It is definitely a real thing that author’s often hide the controversial/concerning content a good way into the book, knowing that many parents will read the first part of the book when researching it. Not here. We see a small illustration of these two on the cover and in the first couple pages the concerns are confirmed. The most concerning aspect of this book comes from the relatively heavy focus on the main character’s “two dads”. As you would expect, these “two dad” characters are shown as wonderful, supportive parental characters (at least in this one we don’t see a contrast where the church is shown in a super negative light as is pretty common in other books we have reviewed). As always tends to happen, this distortion of God’s plan for family leads to confusing language, such as having to distinguish between these two men with things like “Dad Charlie” and one as “my anxious dad”.

Later in the acknowledgments we find out the author is gay when he mentions having a “husband”. He also mentions having dollhouses.

The other big concern is the overall “feel” of the book. While the topic itself could be very helpful one to kids and families under different circumstances, the first ~80+% of the book has such a feel of sadness, frustration, anger, etc. Of course, the author needs to set the stage for the resolution, but the feel here is not one we would want young readers (especially those younger ones who will always be drawn to this format) experiencing.

Also, on covering the main topic of wrestling with ADHD, this one certainly opens the door for taking something that is a challenge and turning it into a blanket excuse. Marcella misses assignments, misses an important event, doesn’t do a school project, is always sad and off, etc. The implication is she just couldn’t help it. We need to be real about our limitations and challenges, but we don’t feel the right takeaway will come for many here, especially young children reading this on their own.

Other concerning content:

We see Marcella in a flashback dressed as a “witch princess”

We see a string of disturbing drawings as Marcella sees duplicate of herself all being mean and critical to her

Her friend Jenny is very rude to her little sister.

The following terms are used: OMG (used many times)