Violet and the Pie of Life

Orange County, Calif.-based math whiz Violet Summers, 12, who has "big brown eyes and peach-colored skin," feels gutted when her father goes from being her goofy, joke-telling partner in crime to disappearing from her life without explanation. After moving out one day, he fails to return her calls or emails; instead of providing sufficient clarification, her mother either works, nags, or uses "her soothy voice" to express sympathy. Despite her aversion to standing out, Violet auditions for The Wizard of Oz, hoping to avoid home and hang out with her domineering best friend McKenzie Williston, also white, at rehearsals. But when Violet secures the role of the Lion and McKenzie is cast in a minor role, Violet has mixed feelings about appearing alongside kind, popular part-white, part-Mexican Ally Ziegler ("her nice parents and cute sisters and perfect life"), who is cast as Dorothy and whom McKenzie abhors. Through charts, graphs, and diagrams, all pictured, Violet attempts to solve the mystery of her circumstances--and how she can fix them. Green sincerely conjures Violet's deep pain, confusion, frustration, and worry over shifting relationships; her frank, energetic voice carries this sensitive narrative. Ages 8-12. (Mar.)

Gr 4-7--Violet is a white, middle-class seventh grader in Orange County, and all she wants is for her life to make mathematical sense. Math is her best subject and how she understands the world; she frequently reflects on her decisions, struggles, and yearnings with pie charts, graphs, ratios, frequencies, and the order of operations. Her mathematical reflections are portrayed in the book through illuminating illustrations. But problems arise in Violet's world: Her parents have been fighting more intensely, and suddenly her dad leaves and Violet can't contact him. Also, she has mixed feelings about trying out for her school production of The Wizard of Oz with her best friend, McKenzie, but decides to stick it out when she earns the role of the Cowardly Lion. McKenzie, who tends to be negative, tries to get Violet to quit, ragging on the seemingly perfect Ally, who is cast as Dorothy, the play's lead. Violet's emotions are all over the place, and she often takes her frustration out on her well-meaning mom, who has high standards. Opportunities for Violet's race and class consciousness are dealt with on a basic level. Ally, adopted by her grandparents, struggles with the pressure she feels as a dark-skinned Dorothy. McKenzie, whose mom identifies as a "free range parent," has a run-down house and ill-fitting clothes. Throughout the book, Violet stays focused on her own small acts of courage and doesn't authentically awaken to the struggles of those around her. VERDICT A simplified yet worthy STEAM read where stories of middle school travails resonate.--Jamie Winchell, Percy Julian M.S., IL