Gritty Girl

Eleven-year-old Megan Marigold is navigating the tricky waters of her preteen years while carrying the weight of secrets her classmates could never imagine. Uprooted to sweltering Selma, Texas, just before sixth grade and struggling to fit in, she feels uncool, awkward, and different, preferring her live bug collection to boys and bras like the other girls. Her challenges are magnified by her parents' mysterious careers as CIA agents-secrets she has to keep hidden, even from her one and only friend. To make matters worse, Megan becomes the target of the school's queen bee bully and her girl gang. As Megan endures taunts and isolation, her grandmother reminds her that, like a pearl forming from a bit of grit, Megan's strength will come from overcoming adversity.

When Megan's dad vanishes on a CIA mission in Beijing, Megan suspects the Chinese family that has recently moved into town. This family ultimately plays a key role in whether Megan will ever see her dad again.

Gritty Girl is an oftentimes humorous exploration of family, friendship, and the struggles of youth, wrapped in a high-stakes story of espionage, loyalty, and the power of empathy.