My daughter just finished “Just for You to Know” by Cheryl Harness, and it’s one she actually talked about after. It centers on Carmen, who’s thirteen and the oldest in a really big family like, six kids and another on the way. She’s trying to figure out who she is and what she wants to do, especially when she feels a bit lost in the shuffle of all those siblings. If your kid feels like they’re always balancing family responsibilities with their own life, this one might hit home.
I was surprised how much my daughter stuck with this one. Usually, she breezes through books or gets distracted, but she kept picking this up without me reminding her. She mentioned that Carmen's family felt super real, especially how crazy busy things got with so many younger siblings. The writing is pretty straightforward, not a lot of complicated metaphors or anything, which made it an easy read for her to follow on her own. It’s a good length too, not a super quick read but also not so long it felt like a slog. There aren't any pictures, but it didn't seem to bother her at all.
For those tracking Accelerated Reader, this one clocks in at an AR Level of 4.8, and it’s a pretty solid nine points. My fifth grader tackled it without any issues, and I think it would be fine for most kids from about fourth grade up to maybe seventh or eighth. The word count is 58,552, which makes it a substantial read for that age group, not a short story disguised as a novel, so those 9 points feel earned.
This book would be great for a kid who enjoys realistic fiction, especially if they have siblings or just like stories about everyday family life and growing up. If your kid appreciates a protagonist who’s trying to find her voice and deal with big changes, Carmen’s journey here is very relatable. Maybe skip this if your child only likes fantasy or fast-paced adventure; this is more of a quiet, character-driven story.