Stocker, Shannon. Stronger at the Seams. Blink, 2024, 978-0-310-16235-1. $18.99. 288 p. Grades 6-9.

Twyla is entering high school excited for the next four years, but when she starts to feel extremely nauseous and get chronic headaches her father takes her to the doctor. What is passed off as constipation only continues to get worse. Twyla doesn’t want to be benched from the field hockey field so she tries her best to hide her symptoms from her family and friends. Her symptoms continue to worsen, yet no one is listening to her, so she decided to take matters into her own hands and research her symptoms herself.

THOUGHTS: What a beautiful, yet heartbreaking read. Stocker did a phenomenal job bringing to light the difficult yet necessary nature of advocating for yourself and grieving a parent. This would be a phenomenal read for any student who may struggle to advocate for themselves and their needs.

Realistic Fiction