Will on the Inside

"An honest, sophisticated look at the myriad emotions surrounding chronic illness and growing up 'not straight' in a religious Georgia town." -Publishers Weekly (starred review)"Relatable, real, and utterly engrossing." -School Library Journal (starred review)***After dedicated soccer player Will is sidelined from the season-and his friend group-due to complications from his newly diagnosed Crohn's disease, he finds himself figuring out who he really is on the inside in this heartfelt and thoughtful middle grade novel that's perfect for readers who love books by Maulik Pancholy and Christine Day. Will loves playing center midfield on his middle school soccer team.
This year, though, Will hasn't felt like himself; his stomach has been bothering him, and he has no energy at all. When his new doctor diagnoses him with Crohn's disease, Will hopes that means he'll start feeling better soon and he can get back to playing with his team before the season ends. But Will's new medicines come with all kinds of side effects, Forced to sit out afternoon practice, Will finds himself hanging out with a kid at school, Griffin.
This could be a real problem, seeing as Griffin just asked Will's best friend to the spring dance. As in, guy friend. What would Will's teammates say if they knew the whole story? Not to mention Will's friends at church. With all these changes happening faster than he can process them, Will knows that he has a lot to figure out about who he really is on the inside.  Andrew Eliopulos's novel is a memorable, affecting story that will have wide appeal.
It was selected as a Junior Library Guild title, a Children's Cooperative Book Center CCBC Choices title, and a book of the year by the New York Public Library and School Library Journal and was named one of "6 LGBTQ+ Kids' Books We Need More Than Ever" by Kirkus Reviews. How can he be a good teammate, a good friend, and true to himself all at once? Chronic Illness Representation: A heartfelt and honest look at life with Crohn's disease, from dealing with symptoms and side effects to being sidelined from the soccer season.
LGBTQ Middle Grade Story: Navigating new feelings and the courage to be yourself, especially when a new friend named Griffin challenges what everyone in his religious Southern town expects. Navigating Middle School Friendships: When his soccer team feels like a world away, Will has to figure out where he fits in and what being a true best friend to Henry really means. Faith and Identity: An authentic exploration of growing up in a church community while questioning who you are and who you're meant to be.