Since her dad’s sudden death, 12 year old Meg does all the errands (Mom’s depression is so deep) and suffers panic attacks at school.
Moving to a new Australian town and getting used to her new insulin pump has been no fun for Riley at all.
As 6th grade winds down, the two girls find themselves in the nurse’s office together more and more often. Jelly beans there help Riley when her blood sugar drops and can be the only breakfast Meg has – small things, small steps toward understanding.
Will Meg’s mom ever be able to leave their house again?
Will Riley’s diabetes keep her from doing fun things forever?
What will either of them write for their graduation speech, due in just a few days!?
Told in alternating voices by Meg and Riley, as they negotiate stresses at home, not being understood by their classmates, and anticipating junior high.
How do you help friends with medical needs in tactful ways?
**kmm
Book info: It All Begins With Jelly Beans / Nova Weetman. Margaret K. McElderry Books/ Simon & Schuster, 2021, paperback 2022. [author site] [publisher site] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.
That sounds like an interesting book. The difference being the Australian angle. It’s surprising how similar sounding stories take on whole different meaning when the country context comes into play.
I’m rambling now, sorry 🙂
Jemima
I now want to look for this one. Thanks for sharing.