Hidden Truths

Eric and Dani have been best friends since second grade. Now they are ready to start sixth grade. Dani has been away at baseball camp, and upon returning home, she makes the baseball team—the only girl to do so. Eric and Dani go on a weekend camping trip, and the camper catches fire, but Eric pulls Dani out. She has a broken leg and her pitching arm is messed up. Eric worries he might have caused the fire, and tells Dani. She’s furious and things fall apart between them. Dani makes friends with a popular girl from school, who uses Dani to make Eric’s life miserable. Their friendship seems broken beyond repair, but is it?

Elly Swartz has written a terrific story filled with real-world problems young readers will relate to. Told in the first person in alternating chapters from Dani’s and Eric’s point of view, Swartz brings readers close to both characters and lets readers feel what it is like to deal with Eric’s ADHD and what Dani goes through when she loses her dream. The writing is excellent—very conversational and accessible. The characters are well-rounded and believable and the story is compelling. Don’t miss this one.