"Via Hazel’s funny, self-aware voice and a fully rendered secondary cast, Horne’s debut realistically limns the seventh graders’ plight [...] alongside Hazel’s organic arc toward friendship and empowerment." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"The serious subject matter this novel covers is mediated well through Hazel’s wry narration: She is funny, smart, and well adjusted even if she hasn’t managed to make friends in middle school. The portrayal of the girls’ concerns is also remarkably realistic, from their own reactions and considerations about when to speak up or remain silent to the varied and sometimes-disappointing responses of their parents and teachers." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Horne does a wonderful job of keeping the characters true to age while dealing with the realities of online sexual harassment [...] This topical novel is a must-read for tweens and their parents; a recommended first purchase for middle school collections." — School Library Journal (starred review)
“Not only is Horne’s debut novel hilarious and queer and the book I wish I had in middle school, it also made me self-righteously angry in the best way. This is a book that will validate so many kids’ experiences and change lives. I'm so thankful for Hazel, for getting people to listen.” — Jake Maia Arlow, Stonewall Honor-winning author of Almost Flying
“Hazel Hill is gonna win hearts and minds in this funny, fiercely feminist story that challenges readers to set aside assumptions, seek out allies, and speak up against injustice when society demands silence. Empowering and immensely satisfying.” — Lisa Jenn Bigelow, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of Hazel’s Theory of Evolution and Drum Roll, Please
“Maggie Horne has crafted a story that is funny, moving, and wholly believable. Without ever feeling like a lecture, this book honestly explores the injustices young girls face—and the incredible resilience they possess. Hazel Hill is the friend I wish I had.” — Sarah Kapit author of Get A Grip, Vivy Cohen! And The Many Mysteries of the Finkel Family
"Horne's voice-driven and thoughtful debut will encourage kids who feel powerless to find their own voices [...] The themes of online bullying and unwanted attention will resonate, unfortunately, with many middle-graders, and if Hazel's brave choices can inspire more acts of bravery, all the better." — Booklist
★ 2022-07-27
A group of middle school girls take on harassment despite facing challenges.
Twelve-year-old Hazel Hill has spent seventh grade focusing on how to win the speech contest and how best to ignore Tyler Harris’ incessant talking, until the day Tyler tells her that Ella Quinn, her speech contest nemesis, has a crush on her. No one knows Hazel likes girls, and she doesn’t know what to do with this information about Ella. As it turns out, there’s more Hazel doesn’t know: Tyler has been harassing Ella online. Based on everything Tyler tells Hazel, the two girls, along with Riley Beckett, Ella’s best friend, realize that he’s probably harassed many other girls. When the three try to report Tyler, they find that the adults they approach don’t listen or don’t care. Left with no other options, the girls decide to take matters into their own hands. The serious subject matter this novel covers is mediated well through Hazel’s wry narration: She is funny, smart, and well adjusted even if she hasn’t managed to make friends in middle school. The portrayal of the girls’ concerns is also remarkably realistic, from their own reactions and considerations about when to speak up or remain silent to the varied and sometimes-disappointing responses of their parents and teachers. All main characters are assumed to be White.
Cleareyed, empowering, and hopeful while still frankly tackling sexual harassment. (notes) (Fiction. 10-13)
