Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Every thing by Justine Pucella Winans

After I’m reviewing books for skilled publications, I keep quiet about them on social media. I’m at all times actually excited as soon as a assessment comes out to have the ability to speak concerning the e book, lastly! Right here’s one among my most up-to-date critiques, which initially appeared in a difficulty of School Library Journal.

HarperCollins/Clarion. Apr. 2023. 384p. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9780358721642.

Gr 9 Up–A extremely anxious teen with an extended record of fears is compelled to deal with them unexpectedly (and add new ones) after they witness the homicide (Worry #3) of a neighbor. Birdwatcher Bianca, a white nonbinary lesbian not but out to their dad and mom (Worry #11), groups up with their neighbor and solely actual life pal, Anderson, who’s Black, to research a homicide, which Bianca noticed via a telescope. They shortly uncover that the homicide was not random however linked to a neighborhood cult, and observe the clues their neighbor left behind, going through peril at each flip. Working with Bianca’s crush, Chinese language American Elaine, and some others, the one manner the homicide will get solved is that if Bianca can do issues like break right into a useless man’s condo (Worry #55), provoke conversations (Worry #6), and get out of an terrible lot of harmful conditions (Worry #26). Quick-paced and properly written, the story is as a lot about discovering pleasure in exploring and discovering one’s id as it’s a few cult and conspiracy. Filled with charming and quick-witted characters, even secondary characters, just like the up-for-anything stoner Ryan and Anderson’s trans brother, Ronan, shine. Winans makes this homicide investigation heartwarming and is the proper car for Bianca’s progress and bravado, displaying them they’ll’t let their fears maintain them again (Worry #70).