The Girl in the Walls

Gr 4-6–In outwardly perfect families, neurodivergents are often unfairly treated as needing to be fixed, as young V experiences in Kuyatt’s latest. After a miserable and isolating school year, she must spend the summer with her hypercritical grandmother Jojo in her spotless house. An afternoon of chasing strange sounds leads her to a mysterious, impish ghost girl deep within the hidden corners of the house who may be able to shed light on how Jojo became who she is. Soon, V understands that while she is unique, she is not dissimilar from other members of her family. Readers who enjoyed the author’s Good Different will be pleased to see Kuyatt is still offering nuanced portrayals of neurodivergence. A novel in verse about generational trauma is no easy feat, but here the weight of the topic is balanced with a sense of hope and deep familial love. A tilt toward the surreal in the latter part of the story muddies some of the pacing and intent, but a satisfying ending ties it all together.