It’s something I’ve never heard of until this book! My favorite part of this book is experiencing Sensory Processing Disorder. Lou learns that SPD is not something to hold her back, and learns to let her light shine - and sing. In this new, fancy neighborhood, it’s different from everything she has even known. Lou goes to live with her aunt and uncle, people she’s barely even heard about. Soon, a disaster ends up with the child services separating Lou and her mom. She lives with her single mom, singing to live by. Lou struggles with Sensory Processing Disorder. Summary: Tune it Out is a middle grade novel about Lou. No one gets why they terrify Lou so much. I love when middle grade tackles differences.

Thank you Jamie Sumner for this book! Thank you Celia Krampien for this adorable cover art! And thank you S&S/Atheneum for sending it to my place of work, Oxford Exchange bookstore, where I could pick it up. And in the non-book-world, where that doesn't always happen, having something to read in which it does, and adults treat a character like you with love, care, and respect. Something I really appreciated was the way that each adult in this book had a conversation with Lou that said just the right words. Plus-there's so many cool things in there, like music playlists, Sondheim's Into the Woods, and a great group of friends that sound like amazing people to be around, even if they are only in the 6th grade. This book made me feel safe and seen, but for someone who relates even more to Lou, or to any of the circumstances and conversations that take place regarding Sensory Processing Disorder, neurodivergence, wanting to feel 'normal', food insecurity, foster care and child protective services, almost narcissistic parenting, or whatever else, I could imagine it could make someone feel so much more safe and seen. I love Lou and her voice, and everything she experiences and thinks about just seems so real and down to earth. (technically none of this makes me immune to crying while reading a children's book but hey, here we are)

Tune it out book