Happy & Sad & Everything True

Gr 5-7–Prolific aural expert Kelly empathically ciphers Thayer’s debut novel with spunky charm, enhancing protagonist Dee’s struggles with inspiring tenacity and celebrating Dee’s triumphs with humorous delight. Sixth grade is off to a horrible start—bff Juniper is drifting away, while laughing with the whole school at Dee’s embarrassing mother with her too-short dress that doesn’t cover her lacy, blue-flowered underwear during Parent PE Day. Dee’s taken to hiding in the bathroom but finds she’s not alone—and maybe her own travails might help others through theirs, from classmate Harry struggling with his own parent, to other kids, both younger and older. While Thayer’s narrative occasionally veers toward paralyzing naval-gazing, Kelly’s bubbly energy manages to keep listeners actively, entertainingly engaged.