Just Right Jillian

HarperCollins/Versify (2022) | Cooperative Children’s Book Center’s best of the year, CCBC Choices 2023 | Bank Street College of Education’s Children’s Book Committee’s Best Children’s Books of the Year 2023

Fifth grader Jillian longs to wear bright colors in a school of neutral tones. To run and flip upside down while everyone else whispers and gossips. But no matter how hard she tries to be herself, shyness keeps her true brilliance hidden away. Even if it means getting the wrong glasses or losing an easy contest, Jillian keeps her mouth shut.

After a bully tells her she can never be a winner, Jillian gets fed up. She determines to prove, not only that she’s smart, but brave, too. But breaking out of her shell is easier said than done. Jillian has less than a month to overcome a lifetime of shyness and summon the courage to fight for herself.

For fans of Kate DiCamillo, Renée Watson, Crystal Allen, Rebecca Stead, and Barbara O’Connor.

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