Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Quirky tween dramedy has strong messages about self-esteem.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Elyse was born with a genetic condition that causes words to appear as a rash on her skin whenever someone calls her a name -- or even when she just thinks the name to herself. Mean names such as "loser" and "dork" are unbearably itchy, but nice words such as "leader" and "cool" feel soothing on her skin. Now she's starting middle school with a whole bunch of kids from other elementary schools who don't know about her condition. Worse still, her best friend, protector, and buffer Jeg has starting hanging out with the popular crowd, leaving Elyse to fend for herself. And why can't she stop thinking about Liam, who doesn't want to go out with her any more, and start thinking about Andy, who's really nice? When she starts receiving mysterious, anonymous notes encouraging her to try out for Explorer Leader of the sixth-grade camping trip, Elyse is relieved to know someone's in her corner. But will that be enough to help her get past the STICKS & STONES?
Is It Any Good?
Tween girls looking forward to middle school will enjoy the drama of Elyse's ups and downs as she learns to navigate sixth grade and that she's got a lot to offer the world when she trusts herself. Getting to know new kids, changing friendships, frustrating romance, and "Snotty Ami" are just some of what makes her story easy to relate to. Her voice is believable and engagingly quirky, with plenty of age-appropriate laughs along the way. Elyse is easy to sympathize with, and readers will admire the chin-up way she copes with being different.
Elyse is a good role model for learning to accept yourself and that although words definitely can hurt, they can also help. But the plot's heavy on middle school drama, so kids who aren't interested in social status or ready for romance won't find much else here.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how words can hurt. When does "kids being kids" become bullying?
If there were a word written on your skin somewhere, what would it be? Would it itch or feel OK? Why?
How was Elyse able to find camp after being left alone in the snow? What would you have done if it had been you?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship , School ( Middle School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Farrar, Straus and Giroux
- Publication date : July 12, 2016
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 12
- Number of pages : 288
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 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