Slouch

At almost 5’10”, seventh grader Stephanie “Stevie” Crumb feels like a “freakish giant” and is tired of people commenting on her height, getting bullied at school for her ill-fitting clothes, and attracting unwanted (and scary) attention from older men while she rides the Brooklyn subway with her bestie Arianna. Yet at home, Stevie’s parents prioritize her basketball-playing older brother, making her feel invisible. When her school launches a debate club, Stevie is elated to find an extracurricular activity that doesn’t rely on her physicality—plus a cute boy to crush on. Stevie doesn’t worry that she’s taller than him until Arianna points it out, leading to an argument that jeopardizes their friendship. And now that she’s avoiding Arianna, Stevie must navigate the subway—and its dangers—alone. This fresh, heartfelt slam dunk from Wyman (Jawbreaker) entwines enthralling details about debate into a story that probes financial precarity and adolescent insecurity. Whip-smart prose and potent middle school drama keep the pages turning, but it’s the accessible conversation about bodily autonomy, consent, privacy, and social media’s influence that make this a standout read. The Crumbs cue as white; secondary characters are racially diverse. An author’s note concludes. Ages 8–12. Agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary. (Oct.)