11 May Review: Maid For It
Maid For It
Written by Jamie Sumner
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2023
ISBN: 9781665905770 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 9781665905794 (eBook)
$23.99 (hardcover)
$11.99 (eBook)
240 pages
Ages: 10 years old and up
Review by: Erin Dunlop
After a car accident leaves her eccentric, recovered-addict mother housebound, 12-year-old Franny secretly takes over her mother’s cleaning business. She is constantly terrified that her mother will relapse or that they’ll lose their home again, while also dealing with typical tween challenges like bullying and first crushes. Having been forced to grow up very fast, Franny struggles with asking for help and being honest about her feelings. Maid For It gives readers an honest and empathetic look into the life of a child with an addict parent, as the mother-daughter duo struggle and succeed together. It is at times heartbreaking, but also full of love, second chances, and hope. By the end of the book, Franny realizes that she can, in fact, lean on the adults in her life, including her mom, and that she doesn’t have to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders alone. Accessible despite its challenging themes, Maid For It is an excellent, conversation-starting middle grade novel for kids aged 10 years and more.