Tess has always been a worrier, and it only gets worse after her best friend Collette dies. Going back with her aunt and uncle to their cabin, Tess has to battle the mean voice in her head while struggling with the grief. She tries to pour it into her art at the art camp she's in for the summer, but the worry overtakes her and she can't do anything it feels. This was a challenging read because you do get stuck in Tess's head and it does get overwhelming. She doesn't feel like she has support of her mom, or her twin sister, and constantly thinks people are staring at her. I did enjoy how her description of anxiety was "fairies on her spine" which feels accurate. Slowly, Tess lets people into her world and starts sharing what she's really feeling. I liked the ending but it doesn't feel fully resolved. I would have liked more between Tess and her mom. Either way, a good description of grief and how everyone has a different journey.

I loved this follow up to Tornado Brain showing Tess's perspective coping with anxiety in the aftermath of intense personal tragedy and grief. From the first book, Tess is set up to be the "normal" sister who is not neurodivergent, but in this book we see her anxieties start to creep in and I think it is a good example for young readers of all the different ways people's brains can work differently.

Such a great companion read to Tornado Brain. I really liked seeing how the other sister dealt with the loss of their best friend. I also liked that this book focused on the aftermath and handling grief.

Beautiful relatable book. I know specific readers I would recommend this to and more broadly this is a contemporary story I will book talk to high school classes. Had to take a leave from writing reviews and then more recently a leave from work. Apologies for the late review.

This is a companion to the brilliant Tornado Brain which, if you haven’t read the first book, I can’t tell you too much about the second book. Except that Paper Heart is told from the perspective of Frankie’s twin sister, Tess. She is dealing with a LOT and just wants to be seen and loved and heard, but feels selfish asking for those things. I'm so glad there was a sequel. I am not done with this family. At all.

Having never read Tornado Brain, I had some catching up to do. However, this book can be read as a standalone. This book did not disappoint & I will be recommending for kids ages 10+ who like realistic fiction

Both Paper Heart & Tornado Brain lead you into the life of this family with mysteries that need to be solved. The reader finds themselves eager & excited to follow along with the main characters to solve that mystery. The anxiety that is presented in this story is represented well. The reason that I haven't purchased either of these stories for my library is that I'm really on the fence about the representation of Autism/ADHD. In some places it's really well done, in other places it seems to really lean into stereotypes. It's hard because I really want more representation of Autism/ADHD in girls in books. If it was represented in multiple books so that young readers could see the diversity in Autism & ADHD I feel like I'd run out & buy this book. It is a good book overall.

terrific middle grade about Tess who is attending an art camp while staying in the family vacation cabin. Usually this would be a wonderful thing, but everything reminds her of her best friend Colette who had been with her last summer but has since died in a tragic accident. This definitely skews to the older side of middle grade, with Tess struggling with coping with grief by using self harm and the adults in her life appearing to give her space but from this adult's eyes I wish some adult in Tess's life had tried to reach her. By the end of the book, it seems like this is happening.

Tess is having a hard time dealing with the loss of her best friend. Spending the summer with her relatives, Tess is attending an art camp at the library. Having always had a hard time making friends, Tess is worried her grief will overwhelm her or she will be unable to make more friends. Meanwhile, Tess starts seeing different people and things related to the horror story she told her friend last year. Could her friend be haunting her? Will she be able to forgive herself? Recommended for libraries where realistic fiction, books dealing with grief, and friendship stories are popular. 4 stars, Grades 4 to 7.

Please note: This was a review copy given to us by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No financial compensation was received.

I received an electronic ARC from PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group through NetGalley.
Companion novel to Tornado Brain.
Powerful story told from the other sister's perspective as she copes with the aftermath of her best friend's death. Tess has gone back to Wyoming with her aunt, uncle and cousins for the summer. She's feeling lost and forgotten and like the only person still grieving for Colette. Readers see the serious anxiety and negative thoughts she copes with as she lets new people into her life and wrestles with the "mean voice" she hears in her head. They also see her face fears and take back some control of her life. Frankie is part of the story through calls, texts and video chats and the love between the two is obvious though they each bring their own anxieties to the relationship.
Patrick shows a tender touch as she tackles major issues for this age group. She invites readers to stand with her characters and see the world as they see it. From the flashback opening to the Epilogue, readers are invited to be part of the action and treasure memories and experiences. Patrick offers them the opportunity to heal along with Tess and Frankie.