Very good audio book. I love Mamie Gummer (the reader) because she does an excellent job, and also because she's Meryl's daughter.

I have to say, though, that Emma-Jean is pretty much a Vulcan, right? This is like Spock Goes to Seventh Grade. But Colleen isn't a Captain Kirk character to Emma-Jean's Spock. She's just a completely normal, very kind girl who really balances the story nicely.
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Sweet and charming book about a girl who is governed by logic, and her interactions with the messy and irrational classmates with whom she shares her life. I was able to strongly relate to the protagonist, Emma-Jean; she's never specifically labeled as anything other than "strange," but I could easily see her occupying a place on the autism continuum (and I like the way that Emma-Jean's being "strange" is framed as a positive trait). Altogether, a compelling storyline, difficult to put down -- as, with good intentions, Emma-Jean resorts to various forgeries. I kept waiting with apprehension for her ruses to be discovered. ( )

This is a sweet little story of Emma Jean Lazarus, the quirky middle schooler who doesn’t quite fit in or fit in with her peers. She uses her analytical mind to try to help solve the problems of her classmates, with predictably bad result. I found this book on a couple lists of books with neurodiverse characters and while it’s not specifically stated, Emma Jean certainly possesses characteristics of Autsim Spectrum. It’s interesting to read the story from her point of view, how she perceives situations and the other kids in her school. She’s a wonderfully rich character and the book was a nice slice of middle school life. 4/5 stars ⭐️ ( )

Maybe 4.5 stars. Folks in the industry talk about reluctant readers as if they're all boys. Well, if you've got a 10-12 yo girl who needs just the right book, try this one. It's early spring, 7th-grade, and in just a couple hours read addresses complex issues inside two different girls, and their families, and their school. Also would be great for dads who don't understand their girls. ( )