This book is about a girl who's father is in the airfare and she is going to a new school trying to fit in. She ends up making friends with a girl, but she has to figure out if she's going to fit in with the girl's other friend. I recommend this book because a lot of young girls are trying to make friends in middle school and find their place where they belong and this book can give them a guidance. ( )

Recommended Ages: Gr. 3-6

Plot Summary: Charlie's dad retired from the Air Force so this time when she starts a new school, she's here to stay. Which is why it's so important for Charlie to fit in and make friends, especially since it's middle school! She's totally ready for her first day, even if it's three weeks into the school year, but on her way in a bucket of water falls on her in a freak accident and her perfect clothes and hair are ruined. Thankfully, Nola saw the whole thing happen and helps with her hair in the bathroom. Charlie sits with Nola and her friends at lunch, but will she mesh with all of them? Is she doing the right things to fit in? Then why is it so hard?

Setting: near NYC

Characters:
Charlie Harper - loves to draw
Nola - mom owns a hair salon, quite talented at doing hair herself, super friendly, helpful and welcoming towards Charlie
Ella -
Cara -
Ms. Adrienne - art teacher

Recurring Themes: fitting in, friendship, moving, glasses and contacts, fashion, confidence, being yourself

Controversial Issues: none

Personal Thoughts: Perfect for any kid who doesn't feel comfortable being themselves, so everyone! Well written, great characters, easy to follow, fabulous.

Genre: realistic fiction, graphic novel

Pacing: fast, excellent character development
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children's middlegrade graphic fiction (1st in what I hope is a series) - Now that her recently retired Air Force dad works as a renovation contractor (a business co-owned with his best friend), they can finally stay in one place long enough for 12 y.o. Charlie Harper to make some long-term friends--and she plans to make a good impression (different clothes, different hairstyle, contact lenses) for her first day of middle school.

A funny graphic novel with appealing drawings and relatable characters, should be a hit with the kids at the library. The name of the city is not given, but it is near enough to NYC for some designer-names to show up in the thrift store, similar to Jersey City, where the author lives.

February 2024 bingo challenge: black cover model, under 290 pages, set in autumn/fall, friendship theme, suggested by a friend ( )

This was a book about being yourself. Friends are hard to make it at any age but when you spend your life constantly being the new kid, making friends can be hard to do. Coming into a new school three weeks after start makes it even harder. This is a sweet graphic novel about not only being a good friend but about being yourself. It’s got a great message and a fun story for any age. ( )

Oh, I absolutely loved this! Right away, the adorable art style and Charlie’s struggle to make friends drew me in. She goes through embarrassing mishaps and so much lying trying to be accepted. Charlie, like a lot of us, is in her head a lot. There’s also a cute crush in the background.

Something unique is the book addresses what happens when a parent who has been absent (as in work, deployment, etc) changes the dynamic of the home once they return full-time. I don’t think I have seen many children’s stories cover this.

OR, having a social butterfly for a parent as a child who has difficulty connecting to others. Sometimes, the parent doesn't realize social interactions don't come easy to the child.

Moral: You don’t have to pretend to be someone else to be liked. ( )