LINUS AND ETTA COULD USE A WIN

A story about taking accountability for mistakes and showing up for loved ones, oneself included.

After coming out as transgender and surviving a family move to Ohio, Linus is looking forward to an eighth grade year spent out of the spotlight. He soon meets classmates Etta and Marigold, former best friends who are fighting over who will (or won’t) apply to Nova, a prestigious alternative high school. Etta’s long thought of Nova as her thing, and she’s upset that Marigold (who’s “got everything”) is now planning to apply as well. New kid Linus becomes the unknowing target of a bet: If he’s elected student council president, Marigold won’t apply to Nova after all. Linus doesn’t have any knowledge of or interest in any of this, but with encouragement from Etta and his crush, Marigold, he finds himself pulled along. The quickly paced, first-person chapters alternate between Linus’ and Etta’s perspectives, showcasing the authentic friendship that blossoms between the two and the guilt that builds as Etta’s plan (still unknown to Linus) unfolds—and is ultimately revealed. On top of that, Linus is learning to stand up for himself with his grandmother (who can’t seem to get his pronouns right) and his parents (who can’t seem to stick up for him). The characters’ sweet demeanors, lively dialogue, and ever-changing relationships will keep readers rooting for them until the book’s final pages. Central characters are cued white.

A tender story about moving through hurt and embracing uncertainty.