Review: Honestly Elliott

By Gillian McDunn

New York: Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2022. Fiction. 263 pgs.

Of all the places in his life, Elliott feels most at home in the kitchen. Between his ADHD and his parent's divorce, Elliott often feels out of place and extra-disorganized. But when he's in the kitchen cooking, everything clicks into place for him. Which is good because since Elliott's best friend moved away, he's been feeling more lost than usual. A mysterious incident -- which he refuses to talk about -- has caused extra tension with his father and landed Elliot in therapy. Meanwhile at school, his lunchtime friend group blocks him from joining their group for a class project because of his ADHD and he ends up partnered with ultra-organized, ultra-popular Maribel Martinez. As they plan their project -- baking and selling gluten-free pies -- Elliott realizes he isn't the only one seeking out their true self.

This realistic fiction novel will appeal to readers with a passion for cooking or anyone looking for a slice of life story about a realistic and likeable kid. This book is especially well-paced and well-crafted with a satisfying ending that sees the main cast of characters all experience growth and character development. Elliott comes across as a sensitive character and his relationship with his father, though rocky at first, is inspiring as the two work on communicating with each other.

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