The Kate In Between

by Claire Swinarski

Overview

In this timely,
call-to-action contemporary middle grade novel from Claire Swinarski, author of What Happens Next, a twelve-year-old girl must
face herself, and the truth, after her participation in a bullying incident
goes viral. 

Kate McAllister is desperate for
a change. Something to hit refresh and erase the pain of her mother leaving
town without her. So when a group of popular girls folds Kate into their
clique, it feels like the answer to all her problems—even if it means ditching
Haddie, her childhood bestie.


But
when Kate’s new friends decide that Haddie is their next target, Kate becomes a
passive participant in a cruel incident that could have killed Haddie…had Kate
not stepped in, at the last minute, and saved her. The next day, a cell phone
video of the rescue goes viral, and Kate is hailed a hero. But Kate knows the
truth—she was part of the problem—and it’s only a matter of time until the full
version of the video is released and everyone knows it too.


With
so much at stake, Kate must decide who she wants to be: a liar, a follower, or
someone greater.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062912718
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/17/2022
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.12(w) x 7.62(h) x (d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Claire Swinarski was born and raised in Wisconsin, where she still lives with her family and writes stories for readers of all ages. What Happens Next was her debut middle grade novel and was followed by The Kate in Between and What Happened to Rachel Riley, which was an ALA Notable Children’s Book, a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults title, a Cybils Award nominee, and an Edgar Award nominee. These were followed by Take It from the Top. She thinks wandering around a library can solve 95 percent of life’s problems.

Editorial Reviews

"This messy middle-school drama shines a light on what it means to develop identity. Illuminating." - Kirkus Reviews
The Kate In Between is a perfect portrayal of the middle school struggle to fit in and find one's true self. Kate's voice had me hooked from the first page. Outstanding!  - Lisa Greenwald, author of the Friendship List series
Well written and on point, Swinarski’s middle-grade take on the mean-girls novel will resonate with readers looking for a realistic story that doesn’t gloss over choices or consequences, giving them complex ideas to contemplate. - Booklist
"An engaging and inspiring novel about standing up for what's right, being your authentic self, and finding the strength to use your voice." - Lynne Kelly, author of Song For a Whale
"Swinarski adeptly presents multiple, and at times conflicting, sides of Kate in her struggle to figure out who she is and who she wants to be. With a well-developed protagonist, this book tackles bullying, friendship, parental roles, social ­media and social justice." - School Library Journal

From the Publisher