Language: PG (4 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Jenna (12yo) refuses to talk about her ex breaking up with her just before Christmas break, her parents’ divorce, or anything else that involves any of her emotions. Her best friend is hurt by being shut out, but that’s all that relationships do—hurt. And Jenna is done with hurting and done with people. She is a serious, objective, truth-seeking reporter who is going to win this newspaper article writing contest no matter what.
Starting from the position of believing that truth means being heartless, Jenna’s transformation over the course of her story is done beautifully. Jenna learns about friendship and vulnerability, and she comes to understand how holding on to anger only hurts herself. Florence, through Jenna, teaches readers how to actually be happy. Jenna is Japanese American (and so are other prominent characters).
Reviewer: Carolina Johnson
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