When the Walkers move in next door, Violet makes friends with all five kids, especially quiet, bird-watching Reggie, who will also be entering seventh grade. However, she’s stung when she hears Mrs. Walker call her mother, who has anxiety, “a little strange” and warn Reggie not to go to Violet’s house. Violet is a keen observer, especially of adults. As Reggie opens up to her about the way his mother tries to force him to be more like the rest of the family, she realizes that Mrs. Walker isn’t as perfect as she seems. When there’s an accident, it’s Violet’s mother who sees that Reggie has the strength to be himself—perhaps the most difficult challenge of all, especially in middle school. This quiet, spare novel focuses on a relatable situation: Violet wrestles with whether she should try to fit in with her old best friend Katie and Katie’s new friends or be true to herself and her friendship with Reggie—even if Reggie’s mom doesn't approve of Violet's family. Violet's conflict actually mirrors Mrs. Walker’s own, and both realize that it's more important to be yourself (or allow others to be themselves) than to try to fit into a mold. Violet is described as having fuzzy brown hair; two of the Walker sisters are described as blond.
Source:kirkusreviews
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