*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Title: The Other, Better Me
Author: Antony John
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: October 1, 2109
ISBN: 9780062835659
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Lola and Momma have always been a team of two. It hasn’t always been easy for Lola, being one of the only kids she knows with just one parent around. And lately she’s been feeling incomplete, like there’s a part of herself that she can’t know until she knows her dad. But what will happen—to Lola, to Momma, to their team of two—if she finds him?
I don’t often read middle grade fiction, but I will say that The Other, Better Me was quite a sweet and heart-warming novel. Lola has never known her father, but a school project and some cajoling from her friends pushes her to try and seek out the man that’s been missing in her life. It’s not that she isn’t happy, she just wants to know more about who she is and where she came from.
This early coming of age story follows Lola as she begins to discover that there’s more to the world that she could have imagined–that the people around her, despite their pasts and their mistakes, love her no matter what. Lola wants to grow and to take charge of her situation and she’s supported by friends who have her back and encourage her to grow, and family that are open and honest to tell her the truth as she is old enough and ready to hear it.
Lola is an incredibly lovely and inspirational character. She’s a great example for other kids her age. She wants to make changes for the better and she wants only to help people. This is her story of learning and discovering more about herself. I would highly recommend this story to young readers and tweens. Readers will find Lola compelling and will connect with her closely. She sets a great example for love, friendship, and acceptance for her peers. I think that many young readers will thoroughly enjoy her story.
Happy reading!
Worn Pages and Ink 