Seventh grade can be tough. Fortunately, Matilda has two good friends and a loving family. Unfortunately, she also has a giant collection of pig memorabilia that she no longer loves, boy trouble, and a mother who has developed agoraphobia. Tavia Gilbert’s girlish tones portray the emotions of 13-year-olds perfectly: the fast, eager speech when talking about an enthusiasm, the hesitancy when talking to a special boy, the sad whispers when referring to a sick sibling. When Gilbert turns her vocal talents to the adults in Matilda’s life, she captures their world-weariness in a raspy growl or a sigh. Gilbert makes the most of this slight coming-of-age story.—AudioFile Magazine