Book cover of 'The Independents' by Antoinette H. Jones with a blue backpack surrounded by various hands set against a yellow background with locker illustrations.
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Independents Unite!

A middle-grade chapter book

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Twelve-year-old Avery figures that learning to make friends, keeping big secrets, and getting homework turned in on time should be no problem – just like leaving elementary school and going to junior high is no big deal. Kids do this stuff every day.

But 7th grade is a lot to deal with, and starting Kentland Junior High School is only the first thing on the list. Avery and her new friends Christopher, Skylar, Damien, and Natalie have to learn to navigate new teachers and new friends, deal with family stuff, keep big secrets, and find a missing journal - and that’s all before Thanksgiving!

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“The subject matter - tweens adjusting, looking for friends and balancing how to blend-in and stand out, all while trying to triumph over everyday realities - hits squarely where my 6th grader currently finds herself.”
— Parent Reviewer
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  • At its core, ‘The Independents’ is about friendship, loss, resilience, and transition. This captivating mystery is perfect for readers who love realistic fiction! It’s set in a suburban neighborhood, in the late 1980s. Join twelve-year-old Avery on her quest to find her missing journal, while she adjusts to her new neighborhood and starting junior high school. Included in the mystery are four diverse characters — Chris, Skylar, Damien, and Natalie — all facing life’s challenges together. They’re all different, but they stick together. Along the way, Avery and her friends search for clues and navigate middle school challenges. In less than 200 pages, ‘The Independents’ delivers a fun, nostalgic tween journey through the trials of 7th grade.

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