DEAR STUDENT by Elly Swartz

 

Autumn is nervous about starting middle school. There will be lots of new students from the other elementary schools feeding into the larger middle school. Her best friend has moved to California leaving Autumn to look for someone new.

Autumn is also adjusting to her family's move to the small apartment above the vet clinic where her mother works. By family Autumn means her mother and her little sister, not her father. He is in Ecuador working for the Peace Corps. It's been over a year, and Autumn is beginning to worry that it might be permanent. She's trying to be brave and honor her father's instructions to "seize the day" and try to do one new thing in middle school.

After learning about all the clubs and sports in middle school, Autumn decides to apply to be the new Dear Student. It would mean being the secret advice columnist for the school's newspaper. Being shy and quiet she thinks she might be pretty good in the role. When Mr. Baker pulls her aside and tells her he has chosen her to be the new Dear Student, Autumn is thrilled.

Being Dear Student is challenging but fun until Autumn finds herself torn between two of her new friends. What if her advice helps one friend but hurts another? Can she stand up for what she believes is right or will she need to compromise her own feelings to spare those of someone else?

In DEAR STUDENT author Elly Swartz explores the difficulties of friendship and staying true to oneself. Readers will learn from Autumn's hard decisions as well as the sacrifices she observes others making. Perfect for fans of Swartz's GIVE AND TAKE.