For the child who feels overlooked or struggles to express their true self, this book explores finding your voice and understanding your place within a family.
A parent might reach for this book when their child feels overlooked, misunderstood, or like the "quiet one" in a busy family. It tells the story of Ashleigh, an eleven-year-old book lover who feels invisible between her model older sister and her adorable younger brother. She finds a connection with her new creative writing teacher, which helps her explore her own identity, feelings, and voice. For ages 9-12, this gentle, introspective novel is a wonderful choice for validating a child's feelings of being different and opening up quiet conversations about self-discovery, family dynamics, and the confusing, powerful nature of first crushes.
The book's central sensitive topic is emerging sexual identity, handled through the protagonist's crush on a female teacher. The approach is direct but gentle and age-appropriate, focusing on Ashleigh's internal feelings of connection and admiration without explicit labels. The resolution is realistic and hopeful: the teacher maintains professional boundaries, but her encouragement empowers Ashleigh to find self-worth. The approach is entirely secular.
Ideal Reader
A thoughtful, introspective 10 to 12-year-old who feels like the quiet observer in their own life. It's particularly resonant for a child navigating intense feelings for the first time, or one who is beginning to question their identity and would benefit from a gentle, normalizing story about a same-sex crush.
Parent Prep
A parent should be aware of the student-teacher crush storyline. The book handles it with care and propriety, but a parent may want to be prepared to discuss the nature of crushes, admiration, and appropriate boundaries. It's a great opportunity to open a conversation about strong feelings and identity. The book can be read cold, but context helps. A parent notices their child seems withdrawn or has said something like, "No one ever listens to me," or "You love [sibling] more." The child might feel unseen or be struggling to articulate their feelings.
Age Experience
A younger reader (9-10) will likely connect most with the themes of sibling rivalry and feeling invisible, interpreting the crush as strong admiration for a favorite teacher. An older reader (11-12) is more likely to recognize the romantic undertones of the crush and connect the story to themes of self-discovery and nascent LGBTQ+ identity.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many middle-grade books that deal with crushes on peers, this one uniquely uses the student-teacher crush as a safe, internal catalyst for self-discovery. It normalizes the intensity of these feelings while gently exploring an early stage of queer identity without melodrama or heavy-handed messaging. Its quiet, character-driven nature is its greatest strength.
Read plot summary
Ashleigh Walker, 11, is the quiet middle child who feels overshadowed by her model sister and cherubic younger brother. She's a passionate reader and writer who finds an outlet in her creative writing class, taught by the inspiring Miss Murray. Ashleigh develops an intense, all-consuming crush on her teacher, pouring her feelings into her writing. This journey of grappling with a powerful, one-sided crush helps her navigate a rocky patch with her best friend, find the courage to communicate with her family, and ultimately begin to understand and accept her own identity.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Ashleigh's mom tells her, "We forgot to read you." What do you think she means by that? How does Ashleigh help her family learn to "read" her by the end of the book?
2
Ashleigh develops very strong feelings for her teacher, Miss Murray. What was it about Miss Murray that made Ashleigh feel so seen and understood?
3
Near the end, Ashleigh realizes that she might have been trying to 'write' a story about herself and Miss Murray that wasn't real. What does she learn about the difference between real life and the stories we imagine?
4
Ashleigh and her best friend Poppy have a difficult time in the middle of the story. Why do you think Ashleigh pulls away from Poppy? What does it take for them to become friends again?
