Will on the Inside

by Andrew Eliopulos Narrated by André Santana

Overview

After dedicated soccer player Will is sidelined from the season-and his friend group-due to complications from his newly diagnosed Crohn's disease, he finds himself figuring out who he really is on the inside in this heartfelt and thoughtful middle grade novel that's perfect for readers who love books by Maulik Pancholy and Christine Day.*

Will loves playing center midfield on his middle school soccer team. This year, though, Will hasn't felt like himself; his stomach has been bothering him, and he has no energy at all. When his new doctor diagnoses him with Crohn's disease, Will hopes that means he'll start feeling better soon and he can get back to playing with his team before the season ends.

But Will's new medicines come with all kinds of side effects, Forced to sit out afternoon practice, Will finds himself hanging out with a kid at school, Griffin. This could be a real problem, seeing as Griffin just asked Will's best friend to the spring dance. As in, guy friend. What would Will's teammates say if they knew the whole story? Not to mention Will's friends at church.

With all these changes happening faster than he can process them, Will knows that he has a lot to figure out about who he really is on the inside.**

Andrew Eliopulos's novel is a memorable, affecting story that will have wide appeal.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Editorial Reviews

AUGUST 2023 - AudioFile

André Santana flawlessly re-creates gentle Will's school and home life in Oakwood, Georgia--where everyone knows everyone whether they're students, jocks, or gamers. Will begins to feel exhausted and nauseous after playing soccer; soon he's diagnosed with Crohn's disease. The story's superbly rendered first-person viewpoint draws in listeners as it reveals Will's relationships with his family members, classmates, and church community. Descriptive doctor visits and embarrassing symptoms are heartbreaking and may be familiar to some. Will is Santana's standout character; a close second is Griffin, who introduces Will to the joys of playing Mirror Realm on video. When Will observes his teammates' homophobia, he questions his life and his relationships. There are no easy answers, but this beguiling audiobook speaks to kids, parents, and others. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

Publishers Weekly

★ 05/08/2023

Based on lived experience, Eliopulos (The Fascinators) presents an honest, sophisticated look at the myriad emotions surrounding chronic illness and growing up “not straight” in a religious Georgia town. When his recent Crohn’s disease diagnosis forces him to step back from his soccer team, seventh grader Will McKeachie worries he’ll lose his “built-in friend group,” including best friend Henry. While waiting for medication to curb his symptoms, Will escapes the uncomfortable attention of sympathetic acquaintances via an online fantasy video game that he plays with classmate Griffin Miller, who’s similarly avoiding the spotlight after enduring homophobic bullying following his publicly asking Henry to the school dance. When Will realizes he’s attracted to Griffin, memories of the history of his soccer teammates’ own homophobic bullying prompt Will to suppress his romantic feelings. His worsening Crohn’s symptoms, coupled with emotionally charged conversations surrounding sexuality both at school and in his Baptist youth group, exacerbate his fears that people like Griffin—and maybe Will himself—will never be accepted. Eliopulos forges a hopeful tone through conversational first-person narration, multifaceted friendships, and a familial church community striving toward inclusivity, even as the narrative confronts the psychological impact of homophobia and religious trauma on queer youth. Main characters cue as white. Resources conclude. Ages 8–12. (June)

From the Publisher

"Based on lived experience, Eliopulos (The Fascinators) presents an honest, sophisticated look at the myriad emotions surrounding chronic illness and growing up “not straight” in a religious Georgia town. Eliopulos forges a hopeful tone through conversational first-person narration, multifaceted friendships, and a familial church community striving toward inclusivity, even as the narrative confronts the psychological impact of homophobia and religious trauma on queer youth." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Relatable, real, and utterly ­engrossing, Eliopulos’s writing will have readers hooked from the get-go. Life in a middle school, a new disease diagnosis, and sexual identity are the common themes of this coming-of-age novel. A first purchase for all libraries where unforgettable reads are sought." — School Library Journal (starred review)

"Character-driven with a much-conflicted narrator, this brings a conversational tone and a gentle approach to difficult topics while still clearly depicting the conflict of Will’s frustration and discomfort. Readers will appreciate the variety of perspectives from the people in Will’s life and the empathetic narrator at the helm; the reality the story reflects will reach a broad swath of readers, from jocks to gaming nerds to those exploring religion." — Booklist

"The story takes an intersectional approach that avoids the perils of making Will’s disease and queerness lessons; his identities blend into each other in organic ways. But what is captured here most compellingly are the struggles of developing a chronic illness at a young age, borne from Eliopulos’ own experiences: the gulf between friends before and after diagnosis, well-meaning concern that becomes patronization, and rarely described specific frustrations of navigating a healthy world as a sick kid. As Will’s reality changes, he remains—and becomes—fully himself. Warm and nuanced." — Kirkus Reviews

AUGUST 2023 - AudioFile

André Santana flawlessly re-creates gentle Will's school and home life in Oakwood, Georgia--where everyone knows everyone whether they're students, jocks, or gamers. Will begins to feel exhausted and nauseous after playing soccer; soon he's diagnosed with Crohn's disease. The story's superbly rendered first-person viewpoint draws in listeners as it reveals Will's relationships with his family members, classmates, and church community. Descriptive doctor visits and embarrassing symptoms are heartbreaking and may be familiar to some. Will is Santana's standout character; a close second is Griffin, who introduces Will to the joys of playing Mirror Realm on video. When Will observes his teammates' homophobia, he questions his life and his relationships. There are no easy answers, but this beguiling audiobook speaks to kids, parents, and others. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

2023-04-12
Newly diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, Will McKeachie has an explanation for his stomach issues and pain but a new set of problems.

A passionate center midfielder, he is heartbroken about an enforced break from soccer. Twelve-year-old Will soon becomes friends with Griffin Miller, a gay classmate who loves theater and video games, and begins to develop new interests and perspectives as he navigates his illness. He also faces issues he hadn’t previously encountered: recognizing that his friends veer into bullying and disregard his needs and questioning his own sexuality. Thoughtful, introverted Will’s first-person narration is often funny and takes time examining his daily life. His Georgia town and his Baptist church, in which his family is heavily involved, are realistic in their bigotry, but the people around Will are largely decent even when they fail in their intentions. The story takes an intersectional approach that avoids the perils of making Will’s disease and queerness lessons; his identities blend into each other in organic ways. But what is captured here most compellingly are the struggles of developing a chronic illness at a young age, borne from Eliopulos’ own experiences: the gulf between friends before and after diagnosis, well-meaning concern that becomes patronization, and rarely described specific frustrations of navigating a healthy world as a sick kid. As Will’s reality changes, he remains—and becomes—fully himself. Main characters read White.

Warm and nuanced. (author’s note, resources) (Fiction. 8-12)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940175828055
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	06/06/2023
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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