All of Us

ME, a girl with dyslexia and dyscalculia, moves from Dublin to Virginia after her mother's death. In her new American home, ME must adjust to life with her aunt, uncle, and cousin while navigating sixth grade at a new school. ME finds comfort in the stories of her Irish heritage and the tales her mother used to tell her. She discovers unexpected connections through her skills with art and her ability to see life from different perspectives. Through the challenges of learning differences, culture shock, and personal loss, ME's journey touches on themes of belonging, self-acceptance, and the power of finding one's own voice. The narrative explores how differences can become strengths and how family extends beyond biological connections.

Readers praise the book's portrayal of classroom dynamics and its messages about inclusion and caring for others. Many parents and teachers appreciate how it handles themes of friendship, grief, and neurodivergence in ways that elementary-age children can understand. Positive reviews highlight: - Relatable main character dealing with real-world challenges - Effective use of multiple perspectives to show different sides of conflicts - Strong representation of autism and sensory issues Common criticisms: - Some find the poetry format challenging to follow - A few note the plot moves slowly in places - Several mention it may be too complex for younger readers Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.11/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (160+ ratings) BookPage: 4/5 One teacher reviewer noted: "Perfect for classroom discussions about empathy." A parent wrote: "Helped my child understand their classmate with autism better."

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🌟 The story takes place in 1924 Charlottesville, Virginia, when strict racial segregation was the law and the Ku Klux Klan was active in the area. 🌟 Author Kathryn Erskine was inspired to write this book after learning about the history of her own hometown of Charlottesville and its struggles with segregation and civil rights. 🌟 The protagonist, Shirley, is based on real children who defied societal norms of the time by forming friendships across racial lines despite the dangers and disapproval they faced. 🌟 Erskine conducted extensive research into 1920s Virginia, including period newspapers, photographs, and oral histories from local residents to accurately portray the setting. 🌟 The book explores themes that remain relevant today, including the impact of inherited prejudices, the courage to stand up for what's right, and the power of cross-cultural friendships to build understanding.