In the Role of Brie Hutchens...

A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of 2020

An own-voices LGBTQ novel from the acclaimed author of Hurricane Season, about eighth grader Brie, who learns how to be true to herself and to her relationships with family, friends, and faith.

Introducing Brie Hutchens: soap opera super fan, aspiring actor, and so-so student at her small Catholic school. Brie has big plans for eighth grade. She's going to be the star of the school play and convince her parents to let her go to the performing arts high school. But when Brie's mom walks in on her accidentally looking at some possibly inappropriate photos of her favorite actress, Brie panics and blurts out that she's been chosen to crown the Mary statue during her school's May Crowning ceremony. Brie's mom is distracted with pride--but Brie's in big trouble: she has not been chosen. No one has, yet. Worse, Brie has almost no chance to get the job, which always goes to a top student.

Desperate to make her lie become truth, Brie turns to Kennedy, the girl everyone expects to crown Mary. But sometimes just looking at Kennedy gives Brie butterflies. Juggling her confusing feelings with the rapidly approaching May Crowning, not to mention her hilarious non-star turn in the school play, Brie navigates truth and lies, expectations and identity, and how to--finally--make her mother really see her as she is.

Author: Nicole Melleby
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Published: 06/30/2020
Pages: 272
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.40w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9781616209070
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5
Point Value: 8
Interest Level: Middle Grade Plus
Quiz #/Name: 508102 / In the Role of Brie Hutchens...


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 01/15/2020 pg. 109
Booklist 03/01/2020 pg. 56
School Library Journal 03/01/2020 pg. 105
Horn Book Magazine 03/01/2020 pg. 85
Publishers Weekly 03/16/2020
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 04/01/2020
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2020 - Superior,Well Above Average

About the Author
Nicole Melleby is a born-and-bred Jersey girl with a passion for storytelling. She studied creative writing at Fairleigh Dickinson University and currently teaches creative writing and literature courses with a handful of local universities. When she's not writing, she can be found browsing the shelves at her local comic shop or watching soap operas with a cup of tea.