This book will stay with me for a long time. I found myself rooting for Gwen throughout. Her desperation to find out what is "wrong" with her, even if it means being labeled, was palpable. I felt her relief when she found a therapist who listened to her and helped her feel less defective. This book will definitely help students and I will add it to my classroom library and recommend it highly.

This was such an eye opening book about struggling with being mentally different. The author took us along on this journey - the struggles and the frustration. You will feel these emotions during the first couple of chapters. Don't give up!!!! This helps to set the stage to see the daily aggravation and disappointment from all the characters perspectives. This journey is not easy. There are times when Gwen would backslide. But hopefully everyone can be just as successful to find the right treatment plan. like she did. And maybe it can open our eyes to appreciate that everyone is different, which is good!
I really appreciated the importance of the letters. It's easier when there is a name of a disease that you can refer to.

I am a huge reader, and I read a lot faster than most people. But I don’t normally finish a book in one day unless it was amazing. Fifty-Four Things Wrong with Gwendolyn Rogers was one of those books. Ms. Carter has written a beautiful story, and it places you right in Gwendolyn’s head. You’ll root and cheer for Gwendolyn and you will feel for her every step of the way. It was almost making my heart hurt how badly I felt for her!
Gwendolyn Rogers knows something’s wrong with her. After she reads a school report, she knows that there’s actually fifty-four things wrong with her including being socially inept, picky about appearance, and forgetful. But if Gwendolyn wants to go to horse camp with her half-brother, Tyler, she’ll have to figure out how to get her fifty-four things under control. And she remembers that her mother did Twelve Steps to help her when her life was out of control. Maybe the same steps that helped her mother can help her too?
There were so many wonderful things about this book, but above all I loved the rawness of Gwendolyn’s voice. She was trying so hard to be perfect, and I felt incredibly bad for her as she tried to “fix” herself. And I thought it was eye opening to see how many thoughts and feelings she had inside her head. One of the reasons why I love reading books is because it gives you so much empathy for people. Fifty-Four Things Wrong with Gwendolyn Rogers was one of those books. It shows you how other people are struggling, and I believe it will help children to show kindness especially to people who are “weird”.
Thankfully, Gwendolyn had a lot of wonderful people in her life show kindness to her. I loved Tyler, and how the two of them clicked in such a wonderful way. It was hard for Gwendolyn because she adored her brother, but it was clear to her that her mother and her friends did not. But I really appreciated how her mother was not painted as the villain. She was a single mother who was trying to help her daughter, but all of her ideas weren’t working. They had to learn how to communicate with each other instead of going straight to fighting. This was a wonderful book that I would definitely recommend to a middle schooler and their parents! I love how the importance of communication was shown, and I think parents and children talking though this book would also be helpful. There is a prominent theme of a non binary individual.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

I posted my review on Goodreads, Bookbub, and Barnes and Nobles

This would be an asset to any collection. Kids with ADHD need to read this book. Parents and relatives and friends of people with ADHD need to read this book. I saw my daughter in this book and was so glad she is represented on the shelf and in such a phenomenal way.

I hope any kid who needs this book finds it.

I also hope adults who read this reflect on how we constantly fail children. That sounds super heavy but that's how Fifty-Four Things Wrong With Gwendolyn Rogers made me feel.

Nobody understands Gwendolyn, including herself. All she knows is the list she makes for herself, because she sees herself as not *having* these problems but *being* these problems. She struggles with paying attention, with anger, with organization. She is surrounded by adults who do not understand her, and most don't even seem like they want to.

I was very endeared towards Gwendolyn. I loved that she took the Twelve Steps from AA to try to figure herself out. I loved that she was so excited to be finally (but ultimately mis-) diagnosed with ADHD since she was just wanting a label for herself. I loved that she stood up for her actions when certain adult characters refused to connect with her. I loved her friends.

I don't think I'll want to read this again but I'm glad I did in the first place.

This novel just sucked me in! It tells the story of Gwendolyn Rogers, a neurodivergent 6th grader whose lack of a formal diagnosis has left her (and many of the adults who are supposed to support her) convinced that Gwendolyn simply chooses to be "bad." The story is told from Gwendolyn's perspective and provides riveting insight into the emotions of a young person with sensory processing, executive function, and impulse control issues. Gwendolyn's mother, a recovering alcoholic, is also brilliantly rendered -- her love for and frustration with her daughter is palpable. Subplots covering atypical families, nonbinary young people, and the sexism baked in to both the medical profession and behavioral expectations are also covered.

One of my earliest memories is getting yelled at because I was excited about something and didn't notice I was interrupting a grown-up. I don't have sensory processing issues or ADHD to the extent that Gwen does in this story, but as a 'Letters friend', I can relate to a LOT of her journey, especially! her relief at finding out 'what she was', having a label - that can be huge! and so is learning, as Gwen also does, that it's all fluid! a diagnosis that initially seems helpful might not be so helpful four weeks later, and there's a need to find a new, better fitting one.
If you are neurodivergent or know someone who is or think you MIGHT maybe meet someone someday - this is a very important book for you to read

This book hit home more than I thought it would. Children have to navigate so much, all the time. They have to navigate a world guarded by adults so much older and wiser. Gwendolyn is such a spirited, bright child, constantly let down by everyone who is supposed to be on her side. Her mother, her teachers, her friends. Even herself.

There was a lot to love about this book, but it still managed to miss the mark for me. I was touched by the portrayal of Gwendolyn and Tyler's sibling bond; alienated half-sibling relationships aren't often seen in middle grade. I loved that uncomfortable topics were never shied away. They were apparent and obvious, ugly and beautiful all at the same time. However, the text tended to become preachy and ramble-y, especially during Gwendolyn's appointments with her therapist. There was also the frequent use of exclamation points. I wanted Gwendolyn's feeling to be shown, not just told. I'm hoping that the final version of the text will be more solidified. One of my favorite things about Carter's writing style is her effortless flow which started off so strong, but after awhile, just felt rushed.

While I love the message and thoroughly enjoyed reading Gwendolyn's journey (I may have ugly cried more than once), I can't say I would ever recommend this book to a child going through similar difficulty.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC.

As a mother of a neurodivergent child, I really connected with Fifty-Four Things Wrong With Gwendolyn Rogers by Caela Carter and it gave me greater insight into how things might have looked from my child's perspective.

Gwendolyn has sneakily read her IEP report and from it constructed a list of 54 things "wrong" with her and is feverishly trying to fix them so that she can attend horse camp with her brother Tyler in the coming weeks. But as with most neurodivergent children, she is not in control of many of her quirks and thus ends up in trouble more often than not. Gwendolyn and her mother work very hard independently and together to solve Glwendolyn's eccentricities and it isn't until they find the right counselor that they end up truly on the right path.

I loved Gwendolyn's voice, the truth in the relationship with her mother, the frustration inherent in finding a diagnosis for a neurodivergent child, and the supporting cast of characters. . This will definitely end up in my library when it comes out in October 2021.

Ok, let’s get to know Gwendolyn Rogers. It won’t take long as you begin to turn or swipe the pages of this oh so wonderful story of a chronically frustrated eleven-year-old girl. Gwendolyn is growing up not only, physically but also is coming into her own cognitive mental self. She comes to realize she has an undiagnosed mental health issue and tries every way possible to get control of her emotions.

As an avid reader of middle school literature I wasn’t familiar with this acclaimed author. I will be reading more by Caela Carter. Thank you Netgally for this exciting introduction into this excellent and necessary writing about a young girl and how her learning differences are neither right nor wrong... rather they are just Gwendolyn, perfectly individual.

The big problem is, no one can figure out what Gwendolyn Rogers's big problem is. Not her mom, or her teachers, or any of the many therapists she's seen. As a teacher myself, I know Mr. Olsen is put out with Gwendolyn and her issues in class, but still his treatment of her infuriated me. Gwendolyn knows she has problems. She has even written fifty-four things she sees as her problems... 2. Picky eater, 23. Talks too loud, 16. Sneaky, 13. Impulsive. You get the picture. Yes Gwenie has great insight into herself, but does she really?
At least, according to a confidential school report, that she happened to read and some of these very items were in her report!
Gwendolyn decides she needs a plan so she can better fit in to school and society. She feels that unless she can get the fifty-four things under control, she's not going to be able to go to horse camp this summer with her half-brother, Tyler.

But how can Tyler help her? He has only ONE thing "wrong" with him: ADHD. But there is a little blue pill that helps him. Why won’t the pills help her?

And then there is her best friend Hettie who can't help her because there's nothing wrong with Hettie. She's perfect. Well reader you know no one is perfect.

Her mom, is a single mother and she is just wonderful. She’s not perfect but her love for her daughter is perfect.

Still, Gwendolyn is feeling just hopeless. Who ot what will help Gwendolyn?

This book is filled with much love and heart and heartache. I truly enjoyed the writing style as I felt I was inside Gwendolyn’s head as she rawly shared her feelings, experiences and emotions.
You will find this child in every school.

Excellent book about how Gwen sees information from a report that lists 54 things that are wrong with her, and she begins to see not only does she have problems she is a problem to everyone. She tries hard and even with the help of her half+brother Tyler who has ADHD, she still can’t get it right or so she thinks. Finally, she remembers twelve things that helped her mom when she needed help. Can those twelve things help her too? As time passes and Gwen and mom see different therapists, Gwen realizes people don’t understand her because she is different, and she’s tired of trying to be good. Is there anything that can be done to help Gwen?

I loved this book! As a teacher and a mom of a son who went through a lot of what Gwendolyn did, this story touched my heart. The author wrote the characters of Gwendolyn, Hettie, Tyler and Gwen’s mom in such a real and relatable way. Especially the way Concerta and Adderal affected her personality...all so true and explained in such an understandable way. I also liked the way Gwendolyn talked about the Anger, Sadness, Confidence and Happiness within her. I can’t wait to buy a copy and share with my students. I could see this as a read aloud as well.

There are fifty-four things wrong with Gwendolyn and she can't figure out how to fix them. This story is really good at addressing ADHD and how people deal with it. I liked Gwen and how hard she worked to make herself feel better with all the things she deemed wrong.
It's a good look at growing older and figuring out life is about doing your best and being yourself.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for an e-ARC of this middle grade novel.

Gwen struggles in school, she struggles with friendships, and she struggles at home. She wants to do well, but no matter how hard she tries, the fifty-four things wrong with her continue to get in the way. She can't seem to please her teacher or her single mother, both of whom's love and understanding she craves. This is a wonderful novel that provides insight to teachers and other adults just how difficult every bit of a neurotypical child's day might be. This book will definitely be added to my classroom library to provide a "mirror" for some of my learners.

Fifty-Four Things Wrong with Gwendolyn Rogers
by Caela Carter
HarperCollins Children's Books
Quill Tree Books
Children's Fiction | Middle Grade
Pub Date 19 Oct 2021


I am reviewing a copy of Fifty-Four Things Wrong with Gwendolyn Rogers;



No one is sure what is wrong with Gwendolyn Rogers, not her mom, or her teachers, or any of the many therapists she has seen. Gwendolyn knows that she doesn’t have just one thing wrong with her, she has fifty four.


Gwendolyn has issues with anger management, irrational thoughts and fears, she struggles with focus.


According to the school report #13 says she is sneaky, #16 says she is impulsive. So Gwendolyn needs to come up with a plan to get these fifty four things she has to work on. Because if she doesn’t get them under control , she’s not going to be able to go to horse camp this summer with her half-brother, Tyler.


Tyler can’t help her though because there’s only one thing “wrong” with him: ADHD.



Her best friend Hattie can’t help her, because she’s perfect.



Gwendolyn feels hopeless until she remembers remembers the one thing that helped her mother when her own life was out of control. Or actually, the twelve things. Will the twelve steps that cured her Mother somehow cure Gwendolyn too?




I give Fifty-Four Things Wrong with Gwendolyn Rogers five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

Gwendolyn Rogers is an eleven year old girl who has 54 problems, accrding to her IEP. She really stresses over these things, but isn't really sure how to fix them all because it seems she is always bad. Getting angry. Being forgetful. Running when she should be going back to class. It's just that she can't focus sometimes and the thoughts in her head are overwhelming, and adults sure expect a lot out of her.
This book focuses on ADHD and how the thoughts of someone with ADHD can go a million places in the span of two minutes. What seems like laziness and inattentiveness to the adults around her are actually quite different in the mind of Gwendolyn. This book shows her journey through treatment and help for her ADHD.