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Laura Wiltse Prior is a middle grade author who loves cookie dough, reading and tennis. When she isn’t writing, she is driving her children around, hiking with Cody, her Portuguese Water Dog or hanging with Casper, the nicest cat in town. She lives and writes in Connecticut with her husband and three kids, the inspiration for her stories. Look for her second middle grade novel featuring Emma Just Medium from One Elm Books, an imprint of Red Chair Press coming in February 2025.
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Laura Wiltse Prior’s early chapter book, Emma Just Medium: The Beach Dilemma, is about family dynamics and finding your place. Emma was the middle child, stuck between her older brother, Big, and her younger brother, nicknamed Little. That made Emma’s nickname, Medium, though few people called her that. Her best friend was another middle child, Wes. It helps to have someone close who understands how you feel. The family is off to the beach for their summer vacation, and, like always, Emma has to sit in the middle of the back seat between her two brothers. She’s tired of being in the "middle" of everything, and she’s decided it’s time to show that she’s more than just the "middle" child. It’s time Emma acts "big."
Laura Wiltse Prior has woven a clever tale in her children’s story Emma Just Medium. The social aspect of being a middle child is often overlooked, but in this story, the plot defines who Emma is. The language is simple to suit the needs of early readers, and the use of descriptive narrative and dialogue is well-balanced. There are black-and-white drawings to embellish the story and add more entertainment value. Young readers will empathize and chuckle with this family’s antics, from the singing dad to the youngest, who sometimes babbles almost incoherently. And when the plot thickens, and Emma’s plan becomes more than she bargained for, there’s always another middle child, her best friend Wes, to help her sort things out. This is a great read, full of fun, laughter, and good, wholesome family values.
