Great kids-tween-teen book about an avid soccer playing girl, who needs to wear a back brace to correct her scoliosis as she is starting her 7th grade year. It's a fast read, very engaging, hits many useful themes well -- friend drama, soccer dedication, beginning romances/crushes, taking care of friends -- the friends who take care of Rachel and the things she does in return -- one of her besties is grieving the relatively recent loss of a parent by suicide. Hits the right notes on parent conflict as well -- Rachel is very hurt/frustrated with her mother's attitude toward the brace, which is predicated on her mother's own experience as a young person with scoliosis, and her ongoing unhappiness that her brace didn't work, so she had to get surgery. Really liked that the theme of the book is how to let people know what you need, and how to grow stronger through difficult situations. That is done with a light and very believable hand. Based on the author's experience and includes further resources in the back on living with scoliosis and wearing visible bracing. ( )

Good for perspective and diversity. ( )

Knocked this out in about two hours. This is such an important book for middle school kids to read. It addresses the fears and challenges of being labeled "other" and is heartfelt and real. Rachel is a seventh grader who likes to play soccer with her friends, dress up, watch girly movies, and have a good time. She's a pretty average kid, that is except for her special doctor appointments twice a year. She has scoliosis and they have to measure her spine and keep an eye on her. No big deal. But one visit the summer before school starts, it becomes a very big deal. Her back is getting worse and the doctor says she has to wear a brace. For 23 hours a day. How will she be able to stay on the soccer team? What clothes can she wear? How will she ever talk to her crush or go to school? She gets made fun of, struggles with soccer, and doesn't feel like her mom is listening to her. Clearly it's not smooth sailing but with the help of her pregnant mother, her dad, and her friends she learns how to adjust and how to make the best of an unfortunate situation. All kids should have to read this and learn a thing or two about empathy. Great story! ( )

I was interested to read a book about a young girl with scoliosis as my mother had a shocking curve in her spine, and often used to tell horror stories about the brace she had to wear as a young teenager. I think the author gave a realistic portrayal of the struggles Rachel had to face when she had to wear her brace for twenty-three hours a day.

At times, I did find Rachel a bit too whiny, but I admired her determination not to let the brace affect her love of playing soccer. She worked hard to change her style to accommodate the limitations the brace put upon it body. However, it was disappointing how many of her classmates treated her once she got her brace, and sadly mum said she was teased and put-down because of her brace.

Another negative was Rachel's mother. There were times I wanted to shake some sense into her. She kept telling Rachel how lucky she was that she had the brace, but she never took into consideration, until the end, the insecurities Rachel felt wearing it.

Overall, I liked that "Braced" highlighted a medical issue many readers would know nothing about. Aimed at a younger audience, this book stresses the importance of being true to yourself. ( )