Tracing Stars by Erin E Moulton was published in 2012 and is the story of Indie Lee Chickory. She doesn't fit in at school or in the town. She loves fish and has a pet lobster. She doesn't mind that she smells bad from fish heads and guts, but everyone at school teases her because of it.
She wants to fit in to please her sister, but she finds giving up on her values may be hard when she befriends another misfit. She tries to keep her new friendship a secret so that she can be accepted by her sister Bebe, and her friends. Owen, Indie's new friend, is a well-written character who is such a good friend and good person.
I really liked how this book portrayed kids this age. I liked that they were struggling with self-awareness and awkwardness. I liked the growth that was portrayed in the characters. The cover of this book is beautiful and there is plenty of white space on the pages. I also liked that no parents were harmed in the creation of this story.
Read to a child today even if that child is you.
