I read Michael Leali’s debut, The Civil War of Amos Abernathy immediately after finishing Morrison’s Beloved and, wow. I’m grateful for writers who tackle racism, sexism, transphobia, homophobia - those fears that grow into hatred - head on. Leali doesn’t mince words; rather, he uses them to educate. To advocate. To make change. 
I loved the nonlinear plot of Amos Abernathy. It had a way of keeping me guessing and really ramping up the tension to the point that I was anxiously looking at the next chapter title to see where I was being taken next. Loved the supporting characters - Chloe is a force - and of course, the adults screw up. But a lot of them learn, messily, as a lot of us are doing in life. 
Amos’ voice is singular. Leali plays with form, sentence structure, and punctuation to help the reader hear Amos as he is. And that is phenomenal. 
Amos is a phenomenal kid. I wish I were friends with him. He sees the world so clearly in ways that I am - and will continue to - learn. He is strong, vulnerable, and determined. Amos is the hero we all need in literature today, and I will shout this middle grade from the rooftops to get it into the hands of as many teachers, kids, and human beings  as possible.