April 27, 2015
Hannah faces some emotional earthquakes in the waning weeks of the summer before fifth grade in this chipper, funny novel that explores the loyalties of family and friends. Things are bad enough now that Hannah's best friend and next-door neighbor, Sophie, has moved to Canada. Then Hannah's father and stepmother announce that they are expecting a baby, and a new family quickly moves into Sophie's house. When Hannah sees a girl arrive next door (wearing the exact tie-dye shirt Hannah is wearing!), she is determined not to like her. That proves impossible after Hannah meets Emme and learns that they share a birthday and a love of palindromes, peanut butter, and swimming, among other things. In her first book for middle-graders, Mackler (The Future of Us) warmly depicts the ebb and flow of this duo's relationship in alternating chapters narrated by each girl. Emme's two mothers and Hannah's parents form a supportive team during their daughters' first school year together; readers will enjoy spending time with this memorable pair as they, their friendship, and their families grow and change. Ages 8â12. Agent: Jodi Reamer, Writers House.
October 1, 2015
Gr 3-5-The summer before fifth grade has been rough for Hannah. Her best friend next door moved away, her father and stepmother announced that they are expecting a baby, and a new girl has moved into her friend Sophie's house. New girl Emme and Hannah soon become best friends and even call themselves twins-they have the same birthday, love palindromes and peanut butter, hate pizza, come from nontraditional families (Emme has two moms), and swim competitively. Together the girls solve a bully problem, care for a sick cat, weather a big birthday disappointment, and help Hannah adjust to big family changes. When the girls begin to change, however, and to develop individual tastes and interests, they wonder if their friendship can survive. Tara Sands and Cassandra Morris narrate the girls' alternating chapters with much tween expression and give the adults suitably mature voices as well. Through them, Mackler gives voice to the common fears and challenges that preteen girls face, and shows that true friendship and supportive families can overcome many obstacles. VERDICT While the girls' reactions to some situations are sometimes overly dramatic, they offer positive solutions that will be appreciated by young listeners. ["Sure to find readers amongst young readers, this charming book will be a hit with fans of Meg Cabot's 'Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls' series": SLJ 4/1/15 review of the Scholastic book.]-MaryAnn Karre, formerly of the Binghamton City School District, NY
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