Meena Meets Her Match by Karla Manternach is a sweet treat of a read that I highly recommend for young readers and their parents. Meena is a relatable main character with her own set of quirky traits that make her instantly likable. From the ups and downs of friendship and the misunderstandings of elementary school to an even bigger worry, this story takes us on Meena’s journey in a skillfully written way. The vivid descriptions will transport grown-ups back to the classroom! The illustrations of Rayner Alencar give us Meena in her full-color glory and add a flair that makes this book an extra-special kind of fun.

I had the opportunity to read a NetGalley digital ARC of this middle grade novel in exchange for a review. This realistic fiction book tells the story of a precocious, think-outside-the-box third grade girl who is more interested in making crafts from items she finds in trash bins than working on her spelling or handwriting. At the beginning of the story, Meena is experiencing some friendship drama and is super excited about a class project to design a Valentine box. But as Meena starts to experience some strange things - lost time in which she doesn’t remember what has occurred, dizziness, stomachaches – the reader comes to understand that there is a serious medical issue at play.
Meena experiences a seizure which results in an emergency run to the hospital, a series of uncomfortable medical tests, and being watched constantly by everyone for signs that she might have another one. After much worry, Meena and her parents find out that she has epilepsy. And once they get this diagnosis, there is a sense of relief and hope that it will be easily managed.
I think that it’s terrific that this book has been written. I really don’t know much about epilepsy, as I’ve never really experienced anyone in my family or my classrooms that have dealt with this condition. The author folds a lot of useful information into the context of an easy-to-read narrative that just about all kids of this age group will recognize: the ups and downs of life in third grade with behavior clips moved up and down, homework assignments, and recess. Young readers will be able to empathize with Meena’s worries as she undergoes CT scans, an MRI, getting shots, and feeling like her parents and teachers are constantly spying on her. The author also includes a note at the end the tells readers about her experiences with her daughter, who is like Meena and has epilepsy also. This is definitely a book that should be shared with kids in grades 3 and up.

Such a delightful and heartfelt book! Meena is wondrously flawed yet totally likable. It was great fun to spend time in the mind of such a creative, complicated, earnest and messy kid. I was rooting for her the whole way. Meena Meets Her Match shows young readers that things aren't always what they seem and that sometimes it takes a bumpy, twisty-turny and oh-so-colorful ride to get to the truth.

Is it a race? A contest? A competition? If so, count Meena in! This spunky girl is packed with energy and color and a ambitious spirit that wants to win. She loves colors so much she’s sure to pack in a good variety into her meals every day (obviously sprinkles are better than vegetables), and collects shiny treasures (out of recycling bins) to upcycle. Her free-spirit attitude and that rainbow keep her going!

Lately Meena’s life isn’t so packed with color. Her best friend Sofia just stopped playing with her, and things are feeling a bit gray like the muddy winter thaw outside. On top of that, odd things start happening to Meena—her teacher punishes her for something she doesn’t remember doing. Her arms start disobeying her. One morning, she doesn’t feel colorful at all, and a bit later she wakes up in a hospital. After she returns home, all the adults in her life start spying on her and won’t leave her alone.

The quirky black and white illustrations in this story feel like they were pulled from an action-packed animated film, and keep up with the explosively punchy pace of the story. Meena Meets Her Match is a creative and positive story about the moment Meena is diagnosed with epilepsy, making it a fantastically important read for friends, classmates, or siblings of kiddos who experience seizures. The tale beautifully explores family relationships, including the one Meena has with her little sister Rosie and her cousin Eli, and celebrates free-spirited creativity and the power of friendship when life has its difficulties.

Readers filled with inventive creativity will find inspiration in this punchy middle grade debut with such a loveable main character that moves it well on its way to being a much-loved winning series! Readers will want to see more of Meena!

Thank you to the author (who is from my home state of Wisconsin-which is why she writes so well about muddy winter thaws!) and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. And it is honestly fabulous!

Cross posted in February at https://lindsaymaeveschubert.wordpress.com

What I Liked
Meena is immediately lovable and unique. Her descriptions of color and how she interprets things is so fun to read, and you get a sense of her personality right away. Her family is wonderful as well; there were a few tearjerker moments with Meena and her sister, or with her parents, that were just so sweet to read. The illustrations are a hoot as well!

What I Would Have Liked to See
I can’t think of anything. Just a very cute book all the way through!

My Favorite!
Meena has seizures and has to come to grips with what may be a very serious medical condition in her future. I loved how this wasn’t shied away from and was tackled head-on with very accurate descriptions of what it’s like to get an MRI and CT scan, and how that must feel for a kid Meena’s age to go through. I would think that kids who are having a similar experience to Meena would find Meena very relatable.

TL;DR
Spunky kid who loves every color of the rainbow must overcome a serious medical condition while also coping with her best friend inexplicably not wanting to spend time with her anymore. Sweet family dynamics, direct medical discussion, and Meena's unique point of view make this the perfect book for middle grade readers!

Meena is a creative and enthusiastic third-grader navigating the challenges of friendship and life. Her best friend no longer wants to hang out with her and she feels slighted. In addition, she has a scary experience at breakfast one morning that results in a trip to the hospital. Meena learns she has had a seizure and is trying to understand why everyone know seems overly concerned with her well-being. Meena is a true-to-life character with experiences readers can both can relate to and learn from. This is a delightful read.

In this story we see elementary school student Meena deal with friendship, anxiety, and other things as she and her family learn what is causing her to have seizures.

Meena is spunky and artistic. She sees art where ever she can. But she's been having blackouts and waking up disoriented. Her best friend is more focused on her studies than hanging out with her. Meena feels left behind. Her teacher gives everyone an art project. Decorate your Valentine's Day box, Meena is going to go all out! This is a great coming to terms book, Meena needs to learn that things aren't what they seem. Her friend didn't leave her behind she just having trouble when her homework, and her blackouts are something to do with her brain. A great read for any girl or boy who may be going through the same things as Meena.