Far-Fetched

Ever since her older sister left to attend a private boarding school, seventh grader Lizzie, who is of Greek and Scottish descent, has felt consumed by anxiety. Running against popular and levelheaded April for class secretary—while navigating worries about crushes and doing well in school—exacerbates these anxious feelings, despite her supportive friends’ attempts to help with the campaign. When her anxiety begins to make her feel physically sick, Lizzie’s parents adopt Australian shepherd Bella to help Lizzie manage her emotions. Lizzie instantly falls in love with Bella’s bubbly personality. And then her mother insists they register Bella as an emotional support dog and have her accompany Lizzie to school. When her friends start using Bella in Lizzie’s campaign media, Lizzie wonders whether Bella is the reason for her sudden popularity. Friendship, siblinghood, and connection (both human and canine) buoy Lizzie as she struggles to advocate for her needs and learns how to manage anxiety surrounding others’ perceptions of her. Papademetriou (the Hearts & Crafts series) employs first-person narration both earnest and heartfelt to effectively anchor readers in Lizzie’s palpable emotions, resulting in a realistic, relatable portrayal of anxiety and middle school angst. Ages 8–12. (Feb.)