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Kayla Miller. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $24.99 (192p) ISBN 978-1-328-70735-2;

Olive has lots of friends at school, but when Mr. Florez announces the fifth grade talent show, no one invites her to be part of an act. Feeling abandoned, Olive experiences an existential crisis about her place in the universe, complete with anxiety dreams, advice sessions with her aunt, and tense confrontations with her mother. She’s confused about how to address her feelings of alienation without begging to be included, but eventually, she finds inspiration for her role in the show, as well as insight into how she fits in with her friends. Thick lines, pastel colors, and uncluttered panels help make the story easy and enjoyable to follow. In both the text and art, Miller’s debut authentically conveys nuanced challenges and everyday moments of childhood, offering a guide for kids navigating friendship, family, and goals. Ages 10–12. [em](Jan.) [/em]