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evamadera1's review
3.5
This book explored the complexity of friendships at the middle school level but ultimately the narrative felt just mid to me. Of course, I appreciate the fact that the female main character loves baseball. I also appreciated the fact that Swartz accurately portrayed the complexity of these types of friendships and how the foibles of middle schoolers mess up these relationships. Ultimately though, the narrative did not grip me enough to bring this book above just an average reading experience.
bookishnan's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ashleereads07's review against another edition
5.0
"Hidden Truths" by Elly Swartz is a beautifully written story about changing friendships, the lies we tell, the secrets we keep, and the healing power of forgiveness. It is about two best friends growing up and growing apart. This is inevitable, and so relatable. Their experiences throughout this book are powerful: hospitalization, fire, injuries, bullying, death of a grandparent. Throughout it all, the bond these two have through the grief and healing process is undeniable.
This book comes out October 31, 2023. I received an advanced e-copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#HiddenTruths #NetGalley
This book comes out October 31, 2023. I received an advanced e-copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#HiddenTruths #NetGalley
litagentsaritza's review
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
michellehenriereads's review against another edition
4.0
My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press. I'm voluntarily leaving review.
Genre: Middle-grade Contemporary Fiction, Sad Books
Content: Bullying
HIDDEN TRUTHS focuses on growing up. There's also a side theme of social justice.
This is not my normal type of reading, but I thought the characters were interesting and the plot compelling. It's what I call a "sad book" because these kids are having to overcome so much. In this case, not as much emotional turmoil from others (like abuse) but physical challenges that stretch their emotional limits and friendship. I hope that makes sense.
I liked how the other characters' arcs were rounded out so we could see that even those who were envied or were the bullies had pressure in their lives. It also ties up everything pretty tightly.
The right audience will eat this up. Kids will love it.
Happy reading!
Genre: Middle-grade Contemporary Fiction, Sad Books
Content: Bullying
HIDDEN TRUTHS focuses on growing up. There's also a side theme of social justice.
This is not my normal type of reading, but I thought the characters were interesting and the plot compelling. It's what I call a "sad book" because these kids are having to overcome so much. In this case, not as much emotional turmoil from others (like abuse) but physical challenges that stretch their emotional limits and friendship. I hope that makes sense.
I liked how the other characters' arcs were rounded out so we could see that even those who were envied or were the bullies had pressure in their lives. It also ties up everything pretty tightly.
The right audience will eat this up. Kids will love it.
Happy reading!
sara_hudson's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book! It does so many wonderful things, and avoids the pitfalls that too many middle grade novels for tweens fall into. You know them - having that ONE BIG THING that is going be important, get hinted at and dragged through the whole novel until you don't care about it anymore. Or that ONE TERRIBLE CHARACTER who weighs down the whole story like an anvil. O that syrupy sweet too-perfect everything-falls-into-place ending that feels just wrong. Elly avoids all of that with a nuanced story full of heart.
Not only does Hidden Truths avoid mistakes, it includes wonderful elements that are too often misplayed. First and foremost, there is the authentic and true friendship between Dani and Eric - they have been friends forever, know each other's secrets and flaws, and have that friendship-love that is all too rare. It doesn't get romantic because it transcends romance. One of my favorite parts is when Eric, although he is hurting from Dani's less-than-friend-like behavior, still looks out for her at school from a distance. It's just one sentence in one paragraph, but it is a special moment that shows the depth of the characters.
I like that it is Dani who loves baseball and Eric who loves crossword puzzles. Take that, traditional gender roles. I like that the kids' Judaism is regular and normal - not some mystical weirdness that no one understands. (And, I love the authentic representation of guilt as a driving force. Oh boy do I understand that!) I like that the adults are doing their level best, and sometimes their best isn't all that good. I like that PT is hard for Dani, really hard, and it doesn't magically work right away. I like that there is no cue-the-violins moment on the baseball field with James Earl Jones voicing the script.
In short, I love that the story and the characters ring true. Terrible things happen, and what matters is what you do next. And, truth be told, you are likely to screw up the part that comes next - a lot. So, find your people who will love you anyway. And don't let go. (And donuts always help.)
Not only does Hidden Truths avoid mistakes, it includes wonderful elements that are too often misplayed. First and foremost, there is the authentic and true friendship between Dani and Eric - they have been friends forever, know each other's secrets and flaws, and have that friendship-love that is all too rare. It doesn't get romantic because it transcends romance. One of my favorite parts is when Eric, although he is hurting from Dani's less-than-friend-like behavior, still looks out for her at school from a distance. It's just one sentence in one paragraph, but it is a special moment that shows the depth of the characters.
I like that it is Dani who loves baseball and Eric who loves crossword puzzles. Take that, traditional gender roles. I like that the kids' Judaism is regular and normal - not some mystical weirdness that no one understands. (And, I love the authentic representation of guilt as a driving force. Oh boy do I understand that!) I like that the adults are doing their level best, and sometimes their best isn't all that good. I like that PT is hard for Dani, really hard, and it doesn't magically work right away. I like that there is no cue-the-violins moment on the baseball field with James Earl Jones voicing the script.
In short, I love that the story and the characters ring true. Terrible things happen, and what matters is what you do next. And, truth be told, you are likely to screw up the part that comes next - a lot. So, find your people who will love you anyway. And don't let go. (And donuts always help.)
thenextgenlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
A MG story about loss, forgiveness and the power of friendship.
⚾️
Meet Dani: she’s back from baseball camp this summer and finally made the team as the first girl pitcher!
Meet Eric: He’s Dani’s best friend who’s been waiting for baseball camp to be over so they could use his father’s new camper out at the lake.
When they go with Eric’s dad, the camper catches on fire and it’s Eric who pulls an injured Dani out, saving her life. Unfortunately, Dani suffers several injuries that keep her from playing baseball this season. While she’s recovering the two best friends start drifting further apart as Eric searches for the truth of what happened with the fire and Dani tries to forget it and move on. Will they be able to get back to where they were before?
✏️
This was such a beautifully told middle grade book about two best friends growing up and growing apart, which usually does happen at this age. New friends, first crushes, struggling to stand up for one another—it was all so relatable for our kids and I teared up more than once. I loved the Jewish and ADHD representation, and @ellyswartzbooks did an amazing job describing grief, healing and the bond these two have for one another that has Eric so passionately devoted to the cause of shining a light on the responsible party of the fire. I downloaded and read this in one day. You’ll be just as invested when it releases October 31.
CW: hospitalization, fire, injuries, bullying, death of a grandparent (recounted)
⚾️
Meet Dani: she’s back from baseball camp this summer and finally made the team as the first girl pitcher!
Meet Eric: He’s Dani’s best friend who’s been waiting for baseball camp to be over so they could use his father’s new camper out at the lake.
When they go with Eric’s dad, the camper catches on fire and it’s Eric who pulls an injured Dani out, saving her life. Unfortunately, Dani suffers several injuries that keep her from playing baseball this season. While she’s recovering the two best friends start drifting further apart as Eric searches for the truth of what happened with the fire and Dani tries to forget it and move on. Will they be able to get back to where they were before?
✏️
This was such a beautifully told middle grade book about two best friends growing up and growing apart, which usually does happen at this age. New friends, first crushes, struggling to stand up for one another—it was all so relatable for our kids and I teared up more than once. I loved the Jewish and ADHD representation, and @ellyswartzbooks did an amazing job describing grief, healing and the bond these two have for one another that has Eric so passionately devoted to the cause of shining a light on the responsible party of the fire. I downloaded and read this in one day. You’ll be just as invested when it releases October 31.
CW: hospitalization, fire, injuries, bullying, death of a grandparent (recounted)
brenna_reads's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book is a sweet and overall hopefully story, although at times frustrating because I genuinely hurt for the kids in this book. It brings up a lot of questions about finding out who you really are during that awkward time of middle school. The main characters are complex, interesting, and loveable. I did not enjoy the development of some of the other relationships in the book, but found it overall satisfying.
reniareads's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0