#SoThatHappenedButMaybeYouAlreadyKnewThat #NetGalley

Loved this read.

The author captured young "Nutty's" perfectly from the way she described the physical anxiety felt with the fluttering in the stomach to the breathing exercises. She deftly addressed significant social issues like gender identity (as a youth, as an adult), acts of bigotry and racism (references to personal history and the Holocaust to modern ones, acts of violence against sacred spaces).

Fred was a secondary character but think his impact will be felt long after the book ends. I especially enjoyed Nutty's speech at the Bang Mitzvah. Books like these are important for our youth regardless if they are in the world. Learned quite a bit of Jewish culture and the nod to the "Nanny" was a nice touch.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Publisher Spotlight | Walker Books Australia, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank. you to Netgalley for the free arc!

I enjoyed reading a voice of an author that was unique for me-- a Jewish 12 year old girl (Nutty) who lives in Sydney, Australia. It was interesting to see what life is like for Jewish people in Australia, both in a modern family as well as with a grandmother who is a Holocaust survivor. Nutty's best friend (Aviva, now. Avi) was born a girl but currently does not identify as a boy or a girl. They do not like labels and prefers to go by their name, Avi. This book depicts what the year is like for Nutty as she prepares for her Bat Mitzvah (which turns into her Bang Mitzvah), how Avi is received by friends, family, and her classmates; Nutty's relationship with her Aunt Sarah who has secrets of her own, and how Nutty's Bubi navigates life in Australia after surviving the Holocaust. This book packs in a lot of interesting events and perspectives.

A cute read about Natalie, who lives in Sydney, Australia. There is a lot going on in this book! Natalie is preparing for her bat mitzvah, she is struggling to maintain her friendship with her best friend, and her family's financial difficulties force them to move. Natalie is, most of the time, a charming narrator and I felt bad that she couldn't seem to catch a break! I did find the use of "so that happened" a bit excessive, but I don't think a middle-grade reader would pick up on it. I adored Natalie's best friend, Ari, and I wish Natalie had mended their friendship sooner so Ari could play a larger role. But, for me, the star of this book was reading about Jewish life in Australia, and I appreciated the depiction of different types of Jewishness—Natalie's bubi survived the Holocaust. Jessica's family is more frum than Natalie's, Ari's family is Chinese-Jewish, etc. 3.5. stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"So That Happened...But Maybe You Already Knew That" was an enjoyable book set in Australia. Nutty is preparing for her big bat mitzvah, while also balancing friendships and family issues. I really enjoyed this book and it's easy to read for middle graders. However, one thing that kind of bothered me is that Nutty didn't really sound her age. What I mean by that is that she didn't know what basic things were, such as taxes, rent, and what the word "moving" meant. "Moving" meaning "oh, that painting is very moving". I personally feel like those are things that most 12-year-olds know. But maybe I'm wrong. Anyway, other than that, this book was very well-written. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.