My Year in the Middle

May 21, 2018
Set in 1970 in the fictional town of Red Grove, Ala., this debut for young readers by Weaver (Darkroom) follows a sixth-grade class during the first year of integrated public schools through the bubbly voice of Argentinian immigrant Lu Olivera, who sits in the middle row, between the black and white students. Election year campaigning provides the backdrop: Governor Brewer, who favored school integration, is fighting for his seat against segregationist ex-governor George Wallace. After Lu discovers that she shares a talent for running with Belinda, a black classmate, their friendship grows, but Lu’s former friends become distant and mean. Politics infiltrate the classroom as some parents prepare to send their kids to private school, and Lu’s attempts to remain apolitical backfire, particularly with the cute boy she likes. As tensions build, Lu longs for the courage to “really speak up, like somebody with surefire gumption and the good sense to stand up for her friends.” Readers will root for this spirited protagonist to find her moral footing in this solid, enjoyable work of historical fiction. Ages 8–12.

June 1, 2018
It is spring 1970 in Alabama, and in spite of the racial tensions that come along with integration and the upcoming race for governor, sixth-grader Lu Olivera can't stop thinking about running--or more importantly, the discovery that she can run.It's hotter than Hades the day Lu first runs in preparation for Field Day. She flies "like the blue blazes" and barely squeaks past classmate Belinda at the finish line for the win. As they mill about catching their breath and each other's eyes, Belinda gives a nod of respect. Lu nods back, but not without a bit of trepidation upon reminding herself that "around here, black and white kids don't mix. No siree bob." You see, being from Argentina, Lu is one of the "middle" kids in the class. White kids sit on one side of the room, black kids, including Belinda, on the other, and those that are left occupy no man's land. Readers will follow Lu through the spring of her sixth-grade year as she discovers not just the extent of her running ability, but how much gumption one tiny immigrant girl can have. It's not always easy standing up for what is right, but sometimes, you just can't stay in the middle. While Red Grove, Alabama, is a fictional town, the story is inspired by the author's very real experiences growing up in Alabama. Young readers will relate to Lu as she navigates friendships, first love, and politics, cheering her on to the finish line. An important and relevant story that will make kids stop and take a look at the world around them. (Historical fiction. 9-13)

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July 1, 2018

Gr 4-6-Sixth grader Lu Olivera is born to run, but worries that her parents, immigrants from Argentina, will not allow her to pursue sports. Undeterred, she starts to pal up with talented African American runner Belinda. Lu's world starts to shift away from old friends like Phyllis and Abigail, whose eyes are firmly planted on teen fashion magazines portraying mostly blue-eyed and blonde girls and whose families are against racial integration. Instead, the tween is drawn to the more socially conscious world of her older sister Marina and her crush Sam, who are both working on the campaign to defeat George Wallace's 1970 reelection. Her awareness of the racism against brown and black people and the personal and political efforts to fight it start to garner more of her attention and spur her to action. Young first-generation immigrants will see themselves reflected in Lu when she translates for a Cuban neighbor, and again when she finds herself "in the middle" and must either stand with her friends Belinda and Spider or side against them with her silence. Colloquial language and pop references abound, with detailed pencil illustrations at the onset of each chapter. VERDICT A well-drawn depiction of an immigrant experience with a social justice lens. A solid addition for public and school libraries.-Sara Lissa Paulson, City-As-School High School, New York City

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2018
Grades 4-7 Readers will be immediately transported to early 1970s Alabama in this story about Lu Olivera, a sixth-grader who finds herself drawn ever more deeply into the civil rights movement and politics at her school. Argentinian Lu doesn't fall neatly into the category of white or black, so she manages to more or less stay out of politics; but the more things heat up with local elections, and with Lu's budding friendship with Belinda, who is not white, she finds she can't stand idly by. This lovely coming-of-age story is complete with crushes, discovery of a passion, and a whole lot of '70s American style and slang, as well as terms like higgledy-piggledy, which might be unfamiliar to young readers but is understandable in context. This story is inspired by the author's experiences, and it shows in introspective Lu's observations of people around her. An excellent read for any budding activist or history buff, as well as pretty much any kid who likes a story about kids finding their gumption.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2019
In 1970 Alabama, Argentinean American sixth-grader Lu Olivera discovers her passion for running, develops a crush, and is caught in the middle of her desegregated school's growing racial tensions. After Lu becomes friends with African American Belinda, and the segregationist George Wallace becomes governor, Lu stands up for what's right. Lu's shift from bystander to ally is well portrayed, and her first-person narration is often funny and utterly engaging.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)