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A review by barefootmegz
Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One by Maggie Horne
5.0
If Hazel Hill were in my school when I was twelve, she would GET me. Hazel is everything I love in a tween-protagonist, and EVERYTHING I would have loved to read at that age.
With a plot that is nail-bitingly realistic, characters that refuse to be archetypal, and delightfully witty dialogue, Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One is compulsively readable - one of my best this year, so far.
My favourite thing about Hazel’s story is that, even though she identifies as queer and is not yet “out”, the plot is not at all centred around her sexuality. The major conflict is that of sexual harassment (and listening to victims when they speak out). Her queerness is certainly not in the background - not a “quota” situation. In fact, it informs most of her actions and views. (Okay, so Hazel is a little more self-aware than most 12-year-olds, but we all want protagonists that have something special to offer.)
Further themes on friendships - the good and the toxic - and vulnerability are relatable and important. And the secret romance that is only juuuuust barely hinted at, made my heart melt from cuteness.
I can imagine that the #notallmen brigade will take much issue with this book; and no doubt some older readers will find Hazel’s precocious, cheeky manner annoying.
As for me, I would love to see it read widely - from classrooms and libraries, to book clubs, and waiting rooms all over. Go, find a copy!
Thanks to Firefly Press and Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
With a plot that is nail-bitingly realistic, characters that refuse to be archetypal, and delightfully witty dialogue, Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One is compulsively readable - one of my best this year, so far.
My favourite thing about Hazel’s story is that, even though she identifies as queer and is not yet “out”, the plot is not at all centred around her sexuality. The major conflict is that of sexual harassment (and listening to victims when they speak out). Her queerness is certainly not in the background - not a “quota” situation. In fact, it informs most of her actions and views. (Okay, so Hazel is a little more self-aware than most 12-year-olds, but we all want protagonists that have something special to offer.)
Further themes on friendships - the good and the toxic - and vulnerability are relatable and important. And the secret romance that is only juuuuust barely hinted at, made my heart melt from cuteness.
I can imagine that the #notallmen brigade will take much issue with this book; and no doubt some older readers will find Hazel’s precocious, cheeky manner annoying.
As for me, I would love to see it read widely - from classrooms and libraries, to book clubs, and waiting rooms all over. Go, find a copy!
Thanks to Firefly Press and Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.