My Year in the Middle, by Lila Quintero Weaver

     Another OBOB book in this wonderful season of really good books, and My Year in the Middle does not disappoint! A sort of fictionalized memoir of the author, who is Argentina-born but grew up in Alabama. The main character of this story is Lu, a middle school student from Argentina growing up in Alabama, navigating the tumultuous times of the South in the United States when the Civil Rights Movement was still fresh and racism was still a part of life for many people, especially in the South. Lu discovers her love of running, and this starts one of many themes woven throughout the story. In that sense the book reminds me of the Track series by Jason Reynolds, and also in its theme of race and race relations between people in Lu's life (Lu finds a best friend as the story unfolds, a Black girl named Belinda, who proves to be one of the nicest people in Lu's life but also causes some derision with her peers).

    Because this book mirrors author Weaver's life so closely, it is hard to point out anything that seems like criticism of the story itself. But it's not the story that keeps this book from having more paws, but the language Weaver gives her characters, particularly Lu. It seems very forced, very unnatural. Especially in the first half of the book, the frequent use of words like "golly" and "whippersnappers" make it seem like Weaver was trying really hard to put us into the early 1970s. I don't think those words were so wide spread in the 70s as they appear to be from this story.

    I did like the book much more past the half way point. But I couldn't help but wish during the first half that the story would either get better somehow or be a really quick book to finish. This is a really good story, but I didn't think it was the best version of what could have been an even better story. For that reason I give it 3 paws.

    If you want really good stories that delve into issues like race, diversity, and racism, especially in the United States, you could find exceptional books by writers like Jason Reynolds, Jacqueline Woodson, Gary Soto, Cynthia Kadohata, and more! I would be open to reading future books by Weaver, but I'm not sure I would go looking for them on purpose. Maybe you feel differently? If so, please let me know!