The themes and social commentary found here are gentle and organic-never heavy-handed-and the plot's antagonists are far from two-dimensional, expertly reflecting real-life human complexity for a middle-grade audience.' - Kirkus Reviews, I loved this book. This book is going to do a lot of good.', **STARRED REVIEW** 'Featuring snappy dialogue from earnest tween voices, skillful prose guides this engrossing story from start to finish. I found myself cheering for our protagonists almost immediately, and their voices drew me along through a story and a message that should be widely shared.

It's raw and heartfelt and debut author Chad Lucas has a gift for detail: the way a shirt scrunches up beneath the arms, the dialogue that would fit right into any middle school school hallway, the really poignant descriptions of anxiety and panic attacks.there is a distinctive honesty to the writing.

But if they can be brave, they might just find the best in themselves-and each other. Both boys have to decide if they're willing to risk sharing parts of themselves they'd rather hide. But when Brian and his brother run away, Ezra has no choice but to take the leap and reach out. Ezra wants to help, but he worries if he's too nice to Brian, his friends will realize that he has a crush on him. But now, some of his friends have been acting differently, and Brian seems to be pulling away. He's friends with most of the kids on his basketball team-even Brian, who usually keeps to himself. And he doesn't know if things will ever be 'normal' again. His dad tries to get him to stand up for himself and his mom helps as much as she can, but after he and his brother are placed in foster care, Brian starts having panic attacks. A moving middle-grade debut for anyone who's ever felt like they don't belong Brian has always been anxious, whether at home, or in class, or on the basketball court.

Thanks a Lot, Universe by Chad Lucas