Write This Down

There are two things that seventh-grader Autumn wants: to become a published writer and for her older brother, Hunter, to go back to being “the best brother in the world.” Ever since starting 10th grade and joining a band, he’s been mean to both Autumn and their parents, who worry about his grades and attitude. When Hunter makes fun of Autumn’s poem about her crush in front of his musician friends, he goes too far. Autumn vents her feelings by writing an essay about how Hunter has changed for the worse and entering it in a contest. When it wins first prize, she must decide whether to accept the award and humiliate her brother when the essay is published, or spare Hunter and give up her chance to see her writing in print. In a believable slice-of-life story, Mills (the Nora Notebooks series) writes eloquently of sibling rivalry, dreams turned sour, hard choices, and the insecurities that come with entering adolescence. Readers, especially younger siblings and budding writers, will easily identify with Autumn’s plights. Ages 10–12. Agent: Stephen Fraser, Jennifer De Chiara Literary. (Sept.)