Never Evers

Gr 4–8—Mouse has just been kicked out of ballet school and sent back to her old school partway through the year. Jack is the talk of his school for his band's performance at the talent show—or rather, lack thereof. Stage fright got the better of him and now he and Mouse are both suffering from low self-confidence. Neither of them realize this about the other when each of their schools organizes a ski trip to the same resort and they meet. Beyond trying to fit in, it seems like everyone in the seventh grade is trying to get their first kiss amid catty drama, fear of rejection, trying not to fall off a mountain, and accidentally becoming friends with the hottest pop singer. This is a light middle grade tale that perfectly captures the struggle to be brave in face of crushed dreams and dreamy crushes. It is a quick read detailing a week-long adventure with alternating viewpoints.