020 at 3:27 pm

    I haven’t read any other MG books that discuss anxiety. This sounds like a great book. I will check it out. Thanks for your review.

    Reply
    • Afoma Umesi says

      July 4, 2020 at 1:30 pm

      My pleasure, Rosi. I think you’ll love this one 🙂

      Reply
  2. lulucatherine says

    June 30, 2020 at 12:45 pm

    Thank you for such a thoughtful review, and for the recommendations at then end! I enjoyed Summer of A Thousand Pies, so I’ll definitely pick this one up. How to Make Friends With the Sea sounds great as well!

    Reply
    • Afoma Umesi says

      July 4, 2020 at 1:29 pm

      Hi Lulu! Thank you for reading, I sure hope you enjoy this one! Definitely reading Summer of a Thousand Pies next!!

      Reply
  3. Amanda says

    July 8, 2020 at 7:08 am

    Hello! Thanks for the review! I think this book sounds great. My daughter is 6 and I was wondering if you think it would be age appropriate for her?

    Reply
    • Afoma Umesi says

      July 8, 2020 at 8:53 am

      Hi Amanda! Thank you for reading. I think 6 may be too young, but I don’t know — how good a reader is she? Perhaps these early reader chapter books would be better? https://readingmiddlegrade.com/chapter-books/

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        July 8, 2020 at 8:56 am

        It is actually available on audiobook, and she is obsessed with listening to books! So more wondering about the content appropriateness (violence/bullying, swearing, excessive romantic storylines). She suffers from anxiety, so I think this could be particularly relatable for her. Thanks so much for responding!

        Reply
        • Afoma Umesi says

          July 8, 2020 at 9:02 am

          Ah, yes, I listened to the audiobook as well. There’s no violence or romantic storyline and certainly no swearing. Ava’s brother is a bit harsh in the beginning, but he changes as he comes to understand her anxiety. I believe it should be age-appropriate!

          Reply
          • Amanda says

            July 8, 2020 at 9:18 am

            Thank you so much! I really appreciate your time!

What do you think? Leave a comment Cancel reply

Next Post >

Author Claire Swinarski on What Happens Next, Chasing Dreams, and Sisterhood

About Me
Hi, I'm Afoma! Thank you for stopping by. Learn more about me here.

a group for kid lit lovers

reading middle grade facebook group

Get 2 Months Free on Scribd

Follow on Bloglovin’

Follow

We’re Social Too!

  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Stock photos courtesy of our partners at DepositPhotos 📸

Find me on Instagram

whatafomareads

📚 Sharing the best middle grade (and adult) book recommendations
💌 [email protected] for book publicity (No DMs, please)

Afoma
If you love layered middle grade books that still If you love layered middle grade books that still manage to be fun and relatable and accessible to tweens, don’t miss this fall release! Sometimes I thought I was reading a book for adults! Especially with the tough issues Bishop explores during the Dad chapters, which are told in 3rd person (unlike the girls who narrate in first person)!

#sportsbooks #middlegradebooks #mglit
✨lifetime favorite✨ I’m not a big re-reader ✨lifetime favorite✨

I’m not a big re-reader but if I had to re-read favorite middle grade titles, this would be at the top of my list! Clea is a highly motivated middle schooler who’s finding it harder and harder to keep up with school work. Her thoughts keep jumping around and the only time she can really focus is when she’s playing chess. Soon, she’s diagnosed with ADHD and has to find ways to work with the way her brain functions.

I love the way this book deflates stereotypes about the condition and shows just how much effort people with ADHD have to exert to function in a neurotypical world. With an unforgettable voice and strong themes of friendship, family, and crossing over from childhood to teenage years, Focused is a memorable read. 

I would strongly recommend this one for anyone curious about ADHD, chess lovers, and anyone who’s ever squabbled with a best friend.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

#adhd #bookstagram #mglit
✨how ‘bout a little virtual reality?✨

☀️ Addie has reluctantly moved across the country with her dad for his summer job in the virtual reality industry. He's working on research to use VR for therapeutic purposes, such as helping people cultivate empathy. Addie is not into VR, but that starts to change when she meets Matteo another kid on campus, and tries out VR on her own. Eventually, the two find a helpful use for VR that helps other people.

🥽 I loved the illustration style in this one and while I found the VR setting a bit disorienting, I appreciated the unique lens of the story. The graphic novel format works brilliantly for helping readers appreciate the power of VR. I think with text, it would have just been too much “world-building.” This is more engaging and exciting for kids.

🐢 Lo and Behold is a clever middle grade graphic novel about virtual reality, grief, and parental addiction. Readers who enjoy VR will love this one, but as the Author's Note mentions, it will also be a fantastic introduction for those who, like me, aren't familiar with it. A fun summer read with hints of serious themes.

#mglit #middlegrade #bookstagram
✨surprisingly heartwarming middle grade✨ 🗺 ✨surprisingly heartwarming middle grade✨

🗺️ Ginny’s summer is thrown off when her dad gets a surprise redeployment in the middle of their family’s moving to another city. Then, her geography camp gets canceled. Her sister seems to be making new friends, but no one appears to like Ginny–even when she starts her own geography camp. 

❤️ I loved this book way more than I thought I would (from the synopsis). Ginny has such a great voice and she isn’t always the most likable character but she’s always real. I loved watching her grow throughout the story.

📍This sweet, unique young middle grade book made my heart grow and ache for Ginny and her family as they navigated a season of change. Features illustrations and a new geography fact in each chapter.

#amreading #mglit #middlegrade
My current adult reads! HAPPY TRAVELER is a non- My current adult reads! 

HAPPY TRAVELER is a non-fiction title about making travel work for you and creating enjoyable, memorable experiences. So far, I’m enjoying the author’s musings on travel.

HELLO BEAUTIFUL is a bookstagram darling (need I say more?) and I already know I’ll be reading it for a while. It’s one of those books that really forces you to slow down. The writing is so tender; it feels like the author loves her characters ❤️

#bookstagram #amreading #readersofinstagram
✨growing up is full of bumps on the way✨ 🤓 ✨growing up is full of bumps on the way✨

🤓 Sixth grade is off to a rocky start for Rex. His district moved most of his elementary school to another middle school, his best friend ditches him for the popular crew, and his blurry vision means he has to get clunky new glasses–the only kind his family can afford. 

❤️ This sweet graphic novel for fans of Telgemeier is an ode to middle school, family, and finding your people.

#graphicnovel #middleschoolbooks #kidlit
Do you like to hop on the “buzz train”? I find Do you like to hop on the “buzz train”? I find that buzzy books are often worth the hype. Even the few people who dislike them tend to have STRONG feelings about them 👀 which to me is a sign that the story got to you somehow. Of course, not every book is for every reader — hype or not. I share my tip for finding a hyped book that matches your reading tastes.

Which hyped books did you love? And which ones missed the mark for you?

#reader #bookstagram #unpopularopinions
✨a different kind of sunshine✨ I loved this g ✨a different kind of sunshine✨

I loved this graphic memoir about the author’s time as a counselor at a camp for kids with cancer. It was my first time reading anything by this author and I totally get the appeal.

This one didn’t end up being as sad as I thought it would be but it was very moving, especially because Krosoczka shares newspaper clippings and pictures of one the families with whom he forged a particularly close relationship even until his college years.

If you’re looking for an engaging graphic memoir for older kids ages 11+ this is a great choice.

#graphicnovel #kidlit #yareader
Load More Follow on Instagram
  • Blog
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 Reading Middle Grade · Theme by 17th Avenue

 

Loading Comments...