Maybe It’s a Sign

Gr 4-6–Thirteen-year-old Freya began playing the viola to please her father. Since his death eight months ago, there have been significant changes in her life, but she insists on believing in all his superstitious signs—because that means he isn’t truly gone. When she notices two red birds, she’s convinced Dad’s finally sending a clear message to continue to play. But she also really enjoys creating in the kitchen, even though she's forced to work with Gus, “the most annoying kid,” for their cooking class project. Though, maybe Gus isn’t so awful either. Versatile Bell empathically embodies family loss and middle school anxiety, nimbly modulating between unsettled Freya and clumsy Gus. She’s especially facile switching between teens and adults, her agile narration instantly adding and losing decades.