Publishers Weekly
★ 10/23/2023
After reading online that having a routine can help alleviate anxiety, nonbinary 13-year-old Shai Stern is determined to implement their “new-normal plan” to get their life under control in this luminous read. Forgoing homeschool and starting in-person eighth grade is the first step in their strategy. But entering public school means big life changes, including Shai’s leaving behind their Indigenous best friend Moose to remote learning, realizing that they’re being placed in ninth grade classes, and reckoning with the fact that cute lesbian Edie—their student guide—assumes that Shai is a girl. Suddenly, nothing is going to plan: their massive crush on Edie, an important school project about Shai’s Jewish ancestry, and the growing distance between Shai and Moose triggers Shai’s anxiety, and the painful urge to pick at their arms. Via sensitive depictions of Shai’s skin picking, as well as sincere prose that yields richly developed characters, relationships, and interactions, Sass (Ellen Outside the Lines) captures the tension and dread of grappling with a hidden illness during a tumultuous transition. Shai’s learning to manage their own challenges is palpably wrought, as is their burgeoning understanding that they’re not the only one with burdens—and that their presence is a balm for those experiencing troubles of their own. Ages 8–12. Agent: Jordan Hamessley, JABberwocky Literary Agency. (Jan.)
From the Publisher
Praise for Ellen Outside the Lines: A Sydney Taylor Honor Book A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year A Booklist’s 2022 Editors’ Choice Book
* "A heartwarming and inviting book about finding self that hits at the ever-changing (and challenging) world of middle school. Recommended for all middle grade shelves."—SLJ, starred review
* "Sass' sophomore novel shines in its nuanced characterizations, subversion of stereotypes, and world that celebrates autism for the joy it brings Ellen when they are happily flapping. A tender, sweet coming-of-age story."—Booklist, starred review
"The story’s beautiful locales and scavenger hunt puzzles frame a heartwarming story about a transitional period in life, conveyed alongside an affirming, incidental portrayal of Ellen’s experiences."—Publishers Weekly
"The amazing-to-imagine school trip provides an appealing backdrop, but it is the story’s interpersonal aspects that are especially welcome."—The Horn Book
Praise for Ana on the Edge:A Booklist Editor's Choice Title An ALA Rainbow Book List Top Ten Title for Younger Readers "Sass has created dynamic, original characters who are believable and fun to follow… You can’t help rooting for Ana."
—New York Times Book Review
"Heartfelt, nuanced and engaging, Ana on the Edge is both an insider's look at the world of competitive figure skating and a sensitive exploration of the protagonist's nonbinary identity. Highly recommended." — Barbara Dee, award-winning author of Maybe He Just Likes You and My Life in the Fish Tank
"A lovely, necessary story of self-discovery and friendship."—Ashley Herring Blake, author of Stonewall Honor book Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World
"Ana on the Edge is a poignant exploration of the importance of being seen for who you are. Ana will glide into your heart and open your mind to the richness of the full gender spectrum." — Ami Polonsky, award-winning author of Gracefully Grayson and Spin With Me
"Sass's gorgeous debut fills a much needed void on LGBTQ+ middle grade shelves." — Nicole Melleby, award-winning author of Hurricane Season
* "Sass masterfully balances Ana's passion for competitive figure skating with her journey to coming out...sensitive and realistic." — Booklist, starred review
"Sass renders scenes on and off the ice with vivid descriptions, and writes nuanced, layered portrayals of characters."—Publishers Weekly
"The tone of the story remains hopeful as [Ana] works toward a new understanding of herself. The personal connection of the author, himself a figure skater who identifies as nonbinary, to the story is evident within its pages in both the nuances of figure skating and Ana's interrogation of gender."—The Horn Book
"Vulnerable and affirming."—Kirkus Reviews
"Diane Chen gives a moving performance as Ana Jin, a tween figure skater whose discomfort with a new princess-themed skating program forces Ana to realize she's nonbinary. Chen's most remarkable skill is their ability to take listeners on an emotional journey. Throughout, Chen gives this important story the emotional landscape it deserves."
—AudioFile
School Library Journal
12/01/2023
Gr 4 Up—Thirteen-year-old Shai has a plan to create a new normal; come out as nonbinary, get a haircut that expresses who they are, attend public school, and stop picking at their arms. Ever since their mom lost her job during the pandemic, Shai has been picking the hairs on their arm and wearing arm sleeves to cover the scars it leaves behind. They believe that going from homeschooling to public school will provide the distraction they need to stop picking. As Shai makes new friends and their relationship with an old one evolves, they learn that no matter how strong you are, sometimes you need support. Shai's struggles sharing their identity with friends, and the growing pains experienced as relationships change will resonate with readers. Shai has a strong support system of adults who care for them, including their mom, mom's best friend, and grandparents. A class project also leads Shai to investigate their family's roots in Judaism and why their mom no longer practices the religion. The potential for romance with a classmate who identifies as a lesbian brings up further conversations on the relationship between gender and sexuality. VERDICT Shai's struggles with identity, anxiety, first love, and faith will resonate with middle grade and young adult readers. A recommended purchase for all secondary school collections.—Ashley Leffel
Kirkus Reviews
2023-10-21
When a genderfluid 13-year-old attempts to handle a health crisis by creating a “new normal” routine for themself, things don’t go according to plan.
Shai Stern, who is white and experiences sound sensitivity, started picking at the hair on their arms during the pandemic after their mom lost her job, and the two moved in with family friends to save money. To keep their picking a secret, they’ve been wearing fashionable arm sleeves designed and sewn by best friend and housemate Moose, who’s Kanien’Kehá:ka, and they believe that switching from home schooling to public school will help them manage and resolve the picking issue on their own before anyone notices. But this change in education carries unanticipated stressors, including Shai’s being identified as gifted and moved up a grade, grappling over coming out at school, and navigating changing relationships with loved ones new and old. When a class assignment gives Shai an opportunity to deepen their understanding of their Jewish heritage and family history, even more questions and uncertainties arise, and the pressure builds. A hopeful but not-too-tidy resolution depicts Shai addressing their challenges and relying on a support network of caring and well-developed secondary characters. The Wisconsin setting is authentically portrayed, and Shai’s tenderhearted first-person voice will keep readers rooting for them until the book’s final pages.
Moving and memorable. (author’s note, resources) (Fiction. 8-14)
