My Year in the Middle

by Lila Quintero Weaver, Lila Quintero Weaver (Illustrator)

Overview

In a racially polarized classroom in 1970 Alabama, Lu’s talent for running track makes her a new best friend — and tests her mettle as she navigates the school’s social cliques.

Miss Garrett’s classroom is like every other at our school. White kids sit on one side and black kids on the other. I'm one of the few middle-rowers who split the difference.

Sixth-grader Lu Olivera just wants to keep her head down and get along with everyone in her class. Trouble is, Lu’s old friends have been changing lately — acting boy crazy and making snide remarks about Lu’s newfound talent for running track. Lu’s secret hope for a new friend is fellow runner Belinda Gresham, but in 1970 Red Grove, Alabama, blacks and whites don’t mix. As segregationist ex-governor George Wallace ramps up his campaign against the current governor, Albert Brewer, growing tensions in the state — and in the classroom — mean that Lu can’t stay neutral about the racial divide at school. Will she find the gumption to stand up for what’s right and to choose friends who do the same?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763699833
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	07/10/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
Lexile:	720L (what's this?)
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Lila Quintero Weaver was born in Argentina but grew up in Alabama, where she still lives with her husband. She is the author-illustrator of Darkroom, a graphic memoir. My Year in the Middle is her first book for young readers.

I’m a certifiable nerd. It seems I can never get enough of maps, dictionaries, birds, or moss-covered rocks. At various times in my childhood, I wanted to be an archaeologist, a biologist, or a psychoanalyst—not that I always understood what people in those professions do. But those early ambitions faded away and I ended up becoming an artist and a writer. In fact, when I was kid I spent a lot of my free time reading and drawing. My sister and I created an entire town of imaginary characters. We drew their faces on ruled paper and made up stories about their lives, as dramatic as any on a soap opera. This was probably pretty good training for writing books.

Writing a novel is hard work that involves lots of wadded-up paper and many clicks of the delete key. But it’s also fun. You get to create characters and come up with interesting twists and turns to put them through. Sometimes writers recycle pieces of their lives to use in a story. I sure did. Lu, my main character, is from Argentina. So am I. After my family immigrated to the U.S., I spent my growing-up years in Alabama, which is why you’ll find plenty of Southern twang in my novel, as well as some South American flair. After Lu’s school desegregates, she goes through some rough and tough challenges involving racism. This happened to me, too. But almost everything else in Lu’s story was invented. For example, she’s a talented runner with winning potential. Not true of me!

Three things you didn’t know about me
Something goofy: Can you draw curves or faces on an Etch A Sketch? I can. You should try it!

Something magical: A few years ago, while I was vacationing at the beach, a tiny shorebird stood in the palm of my hand to nibble on some crushed corn chips. I’ll never forget the feeling of its tender feet pressing against my palm. Luckily, I have a video of that moment and can relive it whenever I want.

Something wild: When I was in fourth or fifth grade, a snake expert came to visit my school. That’s how I got the chance to hold a king snake. I won’t lie—it was a bit weird, because the snake wiggled a lot and its skin was as rough as pebbles. Still, it was a super-cool experience and I’d happily do it again. See? I told you I was a nerd!

Editorial Reviews

Based on true events in Lila Quintero Weaver's own 1970s childhood as an Argentinian immigrant in a small Alabama town, My Year in the Middle is a moving story about finding one's center in the midst of overwhelming external pressure. Lu is believable as a girl who is afraid to "stick [her] neck out too far."...Any reader who has struggled to find a safe and happy place between polarities will appreciate Weaver's deep understanding of just how difficult—and rewarding—this can be.
—Shelf Awareness for Readers (starred review)

It's not always easy standing up for what is right, but sometimes, you just can't stay in the middle...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.
—Kirkus Reviews

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...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.
—Booklist

Readers will root for this spirited protagonist to find her moral footing in this solid, enjoyable work of historical fiction.
—Publishers Weekly

Based on true events in Lila Quintero Weaver's own 1970s childhood as an Argentinian immigrant in a small Alabama town, My Year in the Middle is a moving story about finding one's center in the midst of overwhelming external pressure...Any reader who has struggled to find a safe and happy place between polarities will appreciate Weaver's deep understanding of just how difficult—and rewarding—this can be.
—Shelf Awareness Pro

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...A well-drawn depiction of an immigrant experience with a social justice lens. A solid addition for public and school libraries.
—School Library Journal

Inspired by the author’s childhood, this work of historical fiction offers an insider voice and unique perspective on the era, reminding readers that race relations remained contentious long after the 1964 Civil Rights Act...This is a worthy choice for recreational reading and informing students about the civil rights era.
—School Library Connection

“My Year in the Middle is both powerful and sensitive, offering a unique view of important historical events through the eyes of an immigrant girl who longs for social justice, friendship, and romance.”
—Margarita Engle, Young People’s Poet Laureate and Newbery Honor–winning author of The Surrender Tree

“Wonderful! A heart-touching story with a spunky heroine who shows her grit and determination during troubling times. I was cheering for Lu from beginning to end!”
—Christina Diaz Gonzalez, award-winning author of The Red Umbrella and the Moving Target series

“A timely and powerful story, My Year in the Middle conjures an era of American racism and shows how a strong immigrant girl can make a difference in her community. This is a book that will resonate for young readers in these fraught times.”
—Ruth Behar, Pura Belpré Award–winning author of Lucky Broken Girl

From the Publisher

2018-05-14
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)

Kirkus Reviews