SPOILERS AHOY: This one was....odd? Eric, a nerdy Jewish kid with a history of experiencing bullying, is best friends with Dani, a baseball-obsessive who has struggled with feeling understood since the death of her grandmother and has recently become the first girl to get onto an all-male children's baseball team. Dani's baseball dreams are cut short, however, when she is seriously injured in a fire while sleeping in Eric's family's camper (something Eric physically drags her out of, but apparently no one is that impressed by a pre-teen running into the fire to save a friend). There's a few brief chapters where Eric somewhat inexplicably decides he is at fault for the explosion because he may have left the camper stove on overnight (which, last I checked, would still be an accident) and his parents for some equally inexplicable reason both half go along with the story and allow him to share it with both Dani and Dani's parents. It is quickly revealed that Eric did not, in fact, leave the stove on and the fire was the result of a faulty battery-operated toy. Dani still blames Eric, in part because she is now under the influence of a mean popular girl (because of course every MG novel has to have one of those), and allows her new "friend" to publicly humiliate Eric multiple times. Eric, for his part, becomes friends with his crush only to discover his new friend, while seemingly genuinely interested in Eric, is giving in to pressure from her parents to use Eric's experience as fodder for her private school (and eventually college?) application essays. Ultimately the two friends reunite and are able to get the defective toy recalled. While the story is theoretically about Eric and Dani, indeed every other chapter is narrated by one or the other, the story feels weirdly focused on everyone but them. Dani's sections focus primarily on her new friend while Eric's are regularly handed over to tertiary characters. As a result the overall novel feels shallow and somewhat trapped in the chosen narrative structure (a two-narrator story that swaps narrators every chapter). There's also something a bit...icky, I suppose, about the characterization of girls throughout the story. The girls in the story are almost universally selfish (including Dani) while the boys are given more dimension (even Eric's bully is given an excuse for his behavior, as he is revealed to be subject to extreme verbal abuse from his elder brother). While the boys aren't lionized there's something judgemental and unkind about the depiction of middle school girls which feels uncomfortable from a female author.

Dani and Eric are longtime friends until an accident comes between them. Alternating between the two friends who narrate the short chapters, the author does an amazing job of taking the reader into the hearts of both characters. I expect many readers to latch onto this book!

Elly Swartz has such a gift for bringing readers to the heart of her stories. At the heart of this story are questions of forgiveness, truth, love, and acceptance.
Dani and Eric have been best friends for forever, but when a terrible accident happens, their friendship is damaged by lies, rumors, and betrayal. Told from both points of view, readers can see into the hearts of both of these hurting middle-schoolers, and will see through some of the influences of other friends.
What I loved: incredible VOICE for both characters; supportive adults; well-developed secondary characters; gender nonconformity (Dani is the only girl on her school's baseball team; Eric loves donuts, superheroes, and his little sister).
Eric is depicted as having ADHD though it is never named or officially diagnosed. I had hoped this might be at least a discussion with an adult, since he is often criticized for his messiness and forgetfulness. I loved that he began to see himself as a leader, but also wanted to see him validated more by the adults in his life.
Overall, I loved this book and look forward to adding it to my library! Thanks to @NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the digital advanced copy!

This book was great. I loved the alternating narrators, they made the story so much more interesting and suspenseful. There was so much emotion, and I kept switching sides! It was beautifully written. I can't wait for others to read it!!

Elly Swartz’s newest middle grade novel. Hidden Truths, is a heartfelt journey into the minds of two protagonists. Writing from alternate perspectives, readers meet Dani and Eric. They will touch the hearts, minds, and souls of anyone who devours the pages like I did! Themes of friendship and identity are prevalent as the story unfolds. We all have hidden truths, and it is up to each individual what they share. Consequences can happen as we learn with Dani and Eric. For educators or parents looking for a window into middle grade students dealing with change, learning how to apologize, and finding their super power this book is for you! Thank you Elly for putting this book into the universe. It is a must read! Thank you to Net Galley and Elly Swartz for a preview of this gem!

Another great title from Elly Swartz. I appreciate how she includes the typical tween issues of friendship changes, insecurity, and identity along with neurodiverse characters. This will be popular with fans of her previous titles.

Really enjoyed this coming of age middle grade novel from author Elly Swartz.

Dani and Eric are best friends whose lives change forever with a terrifying accident.

They way they deal with injuries, mental health, siblings, bullies, and school is very real and gratifying to read. I enjoyed seeing them both grow into themselves and be true to their own hearts.

Dani and Eric have been best friends since second grade. Now, going into 6th grade, something tragic happens that pushes them away from each other. They each will have to go on their own journey of self discovery to decide what really matters.

This is a story that is perfect for middle grade readers as the “pre-teen angst” the characters experience is something that most kids can relate to. The characters are well written and it’s easy to visualize the scenes panning out. It’s “real” in little ways that matter, such as Eric picking up clothes from the floor and giving them the sniff test but then making sure to wear deodorant and body spray.

This would be a great novel for a teacher to use for class discussions as there are many things that the characters are experiencing, such as loss, bullying, and dealing with guilt.

This was my first novel by this author and I’m looking forward to checking out more of her work.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #RandomHouseChildren’sBooks for an eARC of #HiddenTruths by #EllySwartz - 4 stars

There is so much to love about this book! Dani just made the all boys baseball team, and she can't wait to begin the season. However, when Dani goes on an annual camping trip with her best friend Eric, something happens that can ruin her baseball dreams as well as her friendship with Eric. Through many trials and tribulations, I love how the main characters, Dani and Eric, find their way back to each other (with a little guidance from the adults in their lives!) This story is such an important story for kids to read…my fifth graders are at the point where they’re constantly making, building, testing, destroying and rebuilding friendships. This story will help kids navigate their friendships. I love how Elly has a way of making her stories sound so authentic, mixing in so many other little pieces...like the Red Sox references, Cape Cod, Eric’s growth in his confidence, cookies, cookies, and more cookies, and how Dani calls her grandmother Gigi. Finally, I loved Elly's acknowledgments…especially about her boys!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hidden Truths is a great book for middle graders that focuses on themes of bullying, friendship, grief, and overcoming obstacles. Dani and Eric have been friends for what seems like forever. Dani is "over the moon" since she is the first girl to earn a spot pitching for the boy's baseball team. However, that all changes in an instant. Will their friendship be able to withstand this obstacle? What harm will social media make to their already struggling friendship? How does bullying come into play?
I highly recommend this book for your middle grade student. There are so many great discussions that could stem from this book.

Dani made the formerly all-boys baseball team at school and she's ready to pitch! Sharing the celebration is her lifelong best friend, Eric, and his family. Now it's summertime, and Eric's family is off to the Cape in the RV. During the night, there's an accident, leaving Dani unable to do the one thing she has dreamed of forever - pitch for the team.

Eric feels bad for Dani, especially because he might have caused the accident. Did he? Determined to find the truth, Eric is caught up in hiding the perceived facts until he can prove what really happened. But people talk and rumors spread. Eric hasn't always been reliable in the past, and he forgets things easily. As the two head back to school, Dani wants to get on with her life - without Eric. She makes a new friend who is popular and seems to understand Dani's physical and emotional pain. In the meantime, Eric teams up with Rachel, a fellow student who can help him research the case and prove the accident was not his fault. Or was it? Everyone has something at stake.

This story is told from alternating points of view, with the reader finding out the hidden truths along the way. It's up to the characters to do what they can to move on, though, and cheering for them is not enough. Readers will love discovering the facts as the story moves, and each chapter brings another lie to light that needs to be sorted out. Readers will also enjoy advocating for the characters, who need to be brave and do things they normally wouldn't do to make things right, such as using social media for good reasons.

This is a MUST-READ for fall! Teachers should read this book aloud with their classes and librarians should add this title to their shelves. Recommended for ages 9 and up. A great family read, too.

5 Stars!

A great middle grade that covers a broad range of important topics. Elly captured that feeling of two characters growing up and then growing apart at that early teen age. Dani was a star… her passion for her baseball and her drive to be the first girl on the team was inspirational. Eric won my heart his emotions I really resonated with and I think kids will feel seen in both characters.

A great book that sheds light on an ending to a friendship, navigating new friends, bully’s and standing up for what is right.

This book deals with so much, it’s going to be great for so many students! The feelings and confusing emotions were so real. I can’t wait to share this one with my students!

Hidden Truths is a heavy book about guilt, truth, responsibility; and also compassion and forgiveness. Eric saved Dani from a fire- but he may have also caused it. Coming to terms with hard things, owning up.

Being a middle schooler is tough on a friendship, but Dani and Eric find their friendship pushed to the limits when their lives are disrupted by a traumatic event. I loved that this book is told from the alternating viewpoints of two friends who care deeply about one another but can't reconcile how much they care with the blame and guilt they are experiencing. This story and the characters Elly Swartz has created are realistic and will appeal to any middle grade reader who finds their friendships and identity being tested by the challenges of adolescence.

Elly Swartz does it again with another amazing book. Two best friends, Dani and Eric, are on their annual weekend camping trip when there’s an explosion. Eric rescues Dani who winds up in the hospital with many injuries. Dani is angry and frustrated because she finally made the boys baseball team, and now she may not be able to play. Eric feels guilty because thinks he caused the fire. A popular mean girl becomes friends with Dani and Eric feels left out. He wants to make it right with Dani and needs to know what caused the fire. As things worsen with Dani and Eric, Eric finds a solution. Will it help mend their friendship?

Elly Swartz has created a dual perspective story of friendship, activism, and overcoming adversity., combined with rich character development and a love of baseball.

Hidden Truths was fantastic! Elly Swartz created a spot-on middle school friendship! I loved seeing how both main characters dealt with their truths. Students will identify with Eric and Dani immediately, and hopefully, they will analyze their own friendships in real life. I'm excited to add this one to our collection.

Thank you to Random House Children's Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

In this great middle grade novel we have two best friends, Dani and Eric. There is a tragic accident that happens and they have to try to see their friendship through it I liked that Dani is a girl who is great at sports and wants nothing more than to continue playing them. And Eric is a boy who loves crossword puzzles, and knows when he needs space. I also liked the Jewish representation.
They both have very supportive families, that really help them express and be who they are. Their families also are there to support them as they can through what is happening.
The big take away from this book though is that sometimes things happen and we have to deal with new feelings that come with that. And that speaking up is the best way to resolve feelings.
This will be a good read for upper elementary or middle school kids.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC

I loved this story! The characters were easy to connect to, the story was believable, and the ending was poignant. This will definitely make its way to my classroom library shelf once it is published!