Barbara Dee explores the subject of #MeToo for the middle grade audience in this heart-wrenching—and ultimately uplifting—novel about experiencing harassment and unwanted attention from classmates. 

For seventh-grader Mila, it starts with some boys giving her an unwanted hug on the school blacktop. A few days later, at recess, one of the boys (and fellow trumpet player) Callum tells Mila it’s his birthday, and asks her for a “birthday hug.” He’s just being friendly, isn’t he? And how can she say no? But Callum’s hug lasts a few seconds too long, and feels…weird. According to her friend, Zara, Mila is being immature and overreacting. Doesn’t she know what flirting looks like?

But the boys don’t leave Mila alone. On the bus. In the halls. During band practice—the one place Mila could always escape.

It doesn’t feel like flirting—so what is it? Thanks to a chance meeting, Mila begins to find solace in a new place: karate class. Slowly, with the help of a fellow classmate, Mila learns how to stand her ground and how to respect others—and herself.

From the author of Everything I Know About You, Halfway Normal, and Star-Crossed comes this timely story of a middle school girl standing up and finding her voice.”

 YABC:  What gave you the inspiration to write this book?

In late 2017, my publisher offered me a two-book deal. I had one manuscript ready to go, and no ideas for the second. While I was waiting for my editor's notes on the first book, I spent a lot of time following the #MeToo stories that were everywhere in the news. I began wondering: Where does this behavior come from? When does it start? I did some research: the answer I kept finding was "seventh grade" --but I didn't see any middle grade fiction on this topic. So I began writing, believing that I was simply sketching ideas for the (still hypothetical) second book. Mila's story came to me almost immediately, and I realized that this book needed to get out in the world asap. Fortunately, my publisher agreed, so we flipped the order of the two books.

By the way, I finished the revision of MAYBE during Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's testimony. If you read closely, you'll see an echo of her words.

YABC:  Who is your favorite character in the book?

I have to say the main character, Mila. She's smart, strong, a little sassy, empathetic, considerate  and loyal. She makes mistakes, but she grows. I also admit her little sister Hadley cracks me up.      

YABC:  Which came first, the title or the novel?

The novel. But the title came to me early in the writing process, and helped to focus the story. Those words-- "maybe he just likes you"--are so familiar and so dangerous.    

  YABC:  What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?

 One scene I really like is in the chapter "Guidance"--when Mila talks to Mr. Dolan, the substitute guidance counselor. She tells him what's going on--but she doesn't. He helps her--but he doesn't. There's a lot of miscommunication there, and it feels authentic to me.

I'm finishing revisions for the MG that was supposed to publish before MAYBE HE JUST LIKES YOU. Still working on the title! It's about a family derailed by the teen brother's diagnosis of bipolar disorder. It's written in a style I haven't done before--out of chronological order, with some chapters written as plays, some chapters written as verse--and I think it's one of my best. Can't wait for it to publish Fall 2020!

  YABC:  Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?

If you've read HALFWAY NORMAL, you know that my heart is with finding a cure for pediatric cancers. Our family donates to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, a leading research hospital.