Jennifer Maschari

Emily and best friend Hazel are about to start middle school. Hazel is excited about all the new things middle school will bring, while Emily just wants things to stay the same. As their first year of middle school progresses, Emily and Hazel drift apart. Emily's older sister arrives home from an anorexia treatment facility, causing stress for Emily and her family. Will anything stay like it used to be for Emily? Can Emily survive all the changes?

Wow, I absolutely loved this book. Did author Jennifer Maschari write about my adolescence? Emily thought she could deal with all the stresses by herself, not letting anyone in. She thought her problems were nothing compared to her older sisters' problem. I was the same way as a child. This book captured what I believe a lot of tween children deal with. THINGS THAT SUPRISE YOU is a wonderful reflection/mirror for many middle-grade readers or those of us who used to be middle grade! I highly recommend this book for grades four and up.… (meer)