A review by thenextgenlibrarian
Still a Work in Progress by Jo Knowles

3.0

Not sure how I feel about this book. It’s labeled middle grade 5th-8th but I’m not sure I’d put this in an elementary library. It has all the elements of a MG read, but there were lots of more mature references in regards to dating, religion, health and more. I struggled the first half because it was very juvenile: lots of discussion about dating, kissing, who likes who—to be honest, I really didn’t care. It wasn’t until about 2/3 the way through we find out what Emma’s secret is then the book had some depth and meaning and I finally got to see what it was really about. That’s when the tears came. When they have to take her to the treatment center on Christmas Eve and she still hasn’t returned by the end of the book, I felt that. This book offered a unique perspective about eating disorders and how it effects those around you, not necessarily the first person POV. That part I really enjoyed so I’m doing 3.5 stars.