Getting lost in the woods is a lot like being in middle school. It's easy to lose your bearings, to forget where you came from, and who your most trusted travelling companions are. In Melissa Dassori's eagerly anticipated second novel, GRETA EVER AFTER, Greta Starr, 7th grader and budding journalist, learns the hard way that shortcuts don't always save you time, and that a fairy tale ending is not all it's cracked up to be.
A wonderful contemporary tale infused with a touch of magic and wonder, this is the perfect read for middle grade readers to get lost in!

Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown/Christy Ottaviano Books for the opportunity to read an EArc!

Coming-of-age meets fairy tale in Melissa Dassori's charming second novel, GRETA EVER AFTER.

Seventh grader Greta Starr is struggling to find herself. Her friends seem to have it all figured out, but Greta hasn't yet determined what her niche might be. Is it the middle school newspaper? This year's musical? Add to those everyday worries the fact that the clock Greta received for her birthday from a relative in Germany turns out to be inhabited by a magical doll named Lulu. Perhaps Lulu will help solve Greta's problems... or perhaps she'll only create bigger ones. For as Greta observes... there's something a little 'Grimm' about Lulu.

Fairy tale magic is expertly sprinkled over the real-world magic (and mayhem) of middle school friendships and first crushes in this clever exploration of the tightrope walk of growing up. It's a perfect balance for middle grade readers, who have one foot in childhood and one foot in the grown-up world.

The newspaper headlines that flash through Greta's mind are shared with the reader to great effect, and the messages in the school musical (Sondheim's Into the Woods) are a pitch-perfect parallel to Greta's story. Young readers will see themselves lovingly drawn in Greta as she navigates the perilous waters of middle school.

Hooray for this second magic-tinged contemporary from Dassori!

My thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown / Christy Ottaviano Books for the eARC.

Middle Grade perfection! Cleverly told, this story has friendship struggles, self-created problems, a bit of magic and whimsy, plus the undercurrent of the "grimmer" side of fairy tales. I related to Greta thinking in headlines and enjoyed watching her foray into journalism. I loved it!