Five Things About Ava Andrews [9780062803504]

Overview

A heartfelt and funny story about a shy eleven-year-old who learns to manage her anxiety through improv classes—and discovers her activist voice. From Margaret Dilloway, author of Summer of a Thousand Pies, and perfect for fans of Sharon Draper, Lynda Mullaly Hunt, and Holly Goldberg Sloan.

Eleven-year-old Ava Andrews has a Technicolor interior with a gray shell. On the inside, she bubbles with ideas and plans. On the outside, everyone except her best friend, Zelia, thinks she doesn’t talk or, worse, is stuck-up. What nobody knows is that Ava has invisible disabilities: anxiety and a heart condition.

Ava hopes middle school will be a fresh start, but when Zelia moves across the country and Ava’s Nana Linda pushes her to speak up about social issues, she withdraws further. So Ava is shocked when her writing abilities impress her classmates and they invite her to join their improv group, making up stories onstage. Determined to prove she can control her anxiety, she joins—and discovers a whole new side of herself, and what it means to be on a team.

But as Ava’s self-confidence blossoms, her relationship with Zelia strains, and she learns that it isn’t enough just to raise your voice—it’s how and why you use it that matters.

This coming-of-age story is a perfect read for any kid navigating the ups and downs of finding their place.

• Finding Your Voice: From shy and quiet to speaking up at community meetings, follow Ava’s journey as she uses the power of improv to express her Technicolor interior.
• Anxiety and Invisible Disability: A sensitive and honest portrayal of a girl managing social anxiety and a heart condition, offering readers a window into what it’s like to have a disability no one can see.
• Making New Friends: When her best friend moves away, Ava must navigate the terrifying world of middle school on her own—until her improv team shows her the true meaning of support.
• Heartfelt and Funny: Packed with laugh-out-loud moments and touching scenes, this story beautifully balances the challenges of growing up with the joy of self-discovery.
• Community Activism for Kids: Discover what happens when Ava and her friends decide it’s not enough to just have a voice—you have to use it to fight for the people and places you love.