This was such a refreshing read! Middle-grade fiction sometimes seeks to be affirming for middle-graders without actually hitting the mark, since it’s tricky to write from the perspective of a kid as a not-kid. Vernon’s “Castle Hangnail,” however, has the voice of a 12-year-old girl from start to finish. Molly is an endearing, quirky, trusting, insecure adolescent who is doing what most of us do at her age – looking to fit in somewhere!

Slight spoiler: she finds her place and her people.

Four and a half stars for the voice and the hope that “Castle Hangnail” gives every reader who is or has been slightly unsure of themselves but still manages to hold on to their goodness. Would recommend!