Aint It Funny by Margaret Gurevich

This heartfelt middle grade novel tackles serious themes of family separation and mental health with surprising humor, following eleven-year-old Maya as she attempts to reunite her parents by mastering the stand-up comedy that pulled them apart. Maya's journey is authentically complicated by her anxiety and OCD, which the narrative handles with nuance, making this a standout for readers seeking stories about neurodivergent characters navigating real-world challenges.

What truly distinguishes this story is its clever structure, using stand-up comedy routines as a lens to explore Maya's internal struggles and her evolving understanding of her family's new reality. The Russian deli setting provides a rich cultural backdrop, while Maya's earnest, often misguided attempts to "fix" her parents' relationship will resonate with any child who has felt powerless during family changes. This is a genuinely funny and moving exploration of learning to cope when life doesn't go according to script.