The Thing I'm Most Afraid of

An important story about anxiety, change, and courage.

In 1993, 12-year-old Becca's anxiety disorder makes her nervous about many things--developing cancer from an airport X-ray machine or salmonella from undercooked food--but she is determined to visit her father in Vienna for the summer. While he works during the day, Becca embarks on a sightseeing tour with Felix, the quiet son of her dad's girlfriend, and Sara, a Muslim au pair from Bosnia, all implied-white. Though Sara and Felix are patient, Becca's anxiety, and the embarrassment she experiences from it, is a daily struggle. Hearing about Sara's escape from war-torn Sarajevo, though, inspires Becca to create a list of things she wants to accomplish, despite her fears. Becca is an engaging and sympathetic narrator, and Levine (The Jigsaw Jungle) writes her experience of anxiety with nuance and sensitivity. The past is never forgotten in Vienna, and Levine threads the city's history into this novel, in some ways more successfully than others: a historically accurate protest concerning a rise in nationalism interrupts the tale's momentum, while Sara's recollections of the Bosnian War are heartrendingly effective. Ages 10-up. Agent: Kathy Green, Kathryn Green Literary. (June)

Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 5 Up--In this historical novel set in 1993, fears and anxieties are taking over 12-year-old Becca Greenburg's life. She has understanding (divorced) parents who support her and her therapist's goals for conquering her severe anxiety. A summer trip to stay with her relocated father in Vienna, Austria, is not what Becca had in mind. There she meets Felix, another 12-year-old with his own worries. Over the course of the summer, they are guided through the city by Sara, a Bosnian refugee from Sarajevo. Sara has her own fears since her mother and younger brother were left behind in Sarajevo, under attack by the oppressive Serbians. As Becca and Felix overcome their fears (different foods, crowds, bicycles, making friends, etc.), they learn that having and being a support for others builds inner strength. After a harrowing detention for Sara, they help her because their love creates family. They attend a historic pro-refugee rally to protest against a growing fear-driven, Austria-first sentiment. By supporting Sara's search for her family, Becca focuses on others' bigger fears and concerns. Her anxieties do not vanish, but she learns how to live in spite of them. VERDICT A slice of history that echoes another country's struggle with anti-immigrant sentiment.--Lisa Crandall, formerly at the Capital Area Dist. Lib., Holt, MI

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Praise for The Thing I'm Most Afraid Of

"An engaging historical novel with an unusual, vividly realized setting. . . A moving resolution." —Booklist

"In this thoughtful novel populated with well-developed characters, Levine slowly and realistically reveals Becca's growth. . . An important story about anxiety, change, and courage." —Kirkus Reviews

"Becca is an engaging and sympathetic narrator, and Levine (The Jigsaw Jungle) writes her experience of anxiety with nuance and sensitivity. The past is never forgotten in Vienna, and Levine threads the city's history into this novel . . . while Sara's recollections of the Bosnian War are heartrendingly effective." —Publisher's Weekly

"In this historical novel set in 1993, fears and anxieties are taking over 12-year-old Becca Greenburg's life. . . As Becca . . . learn[s] that having and being a support for others builds inner strength . . . her anxieties do not vanish, but she learns how to live in spite of them. VERDICT: A slice of history that echoes another country's struggle with anti-immigrant sentiment." —School Library Journal