MIDDLE GRADE REALISTIC FICTION : Rowan + Gemma by Sally J. Pla
ABOUT THE BOOK
In this new middle grade novel by Schneider Award-winning author Sally J. Pla, two neurodivergent tweens, one of whom is nonverbal, forge a friendship against the backdrop of their feuding families.
Rowan Monahan has lived in the town of Friendship Prairie forever. He knows everyone, and they know him. Some folks judge him, too, for being a slow learner. But Rowan knows in his heart that he's capable of more than people think.
Gemma Caplan is new in town. Back in the city, people understood she used her assistive device (AAC) to speak. But here in tiny Friendship Prairie, she's afraid she won't fit in.
When Rowan and Gemma meet, they form an instant, magic bond. But just as the two are growing close, their mothers start a they're running terribly nasty campaigns against each other for school board.
Since their moms detest each other, Gemma and Rowan feel they must keep their connection a secret.
When they’re discovered and punished, Rowan and Gemma decide it’s time to take a stand -- and show their families what a place called Friendship Prairie is supposed to be about.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award-winning children’s author Sally J. Pla includes neurodiversity, humor, empathy, compassion, joy, and acceptance in her books.
She is the Schneider Family Award winning author of THE FIRE, THE WATER, AND MAUDIE McGINN, the Dolly Gray Award winner THE SOMEDAY BIRDS, and many other acclaimed novels and picture books. Her books have been translated into lots of languages, have starred reviews, and appear on at least 27 state awards lists and many “best book of the year” roundups.
Sally has appeared on television and radio as an author and neurodiversity advocate. She also runs the kidlit website resource, A Novel Mind. She believes in kindness, respect, and the beauty of different brains. We are all stars shining with different lights!
REVIEW
A mishap at his family's restaurant results in an unfortunate encounter between Rowan and Gemma. Their next meeting, at school, proves to be more pleasant. Rowan goes looking for a safe space after an ugly encounter with his cousin. Gemma, a student who is nonverbal and autistic, gets lost looking for her classroom and ends up in the art storage room with Rowan. Rowan isn't bothered by Gemma's use of a device to speak and Gemma isn't bothered by Rowan's slower response times and stutter. As they become good friends, their mothers become enemies after some misunderstandings and overreactions. Rowan and Gemma hide their friendship at first. But they can't keep it a secret forever especially when the mothers end up running against each other for the open school board seat. As the nastiness grows to include the rest of the town, Rowan and Gemma are desperate to make peace between the families. What will it take to bring the two families together? A fundraiser? A dance? A natural disaster? Told from both Rowan's and Gemma's points-of-view, readers catch a glimpse into the lives of two young people who value their friendship enough to speak out in their own unique ways. While Gemma and Rowan are freshmen in high school, the relationship is sweet and innocent with maybe one brief kiss. Other content includes one minor character using illegal drugs. A tender story about friendship and what it takes to build one with or without neurodivergent characteristics. A book designed to make the reader smile at the sweet and fun moments, and cringe at some awful behavior. Definitely a book for my favorites shelf. Highly recommended.
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