The Kate in Between

In this timely, call-to-action contemporary middle grade novel from Claire Swinarski, author of What Happens Next, a twelve-year-old girl must face herself, and the truth, after her participation in a bullying incident goes viral. 

Kate McAllister is desperate for a change. Something to hit refresh and erase the pain of her mother leaving town without her. So when a group of popular girls folds Kate into their clique, it feels like the answer to all her problems—even if it means ditching Haddie, her childhood bestie.

But when Kate’s new friends decide that Haddie is their next target, Kate becomes a passive participant in a cruel incident that could have killed Haddie…had Kate not stepped in, at the last minute, and saved her. The next day, a cell phone video of the rescue goes viral, and Kate is hailed a hero. But Kate knows the truth—she was part of the problem—and it’s only a matter of time until the full version of the video is released and everyone knows it too.

With so much at stake, Kate must decide who she wants to be: a liar, a follower, or someone greater.

• Moral Dilemma: A viral video calls her a hero for saving her best friend, Haddie. But Kate knows the truth: she was part of the bullying that put Haddie in danger.
• Family Issues: While navigating seventh grade, Kate is also dealing with the pain of her mother leaving town to chase a dream, forcing her to move in with her dad.
• Coming of Age: With her reputation on the line, Kate has to look inward and decide who she really is when nobody—or everybody—is watching.
• Complex Friendships: To fit in with the popular girls, Kate ditches her childhood bestie. Now, that choice has consequences that could change everything.