Every Single Second by Tricia Springstubb

published by Balzer and Bray, 2016.

Nella Sabatini, a sixth grader, lives in the Little Italy section of her town. She has a bunch of younger brothers. Her dad is the groundskeeper for the cemetery. Nella’s best friend is Angela. Nella adores Angela’s older brother, Anthony. They all attend the local Catholic school.

Then things start to happen. Their school is going to close and the building will become a health spa. Nella is confronted with murder, racism, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and adults’ secrets.

Author Springstubb drops all of these issues on Nella, who has many questions about loyalty, friendship, right action, and love. Springstubb wraps it all up in a realistic, and fairly satisfying conclusion.

My only discomfort with the story, aside from the heavy issues, was the way the author included observations by Jeptha A. Stone, a statue in the cemetery. I wasn’t quite sure why he was needed.

If you read this book, drop me a comment. I’d like to know what others thought about it.