Gr 5 Up—Drew is a seventh-grade wannabe criminal profiler who takes notes from her hero, profiler Lita Miyamoto,
to solve cases at her middle school. Her toughest case yet is uncovering the identity of a cyberbully who's exposing
classmates' most sensitive secrets, including hers. This modern take on Harriet the Spy tackles friendship,
acceptance, and sexuality.

I liked this book a lot -- it's quirky, got a great main character who's going through a lot, and talks the real talk about bullying. I appreciate that the author is basing this so much on her experiences as a bullied, asthmatic, true-crime loving kid with IBS. I also love that Drew doesn't know what her sexuality is (aside from, kissing is gross), but thinks she might be bi-sexual, if she had to pick something at all. There's some hard mom-issues and abandonment/divorce. There's some great dad support, and some excellent friends and nerdery. It's a good read. ( )

Seventh grader Drew Leclair's mom has just run off to Hawaii with Drew's school counselor. Drew shuts down her own feelings about this and tries to protect her dad, with whom she has a great relationship. At school, bullying has going online (as well as in-person) with an instagram handle called Ella Baker Shade, and Drew - a true crime fanatic - works to figure out their true identity. Along for the ride are best friend Shreyas (Shrey), who recently kissed Drew (unreciprocated) and new friend Trissa.

Like Harriet the Spy, Drew eventually gets in trouble for writing profiles of her friends as well as the bullies and other suspects, but she's able to repair her relationships, talk honestly with her dad (and her mom, via phone), and confront the school administration about the bullying problem.

An excellent middle grade mystery with plenty of social-emotional learning going on, and a diverse cast of secondary characters.

Quotes

A mom who is actually sad about leaving wouldn't be leaving. (2)

But if I can think like a scientist, maybe I won't feel at all. (10)

...it does make me feel immediately calmer to imagine pushing science to the forefront - ahead of my feelings. (50)

"And...I know I'm this weirdo and everyone thinks I'm creepy. But maybe a creepy weirdo is exactly who can track this bully down." (Drew to Shrey, 57)

"...you could say I blend into the background. The teachers don't notice me, and they say all sorts of interesting stuff. And leave papers lying around." (Drew to Trissa, 86)

And why couldn't Mom be that protective all the time? Why didn't she protect me from all the hurt she'd caused me? (140)

"We can't control who we like."
"We can't?" I ask, horrified. "That seems dangerous. What if we end up liking someone who's terrible for us?" (Drew's dad and Drew, 170)

If I'm so mature, shouldn't all of me be maturing at the same speed? (172)

What is it about me that makes everyone want to leave? (203)

"It's not fair that the punishment for standing up for yourself is the same as the one for bullying people." (Drew to administration, 229) ( )