UNSTUCK BY BARBARA DEE
Barbara Dee’s Unstuck follows seventh grader Lyla, a writer facing serious writer’s block as a story she cares about refuses to come together before a contest deadline. Her struggles with creativity run parallel to challenges with friendships and family. Lyla deals with a changing friendship after her best friend moves to a new school, a sister in conflict with their parents, and Lyla’s own pressure to succeed. The book highlights themes of identity, resilience, and releasing expectations to become your own self.
Lyla’s first-person narration captures the anxious energy of middle school but balances it with self-awareness and humor. Her fictional fantasy writing mirrors her real-life conflicts in a way that shows the messy process of finding your voice and the slow realization of this struggle. Conflicts aren’t solved neatly, which makes the plot more realistic and gives readers space to reflect.
This book is a great recommendation for middle grade readers who enjoy realistic fiction. It will connect especially well with students who like to write, who struggle with perfectionism, or who are navigating shifting friendships.