Figure It Out, Henri Weldon
7th grader Henrietta Weldon gets to switch schools—finally! She'll be “mainstreaming” into public school, leaving her special education school behind. She can't wait for her new schedule, new friends, and new classes.
Henri's dyscalculia, a learning disability that makes math challenging to process and understand, is what she expects to give her problems. What she doesn't expect is a family feud with her sister over her new friends, joining the girl's soccer team, and discovering poetry. Henri's tutor and new friend, Vinnie, reminds her to take it slow. One problem at a time.
If Henri Weldon has twenty-four hours in a day, and she has two siblings who dislike her four new friends, two hours of soccer practice, seven hours of classes, and three hours of homework . . . she has:
- No free time
- No idea how to make everyone happy
- No time to figure it out, Henri Weldon!
Figure It Out, Henri Weldon is about the complex calculations it takes for everyone to balance the equations of their lives.
What people are saying about Figure It Out, Henri Weldon:
"Skillfully realized, this is an affirming and inspiring tale for readers who are only ever told what they can’t accomplish. Uplifting and amusing, this book will leave readers with valuable lessons." - Kirkus Reviews
"An involving middle-grade narrative with a very likable protagonist." - Booklist, November 1, 2022
"...a complex character who is not singularly defined by her personal challenges. In this hopeful, well-paced volume, Davis (Partly Cloudy) centers accommodation, community, and understanding." - Publishers' Weekly
"Davis successfully drives home the importance of finding one’s own path and accepting the journeys of others." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Figure It Out, Henri Weldon will encourage young readers to take a breath and keep trying, even when the odds —or their families— don’t always seem in their favor." - Bookpage
"...but this is not a heavy book—the BIG STUFF here comes from the book’s emotional honesty, but the story itself is gentle and warm and empathetic and funny. There are no villains here: even when characters hurt one another, it’s usually unintentional and because of differences in perspective. Everyone, regardless of age, is TRYING." Leila Roy, Bookshelves of Doom
Tanita in conversation about FIGURE IT OUT, HENRI WELDON:
Talking representation, learning disabilities, and finding our strengths - with Edelweiss
Talking Poetry, middle grade, and Poetry Friday rep - with Laura Purdie Salas
Talking dyscalculia and books with Gwen Richardson of Black Authors Matter TV on Facebook Live.