You should order a signed copy and go to their virtual launch from The Curious Reader in Glen Rock, NJ. Their next middle grade novel, How to Become a Planet, is out from Algonquin on May 25, 2021. Nicole is a Shattering Stigmas veteran, and I’m so appreciative they continued the conversation with me.
And they are absolutely killing it with regards to writing diverse fiction about queerness, mental illness and the intersections of both in middle grade. They are a true role model in how to approach writing for kids in the middle grade space. They’re the kind of fellow writing friend that pushes you to do better craft-wise. I loved their debut, Hurricane Season, and over the past six months or so, Nicole has become a true friend. I met Nicole in May 2019 just as I was beginning to think about how to expand my commitment to discussing mental health online and elsewhere. We’re kicking off this expanded version of Shattering Stigmas with an interview with my friend and middle grade extraordinaire, Nicole Melleby. I hope to use this space on my website as a place to host bloggers, friends and authors to talk about mental health openly, discuss craft with other writers and push the conversation past awareness into conversations around advocacy and accessibility. 2021 has been a trying year and it’s been my goal to bring Shattering Stigmas back in some form throughout the year instead of keeping it as a two week event that only happens once a year in October. Her struggles and those of her family seem authentic, their interactions realistic, and Brie’s desire to be really seen and loved for who she is will ring true with many middle school readers.Shattering Stigmas is BACK. Unlike her best friend, who crushes on every boy in class, Brie finds herself attracted to Kennedy this causes her to wrestle with very confusing emotions, to have some tense conversations with her parents, and even to question her Catholic faith.
She knows that the honor will probably go to someone who excels in class-someone like the lovely Kennedy. When she is caught looking at suggestive pictures of a pretty soap-opera star, Brie lies about being chosen to crown the Mary statue during the very important May Crowning Ceremony at her school. But her father has lost his job and works as a custodian in her school in return for tuition, and her mom has to work even more hours to help make ends meet, so that school may be out of reach. Brie wants to be an actress like the ones she and her mother watch in the soap operas every afternoon, to land the lead role in the school play, and to attend the Theater High School next year. Gr 6-8–Eighth grade is proving to be a difficult year for Brie Hutchens as she negotiates crushes, play tryouts, friendships, parental tensions, awakening sexuality, and a need to do better on her schoolwork in her small Catholic middle school.
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