Sing Something True

July 1, 2021
With Cass' BFF's turning away from her, the many meltdowns of her disabled older sister become harder to cope with. Cass' best friend, Dani, seems far too interested in prickly but nonetheless very attractive new girl Lucy, leaving the Jewish fifth grader left out. Although Cass is her mother's "Cassidy Sunshine," none of the strategies she tries to warm Lucy to her work at all. The new girl seems determined to make Cass feel bad, with Dani too swept up in Lucy's popularity to intervene. Meanwhile, Cass' sister, sixth grader Sophie, diagnosed with sensory processing disorder, is prone to severe meltdowns. Trying to avoid those disturbing events, her family has believably learned to be ever so careful, leaving Cass with responsibilities that are hard for the child. In an entrancing subplot that ultimately fails to fulfill its promise, Cass is befriended by a lonely robin that seems to have been left behind by its flock; she and the bird charmingly establish a magical rapport based on their shared musical talents. A too-tidy conclusion results after Cass finally asks her mother for help, makes her uncomfortable position clear to Dani (who receives it without a scrap of defensiveness), and bravely sets limits on Lucy--who, with equal improbability, mends her ways. The cast is default White; Cass and her family are Jewish, Dani is Latinx, and the fifth graders' sensitive teacher is Korean American. A fair-to-middling exploration of typical and not-so-common middle-grade challenges. (Fiction. 9-12)

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August 1, 2021

Gr 3-7-Fifth grader Cassidy's older sister Sophie has a sensory processing disorder. Their mom and dad depend on Cass to help keep Sophie from dysregulating, which means that Cass must set her feelings and problems aside. She often puts these problems into her "junk drawer" and puts on her "Cassidy Sunshine" face. Most of the time this is OK, because she has her best friend Dani to turn to when she feels bad. Recently though, Cass feels that she has been replaced in Dani's life with the new girl, Lucy. This becomes more apparent when Dani goes to a sleepover at Lucy's and returns to school excited to be taking dance class at Lucy's mom's dance studio. Other girls in class decide to take hip-hop lessons too, but the lessons are on the same day that Cassidy has voice lessons. Cass feels all of them have become entranced with the "Lucy-factor," and decides that she must befriend Lucy too so she can feel included again. Unfortunately, all her attempts fail, and Dani does not have her back. Finally, during the sixth-grade concert, Sophie falls apart when it is her turn to read. Cassidy is embarrassed when Lucy witnesses Sophie's meltdown and laughs at her sister. This event brings all of Cassidy's bad feelings to the surface and she blurts out her deep-down secret wish. How does Sophie, who is usually the one who needs help, support Cassidy? And how does a lonely robin help Cassidy understand that everyone needs a flock? VERDICT This middle grade novel hits the themes of friendship and self-discovery. Readers will empathize with Cassidy as she struggles to be a good friend and sister while remaining true to herself.-Annette Herbert, F. E. Smith Elem. Sch., Cortland, NY

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