I received an ARC of this middle grade book. It is well written about the struggles of 6th grade and navigating friendships. Family dynamics affecting school friends. Challenges of emotions and fitting in with different groups. Harry, Juniper, and Dee deal with complex issues. Perfect for the beginning of the school year.

This charming debut middle grade novel follows Dee as she navigates sixth grade by secretly giving advice to classmates while hiding in the bathroom. Through her unexpected role as a confidante, Dee learns about friendship and finding her own place in the world. I would definitely recommend this book to my library patrons and can see young readers loving it for its heartfelt and relatable story.

Dee struggles to make sense of everything that is going on in her life. Things are complicated at home, at school… but finds she has good advice to share when it comes up through the vent in the bathroom. Who is leaving notes? What is going on with Juniper? Harry?
This intriguing story brings out the power of voice.
(While the end did try to wrap things up in a positive way, I still felt uneasy with the mom… I felt Dee had to accept too much about the mom without any reprieve for herself.)

Dee is such a wonderful chat with such a giving heart. She is trying to find her place as friendships change.
I liked how she helps multiple people.
I didn't love her home life situation, but I liked that she has ways to get through it.
This is such a great book for any student struggling with friendship changes and life changes.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

This book is exactly what the title says, such a beautiful, sad, happy, honest book. A great book for middle grade readers to learn empathy. I didn’t want it to end!

What a wonderful book about finding yourself and friendship. Dee finds her best friend is not as friendly as she used to be now that she’s hanging out with a new group of friends. One day while in the bathroom she and Harry talk through the bathroom grates. Word gets around that Dee is good at giving advice in the bathroom, and when Dee hears someone say they think she’s awesome Dee doesn’t feel so alone. Dee is beginning to realize she’s better at helping others even if she doesn’t like talking about herself. When someone says Dee is having inappropriate conversations in the bathroom, the principal wants to talk to Dee. What happens then?