Unstuck
by Barbara Dee (Author)
From critically acclaimed author Barbara Dee comes a middle grade novel about a girl whose struggles with anxiety and writer's block set off unexpected twists and turns, both on and off the page.
Lyla is thrilled when her seventh-grade English language arts class begins a daily creative writing project. For the past year, she's been writing a brilliant fantasy novel in her head, and here's her chance to get it on paper! The plot to Lyla's novel is super complicated, with battle scenes and witches and a mysterious one-toed-beast, but at its core, it's about an overlooked girl who has to rescue her beautiful, highly accomplished older sister.
But writing a fantasy novel turns out to be harder than simply imagining one, and pretty soon Lyla finds herself stuck, experiencing a panic she realizes is writer's block. Part of the problem is that she's trying to impress certain people--like Rania, her best friend who's pulling away, and Ms. Bowman, the coolest teacher at school. Plus, there's the pressure of meeting the deadline for the town writing contest. A few years ago, Lyla's superstar teen sister Dahlia came in second, and this time, Lyla is determined to win first prize.
Finally, Lyla confides about her writing problems to Dahlia, who is dealing with her own academic stress as she applies to college. That's when she learns Dahlia's secret, which is causing a very different type of writer's block. Can Lyla rescue a surprisingly vulnerable big sister, both on the page and in real life?
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Kirkus
A heartfelt exploration of a young writer’s struggles and successes, with practical advice included.
Publishers Weekly
Seventh grader Lyla Benjamin is bursting with ideas for the extravagant fantasy novel she's been plotting for a year, which centers on witches, feuding sisters, and a one-toed beast. But when her English class begins a creative writing unit that will end with the students participating in a town-wide writing contest that Lyla's apparently perfect older sister Dahlia once won, Lyla experiences unexpected writer's block. Even though she knows where she wants her novel to go, Lyla feels paralyzed by her goal to create an impressive story, resulting in distractions when she's supposed to be writing. Her stress over the fast-approaching deadline is amplified by interpersonal complications including a growing rift with her best friend Rania, who's attending a different middle school, and Dahlia confiding in Lyla that she's uncertain about attending college. Through Lyla's by turns earnest and anxious first-person perspective, Dee (Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet) deftly depicts the complex and sometimes turbulent writing process, and the self-doubt that can come with it. A section titled "Twenty-Five Ways to Get Unstuck" concludes. Lyla and her family are white; the supporting cast is racially diverse. Ages 9-13. Agent: Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary. (Feb.)
Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
School Library Journal
Gr 3-7--Lyla, 12, is in love with the idea of writing. She has a fully formed world and plot in her head but writer's block has her feeling highly stressed and disappointed in herself, her anxiety verging on panic attacks. In her story, a younger sister saves her older one from various dangers using her quick wits. In reality, Lyla's sister Dahlia can barely tolerate her. Preoccupied by senior year college applications, Dahlia chafes at her parents' encouragement that feels more like demands and she takes it out on Lyla. An elementary friendship is unraveling as Lyla insists that friends have to have everything in common; meanwhile, a writing contest deadline looms. All in all, Lyla feels stuck. But gentle support from her ELA teacher helps her deal with the growing anxiety and a possible new friend, who is nothing like Lyla, promises a path ahead. Ultimately, Lyla doesn't write her story, she lives it, and helps Dahlia find her own path. Short dynamic chapters and Lyla's distinctive and energetic voice will keep readers flipping the pages. Just as she has in My Life in the Fish Tank and other titles, Dee showcases the power of compassion and understanding during the crucial middle school years of growth and change. Readers see how anxiety starts, how it grows--and how it can be managed. The tips and tricks here about writing and stress will definitely translate to real life. VERDICT A top choice for middle school libraries and a great handsell for young adults with younger siblings.--Lee De Groft
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Review quotes
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV013070 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Siblings
Schools
Sisters
Authorship
Creative writing
