All About Mia

Gr 9 Up—Sixteen-year-old Mia Campbell-Richardson is a self-professed messy girl who does and says all the wrong things. She is the middle daughter of Jamaican-Irish common-law parents, Jason and Nikki. She does not know what her niche is, unlike her oldest sister, archaeology student Grace, and youngest sister, swimming prodigy Audrey. She is seen but not heard by Mum and Dad. She studies too little and beats herself up, especially when it comes to her massive Afro and short stature. She resents growing up in the shadow of Grace, who can never do any wrong in their parents' eyes. When Grace suddenly returns home from an archaeological dig in Greece, the family learns about her pregnancy. Mia sees this as an opportunity for Grace to get into trouble. She wants it to be all about Mia. Instead, Mum and Dad allow Sam Castle, the doctor boyfriend of Grace and the father of their unborn child, to stay at their home. Mia goes down a road of self-destruction. The tumultuous sibling rivalry takes an unexpected turn when two major events occur. Williamson has created one of the truest and honest characters YA fiction has not seen in a long time. Her acerbic witty one-liners and snaps will keep readers chuckling. The reference to Netflix shows and social media are fresh and current. Williamson has created a tale in which an interracial family takes center page and deals with universal family issues.