As Simple as It Seems

Verbena Colter, an eleven-year-old girl living in rural New York, learns she was born with fetal alcohol syndrome. This revelation, combined with struggles at school and difficulties connecting with others, leads Verbena to question her identity and self-worth. When a new boy moves in next door for the summer, Verbena finds an unexpected opportunity to reinvent herself. She begins spending time with him while pretending to be someone else, setting off a series of events that force her to confront truths about herself and her relationships. Through moments of both humor and heartache, this middle-grade novel explores themes of self-acceptance, friendship, and the complex bonds between parents and children. The story demonstrates how understanding one's past can lead to growth and healing in the present.

Readers describe this middle-grade novel as a relatable story about self-discovery and friendship. Many note that it handles complex topics like adoption and fetal alcohol syndrome in an age-appropriate way. Readers appreciated: - Realistic portrayal of an 11-year-old's thoughts and feelings - Short chapters that keep young readers engaged - The main character's growth throughout the story - Balance of serious themes with lighter moments Common criticisms: - Plot moves slowly in the middle sections - Some side characters lack development - Resolution feels rushed according to several reviewers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (45 ratings) One parent reviewer noted: "The book helped my daughter understand a classmate dealing with similar challenges." A middle school teacher wrote: "Students connect with the main character but sometimes lose interest halfway through." Common recommendation: Best suited for ages 9-12, particularly readers who enjoy realistic fiction about family relationships.

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🌟 Sarah Weeks got the idea for this book after discovering that her own birth father was not the man who raised her, similar to the main character Verbena's journey of self-discovery 🌟 The novel tackles complex themes like Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) in an age-appropriate way for middle-grade readers, helping to create awareness and understanding 🌟 Many of the lake scenes in the book were inspired by the author's childhood summers spent at Burden Lake in upstate New York 🌟 The ghost story element of the plot was based on local legends Sarah Weeks heard while growing up near historical areas in New England 🌟 The author wrote multiple drafts of the book's ending before settling on one that balanced hope with realism, consulting with child psychologists to ensure the resolution would resonate with young readers