Dear Sweet Pea

Julie Murphy's middle-grade debut follows twelve-year-old Sweet Pea DiMarco through her parents' divorce, shifting friendships, and body-image pressures — with a comedic subplot where she secretly takes over her neighbor's advice column. Murphy's first-person voice is warm and genuinely funny, and Kirkus praised her portrait of a fat protagonist whose body is 'neither symbolic nor problematic' — a refreshing choice in children's fiction. The book handles the weight of divorce with lightness without being dishonest about the hurt. Faith-conservative families should be aware that Sweet Pea's father comes out as gay during the story, handled in an affirming way that some parents may want to discuss with their kids. For families comfortable with that, it is a thoughtful, big-hearted read for ages eight to twelve.