Common Sense Media Review
By Myiesha Speight
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tween gives advice, finds her voice in sweet novel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In DEAR STUDENT, Autumn has to start middle school without her best friend who moved away. To add to her problems, Autumn's dad left for Ecuador to serve in the Peace Corps and now her mom and little sister have to move to the apartment above Hillview Vet where her mom works. Autumn's dad encourages her to find a school activity, and she decides to apply to become her school newspaper's secret advice columnist Dear Student. She's surprised when she's chosen and she finds that she enjoys advising her classmates even though she has to keep her identity secret. She finds out that a makeup company in town tests their products on animals. Her friend Logan, thanks to the advice Autumn gave as Dear Student, wants to protest the company. Unfortunately, Autumn has another friend named Cooper, and his mom has a job at the company after not being able to work for a while. He's worried about what's going to happen to his mom's job if the protests cause the company to shut down. Will Autumn be able to be there for both friends while staying true to her beliefs and keeping her secret as Dear Student?
Is It Any Good?
This heartwarming novel about finding your voice and staying true to your values is a worthwhile read. Readers will applaud Autumn's character growth. She begins self-conscious and unsure of herself. She questions whether her father leaving to join the Peace Corps was because she wasn't good enough. As she takes on the role of Dear Student and all the conflict that arises, she stands by her values and tries to figure out a solution that will help everyone. It's especially empowering to see her realize the power in her voice and how much she can accomplish by being herself.
Autumn doesn't hesitate to help her friends whether that be by selling whoopie pies or just being a listening ear. Though her optimistic outlook may come off as naïve, her motivation is rooted in kindness and wanting everything to work out for everyone. As happens in many friend groups, Autumn has a falling out with her two friends. Though she makes up with both of them, it'll be up to the reader to decide whether both friends deserved forgiveness.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about activism in Dear Student. Autumn helps organize a protest against a makeup company's testing on animals. Why was it important for her to speak out against animal testing? What are some other ways she could generate support for her cause?
Autumn finds herself torn between her two friends who have different values and interests. How do you think she handled her relationship with them? How would you navigate having friends that dislike each other or don't get along?
Autumn is upset with her father for leaving and doesn't understand why he had to leave to make a difference. How did Autumn's conflict with her father make you feel? What advice would you give her to help her deal with her feelings?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : School
- Topics : Activism , Friendship , School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Courage , Empathy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Delacorte Press
- Publication date : February 15, 2022
- Number of pages : 302
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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