Thank you to HarperCollins Children’s Books and NetGalley for providing an advance e-proof, in exchange for an honest review.

Candidly Cline, by Kathryn Ormsbee, is the first middle-grade LGBTQIA novel I have ever read, and its very existence delights me. Young kids who are just becoming aware of their own sexuality need to see themselves represented in fiction. That the author dedicated the book to her wife adds a little extra bit of authenticity—this is an Own Voices book.

Cline (named for Patsy) is an aspiring singer-songwriter who lives with her mother and grandmother and attends middle school in Kentucky. She adores country music, but doesn’t have her family’s full support behind following her dream. Her mother works hard as a waitress to support the family, and is pragmatic about whether it’s possible to make a living as a musician. Her grandmother adores Cline and her music…and is beginning to suffer from a bit of dementia.

When she finds out about a songwriting workshop for students, she knows she has to attend—and we soon learn how far she’ll go to make it happen. Her journey to the workshop is filled with both roadblocks—and unexpected support.

Cline knows she likes girls, and as her friends at school become interested in boys, this creates new challenges, particularly after she comes out to her best friend. Fortunately, she still has her music. But will she and her partner be able to work together? And will she be able to complete the workshop?

A realistic portrayal of the roller coaster that is middle school, the struggles of a loving family, and the importance of the arts in education, to a country western soundtrack that just might include a queer first love story!

Great book. I loved the storyline. Some difficult challenges handled respectfully and truthfully. My teenaged daughter would love this book.

This book is perfect.
Cline is the kind of hero you have to root for to make her dream of being a musician come true. She makes mistakes and there are bumps along the way but she is so sweet and earnest and her crush on Sylvia is heartwarming. I absolutely loved it.

Loved this book about an aspiring songwriter, Cline, who has a lot to deal with: a grandmother with Alzheimer’s, lying to her mom while sneaking away to a songwriting course, and admitting to herself she likes girls. As Cline realizes she has to tell her mom she lied, she knows you have to take risks. She knows you can have music and love together something that has run in her family. She can make her own music even when it’s not easy.