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A review by heykellyjensen
So Done by Paula Chase
When Mila comes home from a summer spent away from the trailer, she puts a wedge between her and former best friend Tai. She no longer wants to be called by her old nickname, and Tai doesn't take to that -- nor the distance -- well. But Mila has her reasons: she wants more than she thinks she can achieve, and she's leery of Tai's father after what he did to her a few months ago.
Chase writes a really compelling and realistic look at the complex dynamics of friendship. This book lands in the upper middle grade range, and it's true to what happens between friends at that fragile age before high school. Further complicating this story are issues of poverty and access, as well as families challenged by issues of addiction. Neither Tai nor Mila has a rosy home life, but neither lacks love or support needed to grow into the people they can become.
One of the interesting pieces of this is what overlays the story: the school is getting a Talented and Gifted program, which will give access to more lessons and education within the fine arts. Both Tai and Mila have been dancers and plan on trying out for TAG. Tai doesn't take it as seriously as Mila does, in part because she's less invested in ballet than she is in other styles of dance. But she also feels compelled to do so so she doesn't lose her best friend. Near the end, we find out the fate of both girls, and we see Tai confront the truths behind her motivations, and these big moments are well-earned and serve to flesh out the girls even more. Neither is better or worse than the other, and Chase is careful in exploring what drives each of them and what it is that might drive them apart.
This one will appeal to middle grade readers, especially those who care about friendship stories. The modern slang and language will make it even more accessible and relatable.
Chase writes a really compelling and realistic look at the complex dynamics of friendship. This book lands in the upper middle grade range, and it's true to what happens between friends at that fragile age before high school. Further complicating this story are issues of poverty and access, as well as families challenged by issues of addiction. Neither Tai nor Mila has a rosy home life, but neither lacks love or support needed to grow into the people they can become.
One of the interesting pieces of this is what overlays the story: the school is getting a Talented and Gifted program, which will give access to more lessons and education within the fine arts. Both Tai and Mila have been dancers and plan on trying out for TAG. Tai doesn't take it as seriously as Mila does, in part because she's less invested in ballet than she is in other styles of dance. But she also feels compelled to do so so she doesn't lose her best friend. Near the end, we find out the fate of both girls, and we see Tai confront the truths behind her motivations, and these big moments are well-earned and serve to flesh out the girls even more. Neither is better or worse than the other, and Chase is careful in exploring what drives each of them and what it is that might drive them apart.
This one will appeal to middle grade readers, especially those who care about friendship stories. The modern slang and language will make it even more accessible and relatable.