Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet middle-grade story of change, friendship, and healing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
GRETA is dealing with a lot of change in her life right now, and she's not sure she's ready for any of it. As if starting middle school weren't enough by itself, her family is also getting ready to move to a new house across town, and Greta's definitely not ready for that. The school year starts out pretty smoothly, and Greta even gets invited to a party before long. Her time at the party takes a very dark turn, but it also starts her journey of transformation into her strongest, most free and beautiful self.
Is It Any Good?
This is a sweet, sometimes even funny, story about all the chaos and challenges that the start of adolescence can bring. In Greta, debut author J. S. Lemon handles a difficult topic like sexual assault with sensitivity, and without shying away from the emotional aftermath. Tweens especially will relate to Greta and Lottie and root for them as they grow and change. Some readers may find Greta's physical transformation implausible, but it can be a good introduction to devices like symbolism and surrealism in novels. A note at the end by a clinical psychologist explains sexual assault and consent so that the targeted age group can understand them, and encourages victims and people who know a victim to seek out the help they need.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about character in Greta. How does Greta show her integrity? What are her other strengths and weaknesses as a character?
How did reading about Greta being assaulted make you feel? Were you scared or confused? Did you read the note about it at the end? Who can you talk to, or where can you find information to help you understand what happened, and your own feelings about it?
What are butterflies symbols of? Why do you think Greta changes the way she does? How do Greta's feelings about herself and her body change over the course of the story?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Contemporary Fiction
- Topics : Friendship , School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Integrity
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Farrar, Straus and Giroux
- Publication date : September 10, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 14
- Number of pages : 208
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate