Title: Just Ask Elsie
Author: Ari Koontz
Genre: realistic fiction
Age range: middle grade
Similar book: Margie Kelly Breaks the Dress Code by Bridget Farr
Summary (provided by publisher): Fractions and conjunctions—check.
Stressing about middle school—check.
Body-positive puberty class at church that also covers feelings and identities—check.
Okay, maybe that last one isn’t so normal. It’s a little weird (and awkward) to spend her Sundays talking periods, B.O., and pimples. But Elsie’s also learning a lot more than she’s heard in her public-school health class — like the difference between sex and gender, and what consent is, and what it might mean that she can’t stop blushing around a certain cute girl at her school.
When her puberty lessons become the school’s latest gossip, Elsie’s totally humiliated… until she finds an anonymous note in her locker from a classmate who wants to know more, and realizes that other kids might have embarrassing questions of their own.
Starting an underground advice board wasn’t exactly in her plans, but Elsie won’t pass up a chance to turn her reputation around — or to share words and labels that have not-so-accidentally been left off their curriculum. But when the principal tries to shut down the unauthorized puberty talk, Elsie has to decide what she’s willing to risk to tell the truth to kids who really need to hear it.
What I liked: The characters are realistic and age appropriate. These are clearly children. Their understanding of the world is simple and blunt and part of the plot involves beginning to understand nuance. As such, the solutions here aren't straightforward and easy. This is more about starting a journey than revolutionary change. The conversation around puberty is straight-forward and age appropriate.
What I didn't like: There are some uncomfortable moments but nothing to the point of becoming unreadable. Mostly this is a solid read.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
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