Title: Olivia Gray Will Not Fade Away
Author: Ciera Burch
Genre: realistic fiction/magical realism
Age range: middle grade
Similar book: The School for Invisible Boys by Shaun David Hutchinson
Summary (provided by publisher): Seventh grade has just started, but Olivia Gray already knows this year is different. Her brother ignores her for his crush, and all her friends talk about is who likes who, something Olivia has never cared about—even when Robbie, the most popular boy in school, asks her to the fall formal. After unknowingly rejecting him, Olivia goes viral on the social app KruShh. As the chatter about Robbie and dating grows, Olivia starts to feel left out to the point of feeling invisible—literally.
Seen only by her new librarian and a friendly kid named Jules, Olivia flickers in and out of sight whenever the topic of romance comes up. As she begins to realize she might be asexual, Olivia struggles to actually use the label because of the negative perception behind it. All she wants is to be normal, but can she really fit in without disappearing completely?
What I liked: We are accustomed to books about middle grade simply focusing on fitting in. Certainly that is a strong element in this book. Olivia's behavior is largely driven by feeling like an outsider. But this isn't the only thing that makes her feel invisible. She Doesn't feel heard. And it's not just about the people that make her invisible. Even more, it's the people who make her seen, the places where she looks for answers. And the answers to her problems don't just come from others. This is very much a book about a kid needing to define herself and the struggles inherent in that.
What I didn't like: Like a lot of middle grade fiction, this book perhaps is a bit too positive. The overall message seems to be that most people will accept you if you give them a chance. And that simply isn't everyone's lived experience. Still, this book earns it's place in a conversation about gender, sexuality, and acceptance.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
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