Title: Linus and Etta Could Use a Win
Author: Caroline Huntoon
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication date: May 7, 2024
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Summary
Linus is the new kid at school and trying to fly under the radar. After recently coming out as trans at his previous school and dealing with all of the attention that came with it, he’s looking forward to being an anonymous teenager. Etta has always been the odd one out at school, and she’s fine with being a loner ever since breaking up with her best friend. At least, that’s what she keeps telling herself.
After an encounter with Etta’s ex-best friend Marigold, Linus is now a part of a (unknown) bet to get elected as student body president. But as Etta spends more time with Linus, she realizes she genuinely likes him as a friend. And she’s afraid that friendship will disappear when she tells him the truth.
Review: Linus and Etta Could Use a Win
Thanks to Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Linus and Etta Could Use a Win by Caroline Huntoon! It’s my year of focusing on reading more middle grade, and this one sounded absolutely adorable. I am happy to say that the story and the writing definitely didn’t disappoint.
I believe this is Huntoon’s second book, and I think I’m definitely going to have to go back and read their first one! The writing style of this hits the tone of a middle grade book right on, and all of the emotions and interactions absolutely felt so genuine. I can see middle grade readers of all kinds relating to both Linus and Etta.
Middle school feels like such a tumultuous time for friendships, and that’s captured in this book as well. There’s that feeling of loneliness that feels unique to middle school in the fact that you don’t know where you fit in. It’s a time of so many changes, and adding extra changes on top of that? It just compounds the loneliness.
If you love middle grade books, especially queer middle grade books, definitely check this one out when it comes out this May!
4/5 stars