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erine 's review for:

My Life in the Fish Tank by Barbara Dee
4.0

4.5 Stars

Who really wants to talk about their feelings? It can be awkward, uncomfortable, and confusing. But also incredibly necessary. And despite the clunky awkwardness of tweenage life combined with a new bipolar diagnosis for her brother, Zinnia navigates the discomfort and difficulty with the help of new friends, great teachers, an old friend, as well as her family. The process unfolds gradually, with Zinnia learning of her brother's diagnosis, revisiting memories, losing her old friends, and then finding a temporary refuge in her science teacher's lab. Her longer-term progress comes later in the story. She is occasionally selfish and short-sighted, but on the main she is very relatable and her confusion over her brother's journey is well-written.