Review Detail

The Pages Between Us: In the Spotlight #2

Middle Grade Fiction 175

Middle School Drama and Battle of the Books

December 18, 2016 (Updated: June 29, 2026)

Overall rating

4.5

Plot

5.0

Characters

N/A

Writing Style

N/A

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

4.0

Piper and Olivia are back, writing notes to each other about EVERYTHING in their notebook. Olivia is distraught because her librarian, Miss del Rosario, doesn't think there will be enough people on the Battle of the Books team. Olivia has enough trouble dealing with stress, so Piper agrees to help her out by making a promotional video for the Battle. It does surprisingly well, and once it gets tweeted about by young adult author Juan Verde, there are a huge number of people who want to join. The only problem that Olivia sees is that they aren't take it seriously enough and she is afraid they will lose. Piper has problems as well-- she doing so poorly in school that her parents get her a tutor, which makes her worry that they don't think as much of her as they do of her four siblings. Also, while Olivia gets a lot of coverage about the video, Piper doesn't, and it was all HER work. In the end, everything works out, but not until there is a LOT of drama!

Good Points

When I read the title, I was afraid it was yet another school play book, but having it about Battle of the Books is inspired! This would have delighted a 7th grade me. While it's a little hard to believe that the friends pass a notebook back and forth, my best friends and I certainly wrote a TON of notes in middle school. The fact that two authors worked on this together makes it even more fun. I wish I knew who wrote Olivia and who wrote Piper!

The reason that this will be popular with young readers is that there are problems, but not huge ones. The families are supportive and involved, and Piper has four brothers and sisters. That is exotically large by today's standards, and girls love to read about families that are different from their own. Not only that, but there is lots of drama. And crushes. Pretty cover. Everything I could want in realistic tween fiction. Hooray for the collaboration between these two authors!

Weaknesses:One of the girls talks to two boys on the phone one evening and is very excited about it. I don't think either of my daughters EVER talked to anyone on the phone in middle school. Seemed dated. Also, I don't know that Finding Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder would be appropriate for a middle school BOB. Of course, that doesn't mean it wouldn't get on the list.
What I really think: This is like Laura Conford for a new generation. I don't like the inclusion of text messages and paragraphs written in numbered sentences, but it will speak to the girls of today. Adore Tuesday Mourning for tween covers!