Girl on the Ferris Wheel by Julie Halpern (review)

Halpern, Julie Girl on the Ferris Wheel; by Julie Halpern and Len Vlahos. Feiwel, 2021 [368p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781250169396 $18.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9781250169389 $9.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 8-10

Sophomores Eliana and Dmitri may be an unlikely couple; she's the spunky but insecure introvert, while he's the drummer in a punk band. A simple spark of interest quickly flames into more, though, and their future looks warm and bright. Then Ellie's depression and anxiety threatens to overwhelm her, Dmitri's support turns smothering, and a few ill-conceived grand gestures drive a wedge between them. As Ellie works to manage her own mental health, both are left to wonder if there will be room again for friendship, and maybe more. The dual-authored narrative, with Ellie and Dmitri narrating in turn, provides the leads with unique voices, and the novel wisely gives them time to emerge as individuals before making them a couple. As a whole, it crafts an emotionally genuine portrait of both Eliana's spiraling distress and Dmitri's struggle to understand that it isn't his job to save the damsel. With its mix of the heartwarming and heartbreaking, this will be a strong what's-next for fans of Green's Turtles All the Way Down (BCCB 1/18) and Dugan's Verona Comics (BCCB 4/20).