★ 02/22/2021
When their single mother is arrested for drunk driving in their small New England town and sent to rehab, 13-year-old Eli Reynolds’s sister Anna, 17, passes herself off as the siblings’ estranged aunt so they can remain together. Anna struggles to make rent, while Eli hides the truth from her friends and pines for her best friend Meena, who is Indian American. As the duo’s lie begins to unravel and their relationship strains, they’re forced to come to terms with their mother’s alcohol dependence, their complicated family history, and—most importantly—each other. Told in third person through the perspective of Eli, who identifies as “not quite a girl,” Moon’s (Sparrow) sophomore novel handles sensitive topics with care: it clearly conveys that the teens’ mother’s alcoholism is a disease, not a moral failing, without minimizing her children’s experiences, including Eli’s patience and Anna’s anger. Its representation of siblinghood is equally nuanced, portraying a bond that rings true (in one memorable passage, Eli reflects on sometimes seeing “all the Annas” she’s known at once). Though the story’s emotional elements can outshine its occasionally meandering plot, this journey is a rewarding one. Ages 8–12. Agent: Molly Ker Hawn, the Bent Agency. (Apr.)
[STAR] “This journey is a rewarding one.” -Publishers Weekly (starred),
“Moon’s heartfelt story walks the line between humor and heartbreak, never shying away from the difficult ramifications of addiction. Tough subjects are addressed here...but the familial love and bonds of friendship always take things to a hopeful place.”-Booklist,
“Raw and realistic. Ultimately, the book feels both personal and beneficial for its intended audience.”-School Library Connection,
“This realistic portrayal of a family in crisis sugarcoats nothing, but offers conditional hope for the future. A compelling picture of an impoverished family struggling with hereditary alcoholism.” -School Library Journal,
“Sweet, sad, funny, heartbreaking, and hopeful, [Middletown] features authentic characters navigating life’s complexities, big and small. A moving and memorable glimpse into one endearing middle schooler’s life.” -Kirkus Reviews,
“The book’s tone is sharp and insightful but never judgmental, and the characters’ voices are distinctive and realistic. Moon offers up powerful and positive life lessons wrapped in an engaging, tender, and satisfying story.”-Horn Book,
“Original, funny, rueful, and most of all, real, Middletown is an engrossing tale told by a deeply likeable tough cookie.” -Emma Donoghue,
01/01/2021
Gr 6 Up—Eli, who is white and doesn't mind being mistaken for a boy, has a life of positives and negatives. Positives include her older sister, Anna, and best friends Javi, who is Puerto Rican and gay, and Meena, who is Indian American and "the prettiest girl in eighth grade." Negative is Eli's crush on Meena, because Eli thinks Meena likes boys. The biggest negative, however, is Eli's mother's alcoholism, which often results in police visits and unpaid bills. When a judge orders their mother into rehab, Anna comes to court as "Aunt Lisa," the girls' temporary guardian. Their situation worsens, though, with unpaid rent and Anna disappearing for days with her boyfriend. When social services comes calling, the girls flee—but where can they go? Moon builds a compelling picture of an impoverished family struggling with hereditary alcoholism. Coping with their mother's disease and its consequences has turned both girls into expert liars who struggle to trust anyone, and make poor decisions as a result—though both also find help and hope at Alateen. The world is well-built and the characters are distinct and believable, though Eli's penchant for snooping should have been introduced earlier. Also, the encounter with Anna's birth father feels like a wasted opportunity and adds little to the story. VERDICT This realistic portrayal of a family in crisis sugarcoats nothing, but offers conditional hope for the future.—Rebecca Moore, The Overlake Sch., Redmond, WA
2021-01-26
Teenage sisters lie in order to stay together while their mom is in rehab.
Thirteen-year-old Eli and her 17-year-old sister, Anna, are used to taking care of and covering for their alcoholic mom. After being caught driving while drunk, their mom is sent to rehab, and Anna pretends to be their Aunt Lisa so they won’t get put in foster care. At first, life continues as normal. Eli goes to school and hangs out with her best friends, Javi, the only other gay kid in school, and Meena, her secret crush. Her friends don’t know about Eli’s home life. When money starts to run out and their lie begins to unravel, Eli and Anna have to come up with a new plan. As they discover more about their family, they also learn how to be honest with and accept help from others. Soft-hearted, lovable Eli drives this slice-of-life, coming-of-age story. Alcoholism, queerness, and gender identity and expression (Eli thinks of herself as “not quite a girl”) are all deftly broached, but this is primarily a story of one kid being herself and doing the best she can. The story is never preachy, and there aren’t always easy answers or explanations. Sweet, sad, funny, heartbreaking, and hopeful, it features authentic characters navigating life’s complexities, big and small. Eli and family are implied White; Javi is Puerto Rican, and Meena is Indian American.
A moving and memorable glimpse into one endearing middle schooler’s life. (Fiction. 11-14)
