Sidetracked is such a cute story, it follows Joseph as he navigates his way through seventh grade, dealing the school bully and worrying about most things.

Joseph Friedman is a seventh grader at Lakeview middle school, he’s small and skinny and lives with Attention Deficit Disorder, as a result he’s a bit of an easy target for the popular boys, especially footballer Charlie Kastner.

Then Heather moves to Lakeview, Heather is tall, strong and fast, her idol is Stephanie Brown Trafton, the American athlete who won the Gold medal in the discus at the Beijing Olympics in 2018 – and she certainly has no problems telling Charlie what she thinks!

Both Joseph and Heather end up on the newly formed track team, with a group of other seventh graders and their new coach, who just happens to be the teacher from the Resource Room – Joseph’s getaway.

There was so much about this book that I loved, from the way the individuals on the track team became a real team, the way Joseph and Heather became friends and were there for each other, and the way the underdogs won in their own way! I also really liked the book twisted the normal gender stereotypes and showed that that’s okay, as a male you don’t have to be the big strong football player, and as a female you don’t have to be small and delicate – you just be you!

Final Thoughts
I really enjoyed Sidetracked it was a beautiful feel good tale. Joseph and Heather are two wonderful characters and I could quite happily read more of their story. They’re a great example of what you can achieve, even when those around you doubt it, even when you doubt it! I really hope there’s more to come from Diana Harmon Asher

There's a lot to like about this sweet, gentle debut - a winning narrator, his kick-ass new friend, his grandpa and his LD teacher/ coach. I read it in one sitting. Realistic, humorous and satisfying.

This is a fun story about a boy who struggles with ADHD and finds help in cross country running and a new athletic girl who becomes a good friend. An excellent addition to an elementary or middle school library.

Joseph is used to being picked on - he's small, he is not athletic, and he has a learning disability. He is totally surprised when the new girl, Heather, stands up for him in PE and then when she encourages him to be on the cross country team. While certainly not the fastest, Joseph keeps going and learns about teamwork, friendship, and perseverance.

Overall, I liked the book. The themes were well done and Joseph was a great character. There were good dynamics between Heather and Joseph and the book moved along well. There was some swearing in the beginning of the book, a weird incident in the men's restroom at the senior housing, and the use of the word "retards" which always bothers me. Still divided about whether I will have this in the library.

I liked that the Resource Room characters are not defined by their assorted diagnoses. In fact, their diagnoses are never mentioned. Asher wants us to see characters, not labels. Even the bully is never referred to as such. It's subtle but that lack of labels allows for a more fluid definition of characters, At the surface, this is a fairly simple plot: the outsider finds acceptance on the track team as he learns about effort and integrity. Its so much more, though. Compassion, persistence, fear of failure, fear of loneliness, the complexity of adult relationships, good sportsmanship. Each message flows into the next organically with the plot.

There are those who fit right in at school, who make friends easily and understand all the rules, who have no trouble paying attention in class and following directions. And then there are the rest of us. Joseph Friedman is one of us. Small compared to the other seventh graders, slow and unathletic, struggling with attention and sensory issues, Joseph knows what it is to feel lost, to miss out on a teacher's instructions, and to be bullied. 

However, he is not without help. Joseph has a supportive family, and at school he has access to a Resource Room, a place where he can go to catch his breath, quell his anxieties, and reset his ADD brain when he needs to. In the Resource Room, he has Mrs. T., a teacher who gets what it's like for these kids in school. And if that's not enough, in P.E. class (Joseph's least favorite), he finds help in a surprising place. Just as bully Charlie Kastner is charging at him with a soccer ball, a new kid--a girl even--deftly cuts Charlie off and steals the ball, heading toward the goal. 

When Joseph finally gets to talk to the new girl, he finds out that she is named Heather, she is far taller than he expected, she is smart, and she wants to be a track star. Fortunately for them both, Mrs. T. has decided to start a track team, and even though Joseph is not fast, this offers him an opportunity to be part of something bigger than himself. 

I am big fan of middle grade books done well, and Diana Harmon Asher's Sidetracked nails it. The novel, her first, is told in first person through Joseph's entertaining voice, and that makes for an absolutely charming story. Honest about the struggles of being in seventh grade, of being ADD, of being bullied, Sidetracked shows readers how to deal with life's challenges with humor and grace. I would recommend this to readers of all ages who find themselves struggling to feel like they fit in. Joseph and Heather's individual struggles to find their places, to find success in a hostile environment, to find what makes them special is something that everyone can relate to. And the fact that it's a lovely story with such fantastic characters just makes it that much better. Don't get sidetracked (sorry! sort of) from reading this book! 



Galleys for Sidetracked were provided by Amulet Books/ABRAMS Kids through NetGalley.com, with many thanks.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review which has not altered my opinion.

This was just such a fun book to read. The characters were all very unique, the tropes weren’t too plentiful either, which is always a plus in a middle grade novel. Between Joseph and Heather we already have something completely changed, but not at all inaccurate. Heather is not the quiet girl who isn’t able to keep up with the boys, instead she’s the one who won’t take any grief from anyone (including the bullies of the school) and she tends to leave everyone else in the dust. But she’s taken Joseph under her wing in hopes of helping him get rid of some of the bullies and help him with his running. Joseph is such an interesting character in my opinion because he’s develops so much along the story. He grows in confidence as well as as a runner. It’s really quite awesome to see.

Middle school is a super awkward time and I think that this book really addresses just how awkward everyone is at the time. The entire cross country team is full of people who don’t really fit in anywhere else, or so it seems, and by the end they are all friends, bonding through a sport that the majority of them never really wanted to join in the first place.

This book was just adorable! As a runner with ADD I can understand the connection there. This book also addresses the issues that many find in middle school as an awkward preteen. Four out of five from me!

I adored this book! The main characters are endearing and their journey felt genuine - the struggles and the triumphs. Everything clicked for me - the story, the kids, the adults, the things that were resolved and the things that weren't. Highly recommend.

I think children with ADHD or ADD would appreciate this book as they will relate to the main character who has ADD. I liked that it repressed someone with SEN as this is rare in children's books. However, I struggled to get into this book, this is probably because it's aimed at children rather than adults, and I'm sure younger readers would enjoy and appreciate this book.

This book was not only racially diverse but also the main character has ADD which I really enjoyed that perspective. The author was able to write a story that felt authentically middle school. I always felt like I was hearing the story from a 12 year old's perspective which I really enjoyed. The book goes over finding your place and making friends in one of the most awkward times in everyone's life. I just can't stop raving about this book.

This is a story of overcoming obstacles, friendship, and comraderie. Seventh-grader Joseph Friedman faces many challenges; he has ADD as well as sensory and anxiety issues, is small, skinny, and weak, and is often made fun of by the kids at school. He is amazed by Heather, the new girl who is tall, strong, and takes no crap from anyone. Joseph ends up joining the cross-country team, after his Resource Room teacher practically forces him to. But, Joseph is pleasantly surprised to find that not only is his teacher the coach, but that Heather is also on the team. And, other than Heather, most of the other kids are not particularly great athletes. They all begin to gel as a team, supporting and encouraging each other, and Joseph discovers he can do more than he ever thought possible.

I was not an athlete, but I find that I often enjoy sports-related books and movies, and this was no exception. There is just something about the comraderie and pushing one's self physically and mentally, and everyone loves an underdog. While I was never an athlete myself, my kids did cross-country and track, and I worked many a cross-country meet as a parent and also helped coach the middle school track team, and this book gave a very realistic portrayal of what cross-country is like. It is generally an overlooked sport, and doesn't get the recognition and glory that football, basketball, and soccer do, but it is often a safe haven for those who may not be exceptional athletes, but are willing to train and try their best. Runners are generally very encouraging and supportive of each other, even if they are not on the same team, and the focus is on achieving a personal best for most runners.

The story moved along at a satisfying pace, and the characters were well-developed and realistic, not caricatures as they often seem in middle-grade books. I loved seeing the relationship Jospeh had with his grandfather, and the friendship that developed between him and Heather. Heather reminded me very much of my own daughter, who is also very athletic and tough, and I could totally see punching a bully in the face. I liked that the outcome was completely realistic. {Spoiler} Joseph did not become Mr. Popularity, or miraculously win a huge race, but he did form some new friendships, become stronger both physically and mentally, and learned not only to stand up for himself, but that he could do more than he thought. I think readers will be very satisfied with the ending.

I loved this book, and I think it could appeal to a fairly wide range of readers who might find it inspiring: those who feel like they don't quite fit in, those who enjoy sports stories, those who are runners themselves, those who can relate to or like to root for the underdog, and those who need a push to challenge themselves. I would recommend it for ages 10-14, and it should appeal to boys and girls equally.

I read this book in a day. I laughed and I got teary. Asher created such a believable character in Joseph.
The supporting characters felt pretty genuine as well.
I do not have ADD or trouble with anxiety, but as an outsider I think that Asher described what each feels like in such a way that I "got it."

I received a copy of this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!!

Sidetracked is an absolutely charming story about Joseph and Heather, two kids on the fringes of their community. Joseph has ADD and finds his mind wandering every chance it gets. Heather's tall, strong, and fast, and the new kid besides. Together, they make for a misfit team that was a delight to read.

I really loved being in Joseph's head. As a narrator, he's funny, insightful, and serious by turns. His character arc was gentle but somehow more special for it, with a conclusion that had me smiling. Heather was a wonderful balance for Joseph, prodding him forward when he needed it, but still having her fair share of growth to go through. The author skillfully veers away from normal sports-books cliches, leaving us with races that don't necessarily have perfect wins but feel perfect nevertheless.

This sweet story has a lot of heart and would be great for boys and girls who don't quite fit into "normal."

This was a great book. I really liked the characters,setting and theme. Most middle school kids could really relate to this book. It is definitely one for my read aloud list.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Amulet Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
Sidetracked tells the story of seventh grader, Joseph Friedman. Joseph has ADD and basically feels like he is failing at life. He struggles in school, is hopeless on the sporting field as is easy prey for school bullies. When a new girl, Heather, moves to Lakeview Middle School, things start to look up for young Joseph. What follows is an enjoyable and heart-warming story. Whilst the novel is pitched at middle school students, as a middle school teacher, I got a lot from it. Joseph's description of everyday life with ADD and the casual cruelty of both children and adults around him really made me think. I highly recommend the book to both middle school students, teachers and parents of children with ADD. In the words of Joseph, "People think having ADD means I can't focus, but that's not really true. I focus very well - just on the wrong things."

"Maybe the rules change when you grow up. Maybe there are times when you can quit, for a while at least. But I don't think you should be allowed to quit on people. And nobody should be allowed to quit on Heather. "


Someone love me as much as Joseph loves Heather please.

Joseph and Heather were just so good for each other and the story in general. They grew up so well and the character development was amazing and so clearly seen. Even the characters we written so well. I just absolutely adored the characters here *cough* Charlie *cough*. I ended up enjoying Charlie's character in the end of the book.

The writing style did not bore me at all and I found myself being widely amused at a lot of parts. Julian was the key to this amusement of mine.


I love how the book focused on having someone there to push you to do your best and catch you whenever we fall. I have always liked books that focuses a lot more on the friendship of the characters more than the romantic side, even though this did include some parts that were romanticized. For me, I was just struck more on Heather and Joseph as partners and friends than them being a couple.


This is was a really great middle-grade, coming of age type of read. This book is for those who are looking for a sporty read and for those who feel like giving up on whatever 'thing' they are focused on. Whether it be liberal arts, performing arts, music, sports, writing, or just whatever your thing is.


"I guess there's a line that even bullies know not to cross:"

Middle school is awkward enough without having to navigate everyday life with ADD. Sidetracked is a look through a seventh grader's eyes of what this life is like. Themes of bullying, fitting in, family relationships and friendship are addressed with a wonderful sense of humor. I loved Joseph and Heather's relationship and the reversal of "typical" gender roles. He is small, unathletic and sensitive. She is tall, strong, and a natural athlete. I loved watching them grow as friends, athletes, and people.

Joseph is having a tough time in middle school. He's small for his age and suffers from ADHD enough that he spends time each day in the resource room. When his teacher there, Mrs. T., suggests that he run cross country, he is skeptical, but when he sees Heather doing well at running, he thinks it might be okay. This is the first year for the team, so it's very small, but Mrs. T. is the coach. Joseph isn't fast, but he keeps running, and keeps thinking about his personal best. He becomes friends with Heather, whose mother is off in Hawaii studying flowers and doesn't want to come home. The two make an unlikely pair but look out for each other. When Heather is elbowed in the woods, Joseph makes sure that the boy who did it is eventually found out. Joseph also makes peace with another runner who has given him a hard time, Charlie, which is a good thing, since they will be together for indoor winter track and track in the spring. There is an interesting side story involving Joseph's grandfather, who lives with the family, and the quirky, older librarian.
Strengths: This was a good debut effort and showed a decent knowledge of cross country. There were lots of good details (Yep, the boys pee in the woods! We call it "I dropped my watch.") and it was nice to see a strong female character. Good length, no major flaws.
Weaknesses: The editor's note at the beginning was extremely offputting. It's 2017. "A boy cannot be small weak and terrible at track... A girl cannot be big, tough, and lightning fast like Heather." Since when? While I am glad that Heather is the fastest runner, her description as a very tall, larger girl doesn't make much sense. The fastest girls in middle and high school are usually very small. Our girls' team is hugely better than the boys, and it's not an issue. It 1982, maybe, it would be an issue. Joseph is identified as having ADHD, but many of his behaviors make me wonder if his issues arise more from being on the autism spectrum.There was also a weird scene in the book where Joseph sees a teammate being stared at by the other runners, and the teammate says that it's because he's black and the others think he will be fast. That just seemed odd. These are small quibbles with a good story. I suspect that Asher watched her children run rather than coaching a team.
What I Really think: Will definitely purchase.

One day during sport at school, Joseph spots Heather, each don't fit in with their peers, Heather too fast and Joseph too slow in the group. Heather loves Olympic facts and draws the team as animals racing throughout the book.

Joseph's Grandpa is a big character in the book after going missing and doing his own thing before the seventy nine year old comes to Josephs house.

Joseph grows confident in pursuing the track team and making his teacher and grandpa proud from doing so despite being last in the races. However, Joseph has ADD and so cross country gives him something to focus on and his support teacher also is the coach of the team who sets them up races and gets them all uniforms to look like a proper team.

Joseph starts to keep a running diary after also reading a book about getting fitter and stronger which inspires him and he sees progress from his hard work running, crunching, doing press ups and getting the right nutrition.

Joseph and Heather both each meet a member of each other's family and at the same time they discover Josephs grandpa is on a dating site and so is their librarian Mrs Fishbein but will it be a great match?

This book was really inspiring and I hope it will make youngsters who read it too possibly be inspired to try out new things and make new friends from doing so.

Thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!