Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One
on Goodreads (474)
What’s inside...
A funny, feminist, and queer contemporary middle grade debut that follows twelve-year-old loner Hazel Hill, who, after one of her classmates is harassed online, devises a plan to catch the school’s golden boy in the act. Seventh-grader Hazel Hill is too busy for friends. No, really. She needs to focus on beating her nemesis, the gorgeous and smart Ella Quinn, in order to win the school-wide speech competition after last year’s embarrassing hyperbole/hyperbowl mishap that cost her first place. But when Hazel discovers Ella is being harassed by popular golden boy Tyler Harris, she has to choose between winning and doing the right thing. No one would believe that a nice boy like Tyler would harass and intimidate a nice girl like Ella, but Hazel knows the truth—and she’s determined to prove it. In this deeply relatable, surprisingly humorous, and wonderfully empowering middle grade about friendship, finding your voice, and standing up for what you believe in, sometimes you have to lose in order to win.
Age
8-12
Length
223 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Hazel Hill
Riley
Ella Quinn
Tyler Harris
Discussion points
What do you think makes Hazel Hill so determined to achieve her goals?
How do you feel about the way Hazel handles challenges and setbacks?
What did you learn about the importance of speaking up for yourself and others?
How do the friendships in the story change or grow? What does that tell us about relationships?
If you were Hazel, what would you have done differently in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start your discussion by sharing your thoughts and feelings about the book to set a comfortable tone.
Encourage your child to think about how the characters' experiences relate to their own life.
Discuss Hazel's actions and decisions, and ask your child what they might have done in similar situations.
Emphasize the importance of perseverance and courage in everyday life, drawing parallels to the book's themes.
Celebrate your child's responses to foster an open and enthusiastic atmosphere during the discussion.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Standing up for what is right
Explanation: Hazel Hill takes a stand against injustice at her school which shows her bravery and integrity.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to speak out against unfairness or bullying they witness in school or in their community.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: As Hazel navigates her challenges, she learns to understand and empathize with different perspectives, particularly of her peers.
Real-World Application: This can help children appreciate the value of seeing things from others' viewpoints, fostering a more inclusive environment at school.
Example Lesson: Perseverance in the face of adversity
Explanation: Despite setbacks, Hazel keeps striving towards her goal, illustrating persistence.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to continue working towards their own goals, whether in academics, sports, or personal projects.
Example Lesson: Importance of friendship
Explanation: Throughout the book, Hazel's friends play a crucial role in supporting her, highlighting the importance of building and maintaining strong friendships.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value and nurture friendships, which are vital for emotional and social development.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Hazel models resilience by bouncing back from her challenges, a key theme throughout the story.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that it is possible to recover from setbacks and emerge stronger.