A middle grade novel about a girl named J.P. who discovers a magical door in her neighbor's treehouse that allows her to skip forward in time by three days, enabling her to avoid difficult moments in her life. As she grapples with grief, body acceptance, and self-confidence, J.P. learns the importance of facing challenges head-on and living in the present moment.

Reader Review Summary

"The Things We Miss" is a poignant and beautifully crafted middle grade novel that tackles heavy themes like grief, depression, body image issues, and the intense social pressures of middle school with remarkable sensitivity and heart. Leah Stecher has created an instantly relatable protagonist in J.P. Green, whose struggles to fit in, accept herself, and cope with profound loss and upheaval in her life will resonate deeply with readers.

One of the book's greatest strengths is Stecher's authentic and emotionally resonant portrayal of J.P.'s inner life as she grapples with the recent death of her beloved father and her beloved grandfather's cancer diagnosis. The magical realism element of J.P. discovering a door in a treehouse that allows her to skip ahead three days at a time is such a brilliant metaphor for her instinct to numb herself to the pain and difficulty of her circumstances. Stecher deftly illustrates both the escapist allure and ultimately self-destructive nature of J.P.'s time traveling as it distances her from cherished moments and important events in her life and relationships.

The voice and characterization are pitch-perfect, capturing all the vulnerability, anxiety, and heartache of the middle school experience. J.P.'s struggle with body image and the inexcusable fat-shaming from her bullies is depicted with brutal honesty and realism. The book pulls no punches in conveying the anguish caused by cruelty and meanness, while also offering hope and affirmation with J.P.'s journey toward greater self-acceptance. Her friendship with the endearingly nerdy Kevin is an absolute highlight - their shared passion for the sci-fi series Admiral K adds a dose of humor and fun even amid the darkness.

Ultimately, "The Things We Miss" is not just a story of grief and hardship, but one of resilience, growth, and learning to cherish the entire mosaic of life's experiences, even the painful ones. Stecher's wisdom and compassion shines through on every page as she reminds readers of the preciousness of being fully present for every moment, good or bad. With pop culture references galore, a lovable protagonist, and beautiful life lessons woven throughout, this book is sure to captivate, enlighten, and move middle grade audiences and any reader navigating loss and difficult transitions. Highly recommended.