Paper Heart - Hardcover

Aileen Arrington is the author of the middle-grade novel Camp of the Angel, a 2004 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People. She is also the illustrator of two books for younger readers: Close to Home: A Story of the Polio Epidemic by Lydia Weaver and Stella's Bull by Frances Arrington. Ms. Arrington lives in Folly Beach, South Carolina.

Grade 4-6–When Nadia was five, her father had a heart attack and died, and she found out that she, too, had a bad heart. Consequently, her mother has always restricted her activities. Now in sixth grade, she has no friends, but has a well-developed fantasy life. When her teacher announces tryouts for a class play, Nadia thinks that she will finally be able to do something that will make the popular girls notice her. She amazes everyone with her audition, and is bitterly disappointed when she does not get a role. She tries to become friends with Carmalee, the class misfit, but Mama squashes the relationship. Fed up with her almost-existence, Nadia rebels. While at a doctor's appointment, she peeks at her chart and discovers that she simply has a heart murmur and can lead a normal life. Eventually, it becomes clear that Mama is suffering from emotional problems. She is sent to a rest home while Nadia stays with her aunt. No longer stuck in her 'sick girl' box, she stands up to the popular girls when they make fun of Carmalee. This brief story wrestles with too many themes, including physical and mental illness, family relationships, peer pressure, and bullying. The writing is choppy, Nadia's discovery of the truth about her health is unrealistic, and the ending is simplistic.–Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD
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