Reading Metrics
Description
Keiko, Audrey, and Jenna have always been best friends, but everything is changing now that they are starting seventh grade, and Audrey is obsessed with the idea of them all securing boyfriends. Text contains racial stereotypes and insensitivity.
Quick Summary
If you're looking for a middle-grade book that really nails what it feels like when your friend group starts shifting in seventh grade, this one's for you. Keiko's world gets turned upside down when her two best friends suddenly become obsessed with getting boyfriends, and she's caught between staying true to herself and trying to keep the trio together and the tension between the three girls feels painfully real. The story deals with some tricky stuff like peer pressure and identity, which makes it a great conversation starter for parents and kids, though there's a content note about racial stereotypes and insensitivity in the text that some readers might find a bit off-putting. It's got humor and heart, and Keiko's voice is so relatable that even reluctant readers will find themselves rooting for her to figure out who her real friends are. Fans of books like "Blubber" or "The Baby-Sitters Club" will likely love this one, especially if they're navigating the messy, wonderful world of middle school friendships.