Best friends-ish

Carter Higgins

Book - 2021

So far second grade is not living up to Audrey Locke's hopes, because she is not really the best at anything, the other girls leave her out, and even her Diego, her best friend from first grade, is hanging out with the other boys; but things may be getting worse, because starting Monday she will not even be the only Audrey in second grade--to Audrey L (as she must now be known) this is looking like a disaster, but just maybe she has more in common with Audrey W than just a name.

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Subjects
Genres
Children's stories
Published
San Francisco : Chronicle Books [2021]
Language
English
Main Author
Carter Higgins (author)
Other Authors
Jennifer K. Mann (illustrator)
Physical Description
181 pages : illustrations ; 19 cm
Audience
Ages 7-10.
ISBN
9781452183947
Contents unavailable.
Review by Booklist Review

Audrey Locke was initially excited for second grade and the big changes that would go with it, but it turns out that many of those changes aren't so fun. There are grades and tests now, and her friend Diego isn't interested in being buddies anymore. When Audrey is assigned to be the Welcome Ambassador for the class' new student, she is determined to do the best job she can--even when it means not being Room 19's only Audrey anymore. Audrey Waters' arrival brings a sparkle of hope to Audrey L. that they could possibly be friends, but it also stirs up less-desirable emotions, like anxiety, jealousy, and self-doubt. Lots of readers will identify with Audrey L.'s mixed-up feelings and chuckle over minor mishaps that unfold through short, illustrated chapters. A shared love of cupcakes, alicorns (flying unicorns!), and the color purple helps see the girls through a bumpy start, and friendship happily prevails. An instant companion for Ivy & Bean and Clementine, this sweet series-starter holds plenty of promise.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

A rapport develops between two second graders in search of belonging in this crisply written chapter book debut, a series starter by Higgins (Circle Under Berry). Audrey Locke thought second grade would be "twice as fun as first," but all the newness soon proves overwhelming, and she questions whether she can be best at anything. Complicating matters, her old pal Diego seems to have moved on to a different friend group. When a transfer student shows up with the same name, newly dubbed Audrey "L" is made Welcome Ambassador to Audrey "W." Predictably, her efforts are not without mishap and embarrassment, and yet a "best friends-ish" camaraderie forms between the duo, who are clearly linked by their bigheartedness and sense of humor, not to mention a love of the color purple and alicorns (unicorns with wings). A minor crisis involving a hermit crab and a major meltdown by Audrey L add some easily resolved tension. Straightforward plotting emphasizes Audrey L's emotional journey and the classroom dynamics, while sketchlike b&w illustrations by Mann (The Camping Trip) break up the chapters. The Audreys make a winsome pair, and Higgins's empathic approach to storytelling promises more gentle hijinks as they navigate school and friendship. Ages 6--9. Author's agent: Rubin Pfeffer, Rubin Pfeffer Content. Illustrator's agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. (Oct.)

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Review by School Library Journal Review

Gr 2--4--Audrey Locke loved first grade and was looking forward to second grade. Unfortunately, things haven't been as great as she hoped. Her friend Diego is hanging out with other kids. New things turn out to be important such as spelling, who has the best shoes, and whose art gets placed the highest on the filing cabinet. When Audrey L. becomes the Welcome Ambassador for new student Audrey W., she wonders if maybe they could become…friend-ish. They have a lot in common besides their names--both love the color purple and playing the glockenspiel. But Audrey L. is unsure about their friendship. Audrey L. struggles to accept it when Audrey W.'s name for their new class hermit crab is chosen, and Audrey W. seems to be the best at everything--even baking, which is one of her favorite and best things! And when her little brother paints Ms. Pinchcastle (the hermit crab) with nail polish, and Audrey W.'s cupcake is chosen as the best, Audrey L. has had it. Can she find a way to make amends with Audrey W., or will her hopes for a best friend be dashed? This delightful tale of friendship struggles and the uncertainties of school shines with humor and spirit. Mann's black-and-white line illustrations help break up the text and nicely complement the two Audrey's adventures. VERDICT A great addition to libraries where memorable girls like "Ivy + Bean," and "Judy Moody" are popular.--Heidi Grange, Summit Elem. Sch., Smithfield, UT

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

A second grader navigates the ups and downs of a new friendship. So far, second grade isn't living up to Audrey Locke's high expectations. When the odd number of kids pair up, she's the extra one. Longing to be best at something, Audrey--class Welcome Ambassador--seizes her opportunity when Ms. Fincastle announces they'll be joined by a new student whose favorite snack is chocolate-covered crickets. Although Audrey drops the welcome cake she's made, the new girl, Audrey Waters, is gracious about the mishap, and friendship blossoms. Besides their names, the girls share a liking for winged unicorns and purple nail polish. But as Audrey W excels at music, spelling, and more, Audrey L begins to feel jealous, especially after the class votes for Audrey W's choice to name the classroom's hermit crab. With Audrey W best at so much, Audrey L's determined to prove herself best at baking. Then their baking-focused weekend play date goes awry, and Audrey L lets out all her worries and anger. Mann's droll illustrations capture the full range of her changing emotions and convey character diversity: Ms. Fincastle and several students have darker skin than both brown-haired Audrey L (presumed White) and black-haired Audrey W (who has olive skin on the full-color cover). The sophisticated vocabulary and syntax might be a stretch for young readers. If mature, accomplished Audrey W is fairly thinly developed in this first series outing, Audrey L's struggles to establish herself within the chaotic social hierarchies of elementary school are endearingly authentic. Funny and engaging. (Fiction. 6-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.