Where You've Got to Be by Caroline Gertler
Published by Greenwillow Books on September 13, 2022
ISBN: 0063027054
Pages: 288
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

Where You’ve Got to Be is a lovely middle grade novel that introduces us to Nolie, a rising sixth grader who lives with her mom, dad and older sister Linden in a small, New York City apartment. The summer has ended on a bad note when the cousins’ week at her Grandma’s beach house is cut short due to her older sister Linden, a picture perfect ballet star, insisting on going back to the city early for a workshop. To make matters worse, when she tries to reconnect with her best friend Jessa, it seems another girl has seemingly taken her place, and they’ve moved on to another level of maturity that Nolie doesn’t feel comfortable with. When her sister Linden gets the starring role in the NYC Ballet’s Nutcracker, Nolie really starts to feel invisible. So she starts to take things that don’t belong to her, including a family heirloom from her Grandma’s house – telling herself it’s just temporary to make herself feel better. But it starts to spiral out of control and Nolie finds herself in an uncomfortable position of her own making.

This is a great middle grade book about navigating growing up, old and new friendships and sibling dynamics. Another great theme throughout the book is Nolie and Linden working to understand their Jewish faith, when Linden makes some hard choices while facing anti-Semitic comments at ballet.
Recommended Grades 5-7
Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Lee Remick, York Middle School