Her third novel Taking Up Space will be in stores on May 18, 2021. 'Rachel gives us an inspiring look into coping with the challenge of bracing and many of us have trouble putting into words.Alyson Gerber is the author of the critically-acclaimed, own-voices novels Braced and Focused. Readers will come away wishing they could be best friends with Rachel and believing that they, too, are stronger than they ever expected.' - Alison Cherry, author of The Classy Crooks Club ' Braced is an honest, inspirational story about perseverance in the face of adversity. A lovely and deep book that will get readers right in the heart.' - Corey Ann Haydu, author of Rules for Stealing Stars Rachel is the best kind of character - vibrant and brave, struggling and strong, and most of all impossible not to root for and relate to. 'Alyson Gerber's Braced is a rare gem of a novel: intimate and engrossing at once. Braced earns it place on the shelf with other titles promoting empathy and compassion.' - Kirby Larson, Newbery Honor-winning author of Hattie Big Sky and Audacity Jones Steals the Show 'Rachel's story is about more than straightening a spine it's about expanding the human heart. 'A masterfully constructed and highly empathetic debut about a different kind of acceptance.' - Booklist, starred review Comparisons to Judy Blume's Deenie might be inevitable, but Rachel stands admirably on her own.' - Kirkus Reviews, starred review 'The author doesn't diminish Rachel's difficulties, but at heart her story is uplifting. In a starred review, Booklist called Alyson Gerber's first novel, Braced, 'a masterfully constructed and highly empathetic debut about a different kind of acceptance.' With Focused, she explores even further how, when life gives you a challenge, the best way to face it is with an open mind, an open heart, and the open support of the people around you. But that's what she's going to have to do, to find a way to focus. She's just not sure how you can fix a problem that's all in your head. When Clea fails one too many tests, her parents take her to be tested, and she finds out that she has ADHD, which means her attention is all over the place instead of where it needs to be.Ĭlea knows life can't continue the way it's been going. It's starting to be a problem - not just in school, but when Clea's playing chess or just hanging out with her best friend. but how can she do that when the people around her are always chewing gum loudly or making other annoying noises?

She knows she can't just say whatever thought comes into her head. Following Braced, which had three starred reviews,comes a story of a girl caught between her love of chess and her ADHD.Ĭlea can't control her thoughts.

Alyson gerber focused