An absorbing, smartly paced novel ... Narrated in Kate's tough yet sympathetic voice and replete with complex characters navigating difficult issues, this hard-hitting, hopeful story also holds warmhearted moments of friendship and community, which are even more powerful for being hard-won. STARRED REVIEW * Publishers Weekly * Ellis offers an emotional, inspirational, and relatable story ... A compelling and poignant book that celebrates a courageous young girl's journey toward growing up. STARRED REVIEW * School Library Journal * Ellis's storytelling is immersive, her writing precise and wise, with moments of cataclysmic heartbreak and fragments of hope mixing together to bring readers a potent emotional experience. Deftly written, with brilliantly layered and memorable heroines in Kate and Gran, The Outsmarters is a standout. STARRED REVIEW * Quill & Quire * Kate's first-person narration allows her quirky, perceptive, and wryly funny worldview to shine An insightful young person makes a powerful difference in this emotionally astute work. * Kirkus Reviews * Issue-filled but not issue-driven, well-paced, and not too modern to feel stuck in time, Ellis' tale of the families left behind by addiction will resonate with readers ... who seek strong-willed female protagonists that stick in your heart. * Booklist * Told from Kate's point of view, this is a powerful and evocative story about finding one's strength and surviving against the odds. But this isn't an individual-against-the-world story; part of the beauty of Ellis' novel is Kate's slow-growing ability to engage with the people around her. * Children's Literature Comprehensive Database * The subject matter here is heavy, ranging from child abuse to the opioid crisis, and the adults aren't particularly reassuring, having all let Kate down at some point ... but the burgeoning relationships she's formed will give readers hope that even if everything isn't going perfectly for Kate, she will be okay. * Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books * A hard-hitting story that also shows how young people can make a difference. * Globe and Mail * Heartfelt ... With engaging dialogue and realistic issues surrounding drug addiction, broken families, and bullying, The Outsmarters is a must-read for coming-of-age readers. * Canadian Children's Book News * The Outsmarters is an encouraging look at how hard work can bring about second chances. * CM: Canadian Review of Materials * Deborah Ellis has written another first-class story with a memorable main character in The Outsmarters. * Winnipeg Free Press *
