• Age: 8 to 12
• Grade: 3 to 7

A true-to-life story about the pains and triumphs of growing up, perfect for readers of Renée Watson and Lisa Moore Ramée

Arlaina Jefferson is eager to prove herself. Tasked with caring for her cousin’s rabbit, Obeena, Arlaina knows all that stands between her and the grown-up world of middle school is one year of staying out of trouble and making sure to clean up Obeena’s turds. It would be easy—if growing up didn’t also mean growing wiser.

Having faced thoughtless comments from fellow students, Arlaina is already struggling to explain the hurt she feels to her best friend, Tina. But when their teacher, Mr. Matthews, asks an ignorant question about classmate Nadia’s headscarf, Arlaina has the confirmation she needs: Mr. Matthews is part of a larger problem that plagues Grover School. All those comments that Arlaina—and several other students—once brushed off suddenly seethe under the light of truth. Some things just can’t be fixed by Obeena’s warm and fuzzy charms.

Bolstered by her father’s childhood experience in the Million Man March, Arlaina teams up with no-nonsense Nadia and a host of other Grover School students to right a systemic wrong. After all, proving you’re grown up doesn’t always mean staying out of trouble!

Wanda Taylor is an award-winning writer, filmmaker, journalist, and college professor.

As an author of fiction and nonfiction, Wanda writes across children's, YA and adult markets. Her next two fiction titles are set for release with HarperCollins Canada in June 2023 and Spring 2024. As a journalist and former television producer, Wanda has written and produced content for film and television. Her magazine features, poems, and essays appear in publications across Canada, the US, and the UK.

As a former Acquisitions Editor, Wanda has acquired and championed titles from emerging and established authors and continues to support the work of new writers as a freelance editor.

In her role as a sensitivity reader, Wanda works with publishers and authors on works in progress to ensure accuracy and authenticity in areas such as race, diversity, cultural history, social work, and trauma.

Wanda currently teaches courses in journalism, communications, and several writing courses. She previously taught journalism courses at King's, where she will continue to serve as a mentor in the MFA Writing and Publishing program.

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