BAD CHEERLEADER

Twelve-year-old Margaret, who’s nicknamed “Bag,” has a secret: She’s dyslexic.

When Bag discovers that her sister, Minerva, is also hiding something, Bag is determined to figure out what it is. To do that, she must do the impossible—join the cheerleading squad with Minerva. What starts out as helping with equipment quickly turns into attaining a coveted spot at the top of the squad’s pyramid. The author deftly captures the discomfort of being viewed as different in middle school. Bag’s dyslexia doesn’t stop her from enjoying books and reading, but she hides her diagnosis—and her fears of being seen as unintelligent or not good enough—behind fake glasses that she believes make her “look smart.” The sibling dynamic is realistically depicted: The girls are sometimes close, sometimes antagonistic, sometimes protective of each other, and sometimes incredulous that they could have come from the same parents. The story also explores parental substance abuse. Minerva, who’s 13, has knowledge of their father’s addiction that Bag lacks; Minerva’s experiences spur her actions, while Bag’s motivation seems to stem more from their father’s leaving and her desire for him to come home. Throughout, first-person narrator Bag shares ideas under “Random Thought” headings. This fun narrative technique emphasizes various points, and all the Random Thoughts appear at the end, organized according to the Dewey Decimal System. Main characters are cued white.

A satisfying, character-driven story that explores secrets and sisterhood.