Unstuck, page 1
Praise for Unstuck
“For years now, Barbara Dee has written one exceptional novel after another. Unstuck may be her best yet. Lyla’s story is at once unique and universal, and readers will finish the book feeling inspired and empowered to take control of, and share, their stories.”
—Jarrett Lerner, author of A Work in Progress
“A wonderful, heartfelt and honest story about trying to write a novel and survive middle school, Unstuck is this generation’s Dear Mr. Henshaw.”
—Kirby Larson, author of Newbery Honor Book Hattie Big Sky
“Lyla is a character to root for! Her battle with writer’s block and her journey to overcome it are both relatable and inspiring. With family and friendship relationships weaved in, Unstuck is an entertaining and heartfelt read.”
—Janae Marks, New York Times bestselling author of On Air With Zoe Washington
“A portrait of a writer as a seventh grader! Humorous, heart-warming, and oh-so-real, Unstuck shows us how surviving middle school is a lot like the craft of writing. We must accept that it isn’t easy, it helps to have friends, and, above all, we have to stay true to ourselves. Word lovers and budding novelists will love this book—but so will anyone who is, will soon be, or once was an adolescent.”
—Jennifer Ziegler, author of Worser
“Unstuck joyfully celebrates the complex writing process and empowers young readers with the knowledge that creativity is a personal journey and sometimes strength is found in unexpected places.”
—Veera Hiranandani, author of How to Find What You’re Not Looking For and The Night Diary, a Newbery Honor Book
“With her trademark humor and warmth, Barbara Dee has crafted an empowering story about creativity, self-esteem, and the pressures that come along with pursuing a passion. Dee incorporates writing strategies that will inspire budding authors and delight English teachers, and Lyla’s deeply relatable journey will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt stuck—whether they’re battling writer’s block, navigating changing friendships, or yearning to emerge from a sibling’s shadow.”
—Laurie Morrison, author of Up for Air and Coming Up Short
“With perfect storytelling, Barbara Dee’s latest novel is an honest look at finding the courage to push forward in the complexities of friendship, family, creativity, and truth—even when it seems impossible.”
—Chris Barron, author of All of Me and The Magical Imperfect
“In Unstuck, Barbara Dee writes with an uncondescending and inspiring honesty that captures the highs, lows, and in-betweens of the creative process. This book is a gift to young readers and a valentine to young writers everywhere.”
—Chris Tebbetts, co-author of the Middle School series with James Patterson and author of Me Myself & Him
Praise for Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet
“Once again, Barbara Dee has created vivid, real, likable middle school characters who tackle big problems. Full of humor, science, and activism, Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet addresses the eco-anxiety that many young people feel. Readers will cheer for Haven and her friends as they navigate complicated friendships and act to help save their town’s river… and, just maybe, the planet.”
—Rajani LaRocca, author of Newbery Honor Book Red, White, and Whole
“Relatable, achingly imperfect, and inspiringly hopeful, Barbara Dee’s characters jump off the page. Readers will cheer for Haven as she discovers that—in spite of our fears—we all have the ability to do small things greatly.”
—Jodi Lynn Anderson, bestselling author of My Diary from the Edge of the World and the Thirteen Witches trilogy
“An empathetic exploration of youth eco-anxiety that provides comfort, hope, and ways to cope in an uncertain world. Barbara Dee’s deeply developed and beautifully flawed characters navigate the ups and downs of friendships and family relationships as they face a local environmental crisis head-on in this crucial, timely, and engaging novel.”
—Lisa McMann, New York Times bestselling author of the Unwanteds series
“I loved this book! Haven Jacobs is full of heart, healing, and hope. This story will leave readers inspired, energized, and ready to change the world.”
—Carrie Firestone, author of Dress Coded and The First Rule of Climate Club
“Dynamic, engaging, and full of heart, Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet is the voice of a generation of kids who care deeply about the environment and want to put hope into action.”
—Chris Baron, author of All of Me and The Magical Imperfect
“As readers keep turning the pages of this accessible and immediately engaging narrative, they will discover in Haven Jacobs a relatable, believable protagonist with an indefatigable spirit.”
—Padma Venkatraman, author of Born Behind Bars and The Bridge Home
“A powerful and pitch-perfect story that will inspire readers to take action and fight for change.”
—Alyson Gerber, author of Taking Up Space and Focused
A 2021 SLJ Best Book
Praise for Violets Are Blue
“Violets Are Blue will break your heart and then piece it back together with infinite care. Barbara Dee expertly captures the struggle to be known and loved within a narrative that presents the complicated reality of addiction. Both Wren and her mother will stay with you long after this story is done.”
—Jamie Sumner, author of Roll with It and Tune It Out
“Barbara Dee tunes into issues that impact middle schoolers and writes about them with compassion, insight, and just plain excellent storytelling. I loved this absorbing, accessible novel, which explores the heartbreaking effects of opioid addiction while also celebrating the joys of discovering a passion and finding people who understand you.”
—Laurie Morrison, author of Up for Air and Saint Ivy
“Barbara Dee has done it again! Violets Are Blue is an emotionally rich story that masterfully weaves life’s messy feelings while gently and thoughtfully tackling the difficult subject of opioid addiction. Beautiful. Complicated. And full of heart. A must read!”
—Elly Swartz, author of Smart Cookie and Dear Student
“Told realistically and with compassion, Violets Are Blue provides a fascinating look into the world of special effects makeup, budding friendships, family, and the secrets we keep.”
—Melanie Sumrow, author of The Inside Battle and The Prophet Calls
A 2021 SLJ Best Book
A Project LIT Book Club selection
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A Cybils Awards Finalist
One of A Mighty Girl’s 2021 Books of the Year
Praise for My Life in the Fish Tank
“I loved My Life in the Fish Tank. Once again, Barbara Dee writes about important topics with intelligence, nuance, and grace. She earned all the accolades for Maybe He Just Likes You and will earn them for My Life in the Fish Tank too.”
—Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, author of Newbery Honor Books Fighting Words and The War That Saved My Life
“I felt every beat of Zinny Manning’s heart in this authentic and affecting story. Barbara Dee consistently has her finger on the pulse of her middle-grade audience. Outstanding!”
—Leslie Connor, author of A Home for Goddesses and Dogs and National Book Award finalist The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle
“My Life in the Fish Tank is a powerful portrayal of a twelve-year-old dealing with her sibling’s newly discovered mental illness. Author Barbara Dee deftly weaves in themes of friendship, family, and secrets, while also reminding us all to accept what we can’t control. I truly loved every moment of this emotional and gripping novel, with its notes of hope that linger long after the last page.”
—Lindsay Currie, author of The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street and Scritch Scratch
“My Life in the Fish Tank rings true for its humor, insight, and honesty. Zinny is an appealing narrator, and her friendships with supporting characters are beautifully drawn.”
—Laura Shovan, author of Takedown and A Place at the Table
“Barbara Dee offers a deeply compassionate look at life for twelve-year-old Zinny, whose older brother faces mental health challenges. This touching novel will go a long way in providing understanding and empathy for young readers. Highly recommended.”
—Donna Gephart, award-winning author of Lily and Dunkin and Abby, Tried and True
A Bank Street Best Book of the Year
A Junior Library Guild Selection
One of A Mighty Girl’s 2020 Books of the Year
Praise for Maybe He Just Likes You
“Mila is a finely drawn, sympathetic character dealing with a problem all too common in middle school. Readers will be cheering when she takes control! An important topic addressed in an age-appropriate way.”
—Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, author of Newbery Honor Books Fighting Words and The War That Saved My Life
“In Maybe He Just Likes You, Barbara Dee sensitively breaks down the nuances of a situation all too common in our culture—a girl not only being harassed, but not being listened to as she tries to ask for help. This well-crafted story validates Mila’s anger, confusion, and fear, but also illuminates a pathway towards speaking up and speaking out. A vital read for both girls and boys.”
—Veera Hiranandani, author of Newbery Honor Book The Night Diary
“Mila’s journey will resonate with many readers, exploring a formative and common experience of early adolescence that has too often been ignored. Important and empowering.”
—Ashley Herring Blake, author of Sto
“Maybe He Just Likes You is an important, timeless story with funny, believable characters. Mila’s situation is one that many readers will connect with. This book is sure to spark many productive conversations.”
—Dusti Bowling, author of Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus
“In this masterful, relatable, and wholly unique story, Dee shows how one girl named Mila finds empowerment, strength, and courage within. I loved this book.”
—Elly Swartz, author of Smart Cookie and Dear Student
“Maybe He Just Likes You is the perfect way to jump-start dialogue between boy and girl readers about respect and boundaries. This book is so good. So needed! I loved it!”
—Paula Chase, author of So Done and Keeping It Real
A Washington Post Best Children’s Book
An ALA Notable Children’s Book
A Project LIT Book Club selection
A Bank Street Best Book of the Year
An ALA Rise: A Feminist Book Project selection
To my family, always there for me when I get stuck
THE BLANK PAGE
Okay, here we go.
What I’ve been waiting for, the chance to share my story. Not just the random bits I’ve been writing in my head, or scribbling on notepads, but the whole thing, from the absolute beginning.
I mean, I guess from the absolute beginning.
Because… what exactly is the absolute beginning? The day Aster is born? Or runs away from home? Or first spies the one-toed Beast that’s tracking her every move? But so much happens before all that, and it’s stuff I should probably explain in the first chapter. Seriously, if you don’t know about the Defectors, or Oleander the Witch, or how Aster’s big sister is basically kidnapped, nothing in the plot will make any sense.
And this story gets incredibly complicated, although in a good way. Really, there’s so much action, it could be a whole series! I wonder if Ms. Bowman would let me keep writing. I bet she would, once she sees how much there is to tell, because she’s the kind of teacher who lets you actually create. Unlike Mr. Delgado last year, who made us write five-paragraph essays on topics like Why Kids Need Limits on Screen Time. I mean literally—five paragraphs, not four or six. Once I actually wrote seven paragraphs and he made me smoosh them together so that I had exactly five. It’s amazing I survived sixth grade without my brain leaking out my ears.
And now Ms. Bowman is smiling in my direction. Making eye contact and nodding like, Go ahead, Lyla. Why don’t you start writing?
I smile back at her like, No problem! Here I go! Writing my story!
Seriously, Ms. Bowman is the coolest teacher in the entire school, even if she thought my sister, Dahlia, was a genius. But I don’t hold it against her, because teachers always think Dahlia is a genius. It’s what my parents think too. And of course Dahlia agrees with all of them.
Anyway.
I click the top of my favorite gel pen: blue ink, extra-fine tip, not too clunky in my hand. When Ms. Bowman told us about daily writing, some kids said they could write only on their laptops. Ms. Bowman said she’d like us to begin our stories in spiral notebooks, although later on we can switch to tablets or computers, if we want. But I don’t think I will, at least not until I have a first draft. I like to feel a pen in my hand, and see my handwriting on the paper. It just seems, I don’t know, more personal somehow.
And the thought that soon, in maybe just a few weeks, this empty notebook will be completely filled—every page, every line—makes me feel like dancing. Of course I stay in my seat, but it’s hard to stop smiling. Not that you need to suffer to write a story! I mean, that’s such a cliché, right? Why can’t writing just make you happy?
In front of me, Stella Ramirez is using a pencil, and so is Noah Hennessey on my right. Stella’s pencil is one of those fancy mechanical ones, but Noah’s is a nub, barely big enough to grip. I watch them both hunch over their desks, doing two different kinds of hunching. Stella sits like she’s taking a test, and doesn’t want anyone copying her answers. Noah is hunched like he’s already given up, even though we’re just getting started.
Poor Noah—he looks so miserable. In math class he knows all the answers, so I bet he likes numbers better than words. I’m the total opposite: if I could do nothing all day long except reading and writing, I’d be the happiest human on the planet!
CHAPTER ONE
This story will have lots of chapters, so they’ll definitely need numbers. I wonder how many there’ll be by the last page of this notebook, because it’s going to be extremely long. Way longer than five paragraphs—so DO NOT READ THIS, Mr. Delgado! Nothing to see here, hahaha!
Although later on I might give the chapters titles instead of numbers. Possibly. I haven’t decided—but that’s okay, because there’s plenty of time to think about things like that. We’re going to be working on this writing project for the next few weeks, Ms. Bowman says. Every day, for at least a few minutes! Woohoo!
Seriously, Ms. Bowman is like the Best Teacher Ever. I can barely wait to see her reaction when she reads this! When I’m ready to show it to her, I mean.
Oh no. Wait, stop!
Why is my hand all blue?
Is that ink?
Oh crap, my pen is leaking!
Gross! Just as I was getting started!
I’d better go wash up in the bathroom.
Even if the period is basically over now, and I won’t have time to do any writing.
INK POISONING
Right after ELA is lunch. Like usual, I sit with Journey Lombardi-Sullivan. One day at the start of seventh grade she just decided that we would sit together, and I was too surprised by this to argue. So now that’s what we do every day.
Back in elementary school, I always ate lunch with my best friend, Rania Goswami. But the way our town works, starting in sixth grade half the kids from our elementary school go to Walt Whitman Middle School and the other half go to Emily Dickinson. And since Rania lives on the north side of town, she goes to Dickinson. I go to Whitman, along with no one I’m actually friends with.
Unless you count Journey, who’s a nice person, but a little… weird. I mean, I think it’s cool that her dream job is to work in the control room at NASA. I like hearing about all her pets—a corn snake, a ferret, a bearded dragon, some rabbits, a box turtle, and an axolotl. I don’t mind that she always wears a chocolate-brown newsboy cap indoors (unless a teacher makes her take it off). I don’t even mind the way she hums (softly, just loud enough that you can tell she’s off-key). But sometimes having a normal conversation with her isn’t easy.
For example, today. I’m telling her about my story—what I’m deciding about the characters—and she isn’t saying anything, or asking questions. But she’s eating her big, drippy taco like she forgot to have breakfast.
“And when Aster discovers what’s happened to her big sister, she leaves home to rescue her,” I explain.
Journey doesn’t say anything. Some cheddar cheese escapes from her taco; she pokes it back in with her thumb. Is she even listening? It’s hard to tell.
“So that’s why she has to battle through the Quagmire,” I add. “Which is haunted by the Defectors. And other creatures too, like a mysterious one-toed Beast.”
“Huh,” Journey says finally. “Why can’t Aster just fly over it?”
“Excuse me?”
“The Quagmire, I mean. Didn’t you say she had wings?”
“No. Where’d you get that?”
“Oh, sorry. I thought that’s what you said.”
“Journey, Aster’s a person, not a dragon. Or a bird—”
“Sorry, Lyla. I like comics, but I don’t read a whole lot of fantasy.” Journey tugs on the brim of her newsboy cap. She used to have hair down to her butt until one day in sixth grade, when she cut it off to donate to Locks of Love. Now what’s left of her almost-blond hair practically disappears under her cap. Except for her bangs, which she didn’t cut at all.
Sometimes I think about chopping off my hair for a good cause. But it’s thick and shiny, the kind of brown that changes color in the sunlight. I’ve spent the past two years growing it past my shoulders—and with my pale, round cheeks, gray eyes, and blobby nose, it’s the only thing about my looks I actually like.
