Emily Out of Focus

Miriam Spitzer Franklin

What's The Story?

Get ready for a heartfelt journey that will resonate with readers who love stories about identity, belonging, and a touch of adventure. Emily Out of Focus is the kind of book that will appeal to young readers (and adults!) who have ever felt like they're navigating a world that's shifting beneath their feet.

In this warm and witty exploration of family, friendship, and identity, twelve-year-old Emily finds herself on an international adventure she never expected—heading to China with her parents to adopt her new baby sister. But while her parents are all-in on baby bliss, Emily’s feeling a little out of the spotlight, and things start to get complicated the moment they arrive.

Cue Katherine, the quick-witted Chinese-American girl in their adoption group who’s on her own quest to solve a mystery of her own: tracking down her birth mother. What starts as a tentative friendship quickly turns into a deeper bond as Emily agrees to help Katherine in her search, all while trying to make sense of her own place in this new, ever-expanding family dynamic.

This book is perfect for fans of heartfelt, character-driven middle-grade stories, especially those who loved The Thing About Jellyfish or Counting by 7s. Emily's story tackles the big stuff—family, belonging, and the complicated emotions that come with both—with warmth, humor, and the kind of relatability that will have readers rooting for her on every page.

Editorials

Editorials

On The StoryGraph, Emily Out of Focus by Miriam Spitzer Franklin has received positive reviews highlighting its emotional depth and relatable themes. Readers appreciate the exploration of family, identity, and friendship, especially the perspective on adoption and Emily's internal struggles. The pacing is often described as fast, and the tone is both emotional and lighthearted, making it a compelling read for middle-grade audiences. Many note the touching friendship between Emily and Katherine as a central element.

The Kirkus review similarly described the story as a heartfelt journey where Emily, a 12-year-old, travels to China with her parents to adopt her baby sister. Feeling left out, Emily befriends Katherine, a girl adopted from China who wants to find her birth mother. Their secretive adventure explores themes of family, cross-cultural adoption, and identity. The story addresses both the joys and challenges of the adoption process, highlighting emotional complexities in an engaging, realistic way.
Hardcover
$4.00 USD $15.99

Genre:

  • Realistic Fiction

Diverse Voices:

  • East Asian

Curricular Connection:

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