First published 1996
Sidda faces an exhausting dilemma that defines her daily existence. She wants to fit in with the popular crowd at school, but she also tries to live up to the strict expectations of her Catholic upbringing. These two worlds pull her in opposite directions constantly. Every social situation becomes a test of her values. Should she go along with what the cool kids are doing, or stick to what the nuns taught her about right and wrong? Her family adds another layer of complexity to her struggles. Sidda lives surrounded by colorful characters like Shep, Vivi, and Willetta, each with their own strong opinions about how she should behave. Their voices fill her head with conflicting advice. The pressure builds as she tries to please everyone while staying true to herself. This becomes the central battle of her young life. Wells captures the authentic voice of a girl caught between competing loyalties, showing how the desire to belong can clash with deeply held beliefs.
Genres: fiction, american-fiction, coming-of-age, contemporary, adolescence, family-drama
Vibes: emotional-atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, fish-out-of-water
224 pages · Paperback · Harper Paperbacks