My Year in the Middle

Reviewed by: Kerrie Lattari - York Middle School, York, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date:

Review

Lu Olivera is a 6th grader growing up in Alabama in 1970. Racial tensions abound in her community and her school which, though integrated, still has a stark division between black and white. Lu, whose parents are Argentinian immigrants, floats in between these two groups and she develops a friendship with a black girl named Belinda after they bond over their talent for running. The state race for Governor, with former Governor George Wallace running on a segregationist platform, creates even more unrest in Red Grove and Lu must decide if she should remain neutral or if she can muster the courage to stand up for what's right. Finding your voice, being true to yourself, and taking a stand will resonate with readers in this take on post-civil rights issues.

Overall Book Score: very good