Published: 2025
Author: Emma Meyer | Illustrator: Gabriella Shcherban
Genre: Middle Grade Realistic Fiction / Contemporary
Audience: Grades 5–8
Number of Stars: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Goodreads Link: Glow
Themes: Anxiety, Resilience, Family, Self-discovery.
Publisher’s Summary
💖 It’s Possible To Find Your Spark — And Let It Glow!
👋 Meet Mia, a girl whose life turns upside down when she moves from the bustling streets of New York to a sleepy town deep in the Appalachians. Unsure of what lies ahead, Mia feels lonely and lost. But as she makes unexpected friendships, uncovers surprises in the small town, and spends time with her grumpy grandfather, she begins to discover that even the most unfamiliar place can start to feel like home.
“Glow” is an empowering and heartwarming chapter book about anxiety, courage, friendship, and finding your voice — a reminder that even when you’re scared, it’s still possible to believe that everything will be okay.
Review
Glow is a chapter book by Emma Meyer where we follow Mia, a young girl who struggles with anxiety, courage, and finding a sense of belonging. Mia’s life is suddenly and drastically changed when she is forced to move from the comfort of the only home she has known in New York City to the quiet Appalachian Mountains. Mia and her mother are forced to move in with her grandfather, whom she has never met.
As she leaves behind her friends and life as she has only ever known it, she worries about meeting her grandfather for the first time, making new friends, fitting in, and adapting to a different way of life. She becomes overwhelmed and lonely. But it doesn’t take too long for her to start to make new friends, who help her explore the new town and go on adventures that lead her to a secret underground library.
The more time Mia spends in her new life, the more she comes to realize that she likes her grandfather and he is not as bad as she thought. She also slowly gains confidence and learns how to manage her anxiety. Through this story, the author shows readers how they can find hope and inner strength, even through difficult times. It is written in an easy format and wording for younger children in the middle grades to explore the topic of anxiety, worry, and self-discovery.
🎒 Classroom & Curricular Connections
- Social-Emotional Learning (Managing Transitions):
- Activity Idea: “The Moving Survival Kit.” Have students list five “internal” tools (like deep breathing, positive self-talk, or a hobby) they can use when they feel overwhelmed by change.
- ELA (Setting & Mood):
- Activity Idea: Create a “Sensory T-Chart.” Compare the sights, sounds, and smells of Mia’s life in New York City versus the Appalachian Mountains. How does the change in setting reflect Mia’s changing mood?
- Creative Writing (The Secret Library):
- Activity Idea: Mia discovers a secret underground library. Have students write a short “Origin Story” for this library. Who built it? Why is it hidden? What is the most magical book inside?
- Art & Symbolic Representation:
- Activity Idea: Why is the book titled Glow? Have students create an art piece showing a “glowing” heart or light inside a dark or unfamiliar landscape to represent Mia’s inner strength.
