Review: A Perfect Mistake

Written by Melanie Conklin

Little, Brown and Company, 2022. Fiction. 265 pgs.

Middle school is hard for everyone but it is especially tough for Max who at age 11 is almost 6ft tall and struggles with ADHD. One summer night right before school starts Max and his best friends, Will and Joey, make a bad decision. They decide to go into the nature preserve, which is off limits, and now Will is in the hospital in a coma and Joey isn't talking to Max anymore. The last thing Max remembers about that terrible night is being scared, running home and leaving his friends behind. Max blames himself for the accident and when the police don't seem to be finding any answers Max decides to solve the mystery and find out what really happened that night.

This is an excellent book with a fast paced plot and a story that I think kids can relate to. Max is a great character who is learning to navigate middle school and changing friendships as well as learning to deal with his ADHD. I liked learning more about ADHD and the different strategies Max used to help him cope with his ADHD. A true to life story that I think middle grade readers will enjoy reading.

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