After Zero


by Christina Collins
Lexile:  630
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Elise has recently started middle school after being homeschooled by her mother for many years.  8th grade is like nothing Elise has ever experienced before and it seems that every time she opens her mouth to speak, she shares a secret or says something that makes someone mad.  So Elise decides that it is safer if she just doesn't talk.  But not talking leads to all kinds of other problems, especially with Elise's mom.  She knows that her mom is hiding something too, but doesn't know how to ask her what it is?  Elise is going to have to learn how to communicate with her mom and with her friends if things are ever going to get better.

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