Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read an advanced copy of this book!

It's been a long time since I've read a middle grade book which is what led to me missing the chance to download this before the archive date. Having reread the synopsis recently and still finding it interesting, I decided to check it out as a bit of a breather in between some heavy memoirs for school assignments. Which was a good call because I enjoyed this book. It's also one of the first books I've read with Lupus rep with Jillian's mother which I liked the addition of plus the mention of sickle cell, it's rare that I get to see rep for things I'm familiar with in fictionalized stories.

My main draw to reading this was the cover art, I'm a sucker for the illustration style that it had along with the mini egg drawings at the beginning of the chapter to illustrate Jillian coming out of her shell (along with the actual chickens throughout the story). Jillian's way of thinking and talking just felt really familiar to me in terms of how she observes her surroundings to blend in and hide. It was really easy to like her and root for her as the story progressed.

Just Right Jillian by Nicole Collier helps readers, of all ages, learn to deal with nerves, big feelings, and just being yourself. A quick read with a big powerful message of be yourself and be counted (even before you hatch).

Doing a clean-up of NetGalley and any long-lingering non-feedback titles! Apologies for never getting to read this; don't even think I downloaded it in time. I'll take a look at it in my local library. Thanks for approving me, and apologies again.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me an advanced copy of this book to read and review.

Fifth grader Jillian is super smart, but when it comes to contributing in class, she freezes. Even when she knows the answers, she withdraws in order to avoid drawing attention to herself. When her teacher asks her to try out for the school Mind Bender team, she has her doubts, and her try out doesn't go well. She is encouraged by friends Marquis and Shelby, and she remembers the promise she made to her grandmother before she died--- to come out of her shell. Meanwhile, the classroom chicks are chipping their way out of their shells, which is a nice twist to mark Jillian's progress as she breaks out of her own shell. Jillian will resonate with many Third - Fifth grade students who developed anxiety and shyness due to isolation from classmates during the pandemic. Excellent examples of supportive adults, learning to be yourself, as well as Jillian's grief.
Thank you to Clarion Books, Versify, and Netgalley for the digital arc.

I really liked this MG novel! Jillian was a great main character, and I loved the writing/voice of the book. Overall, I would definitely recommend reading it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Just Right Jillian by Nicole D. Collier is a sweet book perfect for readers in 3rd-5th grade. Jillian isn't just shy, she literally can't speak up for herself. Even when she knows the answers, even when she wants to stand up for herself, even when she wants to be heard. Jillian is dealing with the grief left after her beloved grandmother passed away and she uses this love to propel herself towards change.

Jillian's issue is one that many middle grade readers will relate to. How does shyness impact one's life. And is being shy, the same as hiding? These are universal questions tweens in this stage of development all deal with. The universal themes of wanting to be oneself without being noticed in negative ways will appeal to a wide range of readers.

This book would make for a great book discussion about what does it mean to be brave and how does one make their voice heard.

Collier's debut middle grade novel needs a place on school and public library shelves. The flow, the investment in Jillian's story is well-crafted.

"The toughest battle, the most important one, is always the one inside, Jillian."

Ever since her grandmother passed away, Jillian has struggled to find her voice. How can she be as daring and brave as her grandmother was when she feels so small? Yet her shyness keeps her from speaking her mind, no matter if she knows the right answers or wishes for the same confidence as her nemesis, Rashida. Can Jillian break out of her shell like the baby chickens her classroom is hatching? Or will she forever feel trapped by big feelings and bigger fears?

Jillian's struggle is something every child can relate to, especially my fellow introverts. The urge to be heard and seen is within all of us, no matter our age. Jillian's journey is echoed in that of her friends, Marquez and Shelby, and her "nemesis," Rashida.

"Everyone wants to be like Rashida, but it sounds like Rashida just wants to be...free."

I loved the authenticity of the characters and the way the author showed Jillian's struggle to process her grief and coming-of-age in powerful and empowering ways. This is the book everyone should read full stop, no matter your age. A beautiful reminder of how much stronger we are when we find the courage to break from our shells and show love to others. No matter how difficult or scary it seems a the time. It's never too late. As Ms. W tells her class, "Chickens, just like plants and people, grow when they're ready."

Very sweet realistic middle grades books. I loved Jillian's voice in the book and found the story to be very relatable.

Jillian is in the fifth grade and just wants to fit in. She doesn't want to stand out or bring attention to herself. She has become extremely shy and will remain quiet rather than give a correct answer and win a class game, even though she is very smart. She wears her hair the same way as the popular girls and dresses in the same drab colours. When a classmate tells her she will never fit in, she is determined to prove him wrong and fulfill a promise she made to her grandma who died during the previous year. She starts to dress in bright colours, bring some of her woven items to school and registers for the school's biggest competition called Mind Bender. Will she be strong enough to compete and keep her nerves under control. Will she be able to become, Just Right Jillian?

I enjoyed this story about a smart, shy, bullied girl, who finally finds her voice and self, written by Nicole D Collier. Jillian needed to realize and act on her strengths to become the girl her family knew she could be. I really liked Jillian, but she made assumptions about others as much as they did about her. This was a realistic story and I loved the school activities that were in the story. The egg hatching, the emotions when it appeared the embryos were not viable, the competition between classes and the relationships between classmates was very relatable to this retired teacher. Jillian's friends were there for her and eventually she accepted their help and support. This is a story about finding your strengths, your voice and not worrying about what others think. This is easier said than done, but perhaps as Jillian learns, there are others out there who will support you, become friends with you and have more in common than you think. And as far as the Mind Bender goes, you will have to read the book to see what Jillian does. I recommend this to all middle grades students, even those who are the "popular kids" to see how they make others feel.

I am beginning to enjoy MG more than any other age of book types. I will recommend this one to all ages and a reminder that we can do great things.

Review by 10 year old: This was a fun book to read. It wasn't too hard and wasn't too easy. I like the main character and how she's someone I'd want to be friends with. I want to read more books like this and by this author.

First sentence: It's all Rashida's fault. Well, my Mama says don't say that. "Never start a story with the other person," she says. But sometimes you gotta start with the other person to tell the story. Only this is not a story story. It's the truth.

Premise/plot: Just Right Jillian is a coming of age novel starring an awesome (but super shy) heroine, Jillian. She's made a promise to her grandmother (before she died) that she would try to come out of her shell, that she would try to speak up and speak out, to be her truest self. Jillian sees participating in the Mind Bender (the school's biggest [academic] competition) as a way to keep her word. But it won't be easy for Jillian to learn to speak up. She may know the answer; she may know the RIGHT answer. But speaking up and saying it aloud is another thing.

Just Right Jillian is the perfect blend of home and school life. Readers get a chance to see Jillian at home (with her parents) and at school (with her teacher and classmates).

My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love this one. I love how the character's growth and development parallels that of the classroom's project--hatching chicks from eggs. I love the narration and writing. I love the story. I love the characters. I love how everything is JUST RIGHT.

This novel deserves all the love and attention. I don't know that it will receive it come award time, but it's won my heart.

Quotes:

My heart was safe with her. "You'll grow out of shyness, Jilly," she said more than once. "But don't hide! Being shy is one thing. Hiding is something else." I never really knew what she meant by hiding. Until today. Hiding means you're lying. You know what your heart wants, and you're scared, so you do the opposite. Hiding hurts. A lot.

At school, I don't think my classmates really see me, either. Maybe no one can. Except Ms. W. She has x-ray vision. What I wanna know is, does she see a winner or a loser? Or something in between?

How do you stop yourself from disappearing? Do you wear something special? Do you grow out of it and wake up brave? Do you just hope for the best and see what happens? Maybe tomorrow will be different. Maybe tomorrow, they will see me. Maybe tomorrow, I will be brave.

Today I would not blend in with everyone else. Today I would be Jillian in Purple and Pockets.

I had on Purple and Pockets, so all was not lost.

The toughest battle, the most important one, is always the one inside.

A sweet and tender story about a shy, smart, tenacious, inspiring child. Jillian is quiet and observant, it was so reminiscent of my daughter that it touched my heart really closely. The story and friendships are expertly and delicately handled and has representation that is desperately missing from middle grade stories. I loved meeting Marquez, seeing a wholesome supportive family that has real hurdles similar to what kids deal with in real life, teachers illuminating and encouraging, The whole story will be relatable to kids of many backgrounds and will ring familiar to many parents who likely did not see themselves or their families represented when they were young.

Thank you to NetGalley and Clarion Books for the review copy of Just Right Jillian by Nicole D. Collier. This book was really cute. Jillian is a great character. I loved the parallels of Jillian coming out of her shell as her class waits for the chicks to hatch in their classroom. The story is imaginative. I would recommend this to 2nd to 5th grade readers - it is beyond beginning chapter books, but definitely feels aimed toward 4th or 5th graders.

Jillian has spent her entire life being quiet and blending in, even wearing the unofficial fifth grade uniform and daily hairstyle like the rest of the girls. Still sad after her grandmother's death 11 months earlier, Jillian feels like it is time to make her grandma proud and break out of her shell. She starts will little changes, but eventually she decides to compete in her school's biggest competition. But speaking up and showing her true self is harder than it seems.
This book was delightful. Jillian is a sweet girl who is so relatable to all of those quiet souls out there. Jillian's story examines the themes of family, friendship, identity, confidence, and individuality. As an adult, I found this story fun and I think for your middle grade friends and family it is a must read.

Jillian is a fifth-grader learning how to break out of her shell. This is a charming book about believing in yourself to accomplish hard things.

This is a wonderful story for young readers! It addresses grief, divorce, shyness, illness, sadness, and being yourself. I loved the friendship between Jillian and Rashida. They seemed to be experiencing the same things and could relate to each other. I also liked how Jillian compares herself to the baby chicks they are hatching in their fifth-grade classroom. I think everyone can learn something from that experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Clarion Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Fantastic book! Well written with great illustrations. Such a good story that everyone would benefit from reading!

Being in the spot light can be a heavy weight to bear. Jillian would rather stay in the background and not be center of attention but she is tired of holding back and not shinning. She decides to break out of her shell and be vulnerable. Just Right Jillian is a great book about anxiety and meeting expectations. I loved the corresponding stories of Jillian and her process of breaking out and the development of the chicks they were watching. The character development was easy to understand and authentic to the age. The plot flowed well and connected every situation seamlessly.

A sweet story about resilience for middle grade readers. My đaughter and I read this together as our own little book club. I hope she can Tage some of Jillian's bravery into the classroom with her.