Seven-year-old Hyacinth Rosalie Quintrell has a lot to say-even when she doesn't always know how to say it out loud.Growing up in Southeast Washington, D.C., in 1985, Hyacinth is trying to figure out where she belongs. At school, being different can make her a target. At home, family life is filled with love, laughter, complicated relationships, and moments she doesn't always understand. And as an Afro-Latina girl navigating questions about her hair, skin, friendships, family, and identity, Hyacinth is beginning to discover just how powerful her own voice can be.When the world becomes confusing, Hyacinth turns to the one place where she can tell the truth exactly as she sees it-her diary.Through family gatherings, childhood adventures, painful experiences, unexpected discoveries, and moments of courage, Hyacinth learns that growing up isn't about having all the answers. Sometimes, it begins with finding the courage to ask questions, speak up, and believe that your story matters.Set against the vibrant backdrop of 1980s Washington, D.C., Hyacinth's Diary is a heartfelt middle-grade story about identity, family, friendship, resilience, and a young girl discovering the light within herself.Featuring diary entries and eighteen thematic poems woven throughout the novel, Hyacinth's Diary invites young readers to reflect on their own experiences while reminding them that even the quietest voice deserves to be heard.