Review by Booklist Review
Emma McKenna is looking forward to starting third grade at her new school, Curiosity Academy, where she hopes to put an unfortunate nickname, Bongo Butt, behind her. Unfortunately, the source of her humiliation turns up in class, forcing Emma to do her best to cultivate friendships before her former BFF, Lucy, can sabotage her. This first in a projected 18-book series (one title for each student in Ms. Z's classroom, all penned by different authors) contains believable characters experiencing age-appropriate challenges: making new friends, navigating social groups, overcoming shyness, and dealing with embarrassment. Emma is suitably quirky (a cheerleading enthusiast who loves capybaras and special days such as Eat an Extra Dessert Day), her classmates diverse, and the teachers generally supportive. Large typeface, short chapters, and frequent illustrations will help new chapter book readers feel comfortable with the material. Fajardo's full-page black-and-white cartoon illustrations appear in every chapter with a few additional spot illustrations. Share with fans of Annie Barrows' Ivy and Bean books or Sara Pennypacker's Clementine series.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
When cheerleader Emma McKenna begins third grade at Curiosity Academy, she's eager to befriend her new classmates and thrilled by her quirky teacher Mrs. Z. But Emma isn't expecting to encounter Lucy, her former best friend, with whom she had a falling-out the year before, resulting in mean nicknames and hurt feelings. Now, Emma worries that Lucy will turn the class against her. Fretting about Lucy is exhausting, so Emma focuses on winning the affection of "maybe-friends." Inspired by her family's ice cream shop and her fondness for obscure holidays, Emma endeavors to endear herself to her schoolmates by bringing gummy worms to class on "Eat an Extra Dessert Day." With her classmates more concerned about choosing a school mascot, however, Emma pivots and makes her case for the capybara, a creature she imagines is "friends with everybody." The first in a new series, each written by a different author, this wholesome read by Messner (The Scariest Kitten in the World) briefly introduces future planned protagonists without sacrificing the momentum of Emma's appealing plight, making for a buoyant series opener with an engaging premise. Emma reads as white; supporting characters are racially diverse. Ages 6--9. Agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary. (Apr.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A new school and an old embarrassment threaten Emma's third grade year. Emma is excited to start at the brand-new Curiosity Academy, but of the 18 kids in Mrs. Z's class, one turns out to be her former BFF, Lucy. What if everyone learns about the humiliating nickname Lucy saddled her with last year? Emma doesn't seem to notice that Lucy is avoiding her and not having a great time herself. As her peers introduce themselves, Emma becomes convinced that she's the Least Interesting Person in class. Her plan to become more popular goes awry, and her hopes of learning to play the flute in music class are dashed. Still, the perceptive Mrs. Z finds a way to help Emma shine, and when the students start debating what the school's new mascot should be, Emma hits upon the perfect idea: the capybara, a creature that gets along with everyone--just as Emma hopes to. Impulsive but kind Emma's troubles are relatable, while brown-skinned Mrs. Z feels like a hip reincarnation of Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus books. When it comes to Emma and Lucy's relationship, however, this engaging, low-key tale feels a bit unresolved, in part because of the series' premise. Each title follows a different student and is written by a different author; readers will eventually learn Lucy's full story. In Fajardo's cartoon artwork, Emma and Lucy present white; the class is diverse. Final art not seen. A gentle back-to-school tale sure to resonate with youngsters confronting their own friendship woes. (Chapter book. 6-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
