In Your Shoes by Donna Gephart - ESSENTIAL

In Your Shoes by Donna Gephart, 310 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2018. $17. 

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Miles loves bowling. His grandpop owns the town bowling alley. He and his friend Randall hit the lanes every day before school. He’s been hustling kids for years, saving up money to send his grandpop to the Bowling Hall of Fame. Amy is new in town. Her mom died of cancer recently so she’s living with her uncle in his funeral home while her dad is away taking classes. On Amy’s first day of school Miles’ bowling shoe hits her in the head. It can only be a sign that these two are meant to be.

At its core, this is a story about the power of friendship. Miles and Amy are great kids, but each is dealing with the loss of a loved one. Miles’ relationship with both his grandparents is poignant. I love that Amy gains the strength to help Miles despite her sadness. The bowling element adds something new to this sweet middle grade romance.

Valerie McEnroe, Media Specialist