29 Jun / Different Kinds of Fruit by Kyle Lukoff [in Booklist]
Prolific, perennially youthful-voiced Cassandra Morris channels her infectious energy for Kyle Lukoff’s (Too Bright to See) newest vivacious protagonist, Annabelle, of Tahoma Falls, a small town just 40 minutes (but distinctly far) from Seattle.
As a sixth grader, she’s about to start her final year at the Lab, the community school she’s been going to with pretty much the same kids and staff since kindergarten. But on the first day, her assumptions are happily upended with both a new teacher and a new student. Bailey, who has the very best sneakers, also happens to be nonbinary. Annabelle and Bailey’s bond is near-instant.
The well-paced reveal of their commonalities proves life-changing, not only for the new bffs, but for their families, friends, school, town, and even beyond. Annabelle’s revelations are many, and Morris keeps up with her surprise, her frustrations, her longings, her triumphs, and her celebrations.
Lukoff appears at book’s end to share his poignant acknowledgements about the genesis of his story – and the “wide and diverse and complex network” that enabled and supported his latest literary success.
Review: “Media,” Booklist, June 1, 2022
Readers: Adult
Published: 2022