Rolling On

September 1, 2024
As 13-year-old Ellie Cowan faces high school, her relationships undergo difficult changes. Months after the events ofTime To Roll (2023), Ellie, Coralee, and Bert are entering "the grand finale of middle school." Ellie dreads high school, with new therapists and new classrooms that might not be wheelchair accessible. Even worse, Bert, for whom she's developed "fish-swishy" romantic feelings, might be attending boarding school in Kentucky next year--nine hours from Oklahoma. And while Mema always has wise advice, Grandpa's worsening Alzheimer's disease is taking a toll on the family. Ellie just wants everything to stay the same. Sumner poignantly explores complicated emotions ranging from crushes to grief, and readers will sympathize with Ellie as she struggles to express herself. The depiction of Grandpa's decline is particularly heart-wrenching. The bond between the friend trio remains strong, and Ellie and Bert's relationship brims with sweetness. Unfortunately, the author's handling of bullying is less successful; bullies' violent treatment of Bert, who's cued as neurodivergent, goes unreported, setting a troubling example for bullied readers and their peers. Though Bert retains his uber-logical charm, his lack of self-confidence remains largely unaddressed, which is particularly disappointing, given the increased focus on his character. While his persecution may, sadly, reflect reality, readers will likely wish his character arc would more clearly convey that he realizes he doesn't deserve to be bullied. Those facing life changes like Ellie's will find her experiences resonant and, ultimately, comforting, however. Most characters read white. Equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming.(Fiction. 10-14)

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