Will on the Inside

April 15, 2023
Grades 5-8 In Eliopulos' (The Fascinators, 2020) latest, there are few things middle-schooler Will loves more than soccer. But his time on the field is threatened when he discovers he has Crohn's disease, like the book's author. On top of being incurable, Will's condition comes with painful, sometimes embarrassing symptoms and forces him to find new ways to connect with his peers, which leads him to begin questioning his autonomy, his place in his family, his sexuality, and his community's attitude toward gay people. Character-driven with a much-conflicted narrator, this brings a conversational tone and a gentle approach to difficult topics while still clearly depicting the conflict of Will's frustration and discomfort. Readers will appreciate the variety of perspectives from the people in Will's life and the empathetic narrator at the helm; the reality the story reflects will reach a broad swath of readers, from jocks to gaming nerds to those exploring religion. Hand to fans of Maulik Pancholy's The Best at It (2019) and Rob Harrell's Wink (2020).

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May 1, 2023
Newly diagnosed with Crohn's disease, Will McKeachie has an explanation for his stomach issues and pain but a new set of problems. A passionate center midfielder, he is heartbroken about an enforced break from soccer. Twelve-year-old Will soon becomes friends with Griffin Miller, a gay classmate who loves theater and video games, and begins to develop new interests and perspectives as he navigates his illness. He also faces issues he hadn't previously encountered: recognizing that his friends veer into bullying and disregard his needs and questioning his own sexuality. Thoughtful, introverted Will's first-person narration is often funny and takes time examining his daily life. His Georgia town and his Baptist church, in which his family is heavily involved, are realistic in their bigotry, but the people around Will are largely decent even when they fail in their intentions. The story takes an intersectional approach that avoids the perils of making Will's disease and queerness lessons; his identities blend into each other in organic ways. But what is captured here most compellingly are the struggles of developing a chronic illness at a young age, borne from Eliopulos' own experiences: the gulf between friends before and after diagnosis, well-meaning concern that becomes patronization, and rarely described specific frustrations of navigating a healthy world as a sick kid. As Will's reality changes, he remains--and becomes--fully himself. Main characters read White. Warm and nuanced. (author's note, resources) (Fiction. 8-12)

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Starred review from May 8, 2023
Based on lived experience, Eliopulos (The Fascinators) presents an honest, sophisticated look at the myriad emotions surrounding chronic illness and growing up “not straight” in a religious Georgia town. When his recent Crohn’s disease diagnosis forces him to step back from his soccer team, seventh grader Will McKeachie worries he’ll lose his “built-in friend group,” including best friend Henry. While waiting for medication to curb his symptoms, Will escapes the uncomfortable attention of sympathetic acquaintances via an online fantasy video game that he plays with classmate Griffin Miller, who’s similarly avoiding the spotlight after enduring homophobic bullying following his publicly asking Henry to the school dance. When Will realizes he’s attracted to Griffin, memories of the history of his soccer teammates’ own homophobic bullying prompt Will to suppress his romantic feelings. His worsening Crohn’s symptoms, coupled with emotionally charged conversations surrounding sexuality both at school and in his Baptist youth group, exacerbate his fears that people like Griffin—and maybe Will himself—will never be accepted. Eliopulos forges a hopeful tone through conversational first-person narration, multifaceted friendships, and a familial church community striving toward inclusivity, even as the narrative confronts the psychological impact of homophobia and religious trauma on queer youth. Main characters cue as white. Resources conclude. Ages 8–12.

Starred review from June 1, 2023

Gr 4-7-Seventh grader Will McKeachie is a mid-field soccer player who has a tight-knit group of friends from the team. Despite having an acorn for a mascot, the team has made it to the championship tournament. After his doctor ordered a colonoscopy, Will is diagnosed with Crohn's disease. Crohn's has had Will visiting the bathroom more often than he'd care to admit. Along with the diagnosis, comes the bad news that he may need to sit on the sidelines while his body is healing and adjusting to new medications. Modifying his schedule allows Will the opportunity to take a step back and reevaluate his friend group and find other activities that he enjoys. Mirror Realms, a fantasy video game, is exactly the diversion Will was looking for and, along with it, comes a new friend named Griffin Miller. Admitting that he's made a friend of Griffin is not something Will is sure he wants to share with his friends, as they are abuzz because Griffin asked Will's best friend, Henry, to the spring dance. Additionally, Will is confused about some things he's heard from his church group, the Weekend Warriors. Relatable, real, and utterly engrossing, Eliopulos's writing will have readers hooked from the get-go. Life in a middle school, a new disease diagnosis, and sexual identity are the common themes of this coming-of-age novel. VERDICT A first purchase for all libraries where unforgettable reads are sought.-Tracy Cronce

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