This book had me hooked from the start—family drama, a library funding battle, and a heartfelt LGBTQIA+ story all wrapped into one. Mountain Upside Down follows 13-year-old Alex Eager as she navigates big changes: her best friend-turned-girlfriend is moving away, her beloved grandmother is becoming more forgetful, and the town’s library (a place that means everything to her) is at risk of losing its funding.

I loved how this story balances humor with real, emotional depth. It’s not just about Alex figuring out who she is, but also about community, family, and the importance of libraries in small towns. Plus, it’s refreshing to read a queer-positive middle-grade book where coming out isn’t the focus.

If you love stories about family, friendship, and fighting for what matters, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Thank you to Sara Ryan, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Dutton Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I really can't imagine how more perfectly timed the release of this novel could possibly be. The audience of middle grade readers needs to see representation for LGBTQIA+ and understand advocacy for the libraries that bring access to that representation and this book is a pathway to both.

I really appreciated the story from an adult perspective and could see reading this book as a teen book club pick. Having discourse on this book with tweens, teens and adults could lead to a wide conversation and unpacking of the issues that are all too real in the U.S. right now.

In regards to the story, I love that Sara was able to touch on topics like aging, love is love and library funding without sounding heavy handed.