Lyla is thrilled when her seventh-grade ELA class begins a daily creative writing project. For the past year sheโs been writing a brilliant fantasy novel in her head, and hereโs her chance to get it on paper! The plot is super complicated, with battle scenes and witches, although basically itโs a semi-autobiographical story about an overlooked girl who has to rescue her beautiful, highly accomplished older sister.
But writing a fantasy novel turns out to be harder than simply imagining one, and Lyla finds herself stuck, experiencing what she realizes is writerโs block. Part of the problem is that sheโs trying to impress certain peopleโlike Rania, her best friend whoโs pulling away, and Ms. Bowman, the coolest teacher at school. Plus, thereโs the pressure of meeting the deadline for the town writing contest, where Lyla is determined to win first prize. When Lyla shares her writing problems with her superstar older sister, Dahlia, she learns Dahliaโs big secret, which is causing a very different type of writerโs block.
Can Lyla rescue her surprisingly vulnerable sister, both on the page and in real life? Award-winning author Barbara Dee returns with a novel about creativity, friendship, familyโand how to find the words you need most.
โFor years now, Barbara Dee has written one exceptional novel after another. Unstuck may be her best yet. Lylaโs story is at once unique and universal, and readers will finish the book feeling inspired and empowered to take control of,and share, their stories.โโJarrett Lerner, author of A Work in Progress
A Junior Library Guild Selection