Everything I Know About You

Reach for this book when your middle schooler is navigating complex social dynamics, body image concerns, or the heavy burden of keeping a peer's secret. It is an essential choice for parents of children aged 9 to 13 who are beginning to face the reality that friendship sometimes requires difficult, high-stakes decisions regarding a friend's health and safety. While the plot follows Tally on a seventh-grade class trip to Washington, DC, the heart of the story is her growing realization that her roommate and former rival, Ava, is struggling with an eating disorder. The book masterfully explores themes of empathy, loyalty, and the difference between tattling and helping. Barbara Dee provides a realistic, compassionate look at early adolescent struggles without being didactic, making it a safe yet profound entry point for conversations about mental health and body positivity.