11 Before 12 (Friendship List #1)
by Lisa Greenwald (Author)
Fans of Lauren Myracle and Wendy Mass will love acclaimed author Lisa Greenwald's new series about two best friends who kick-start middle school with a bucket list of eleven things they need to do to become AMAZING before their joint twelfth birthday party.
The first day of middle school means trading in freeze tag at the pool for new schedules, fabulous outfits, and a fresh start. But for eleven-year-old Kaylan, the chaos of new locker combinations, cafeteria cliques, and potential first kisses is more than she can handle. She dreads the start of sixth grade and feels like she wants--no, needs--a winning game plan.
Luckily, Kaylan and her effortlessly chill BFF, Arianna, have a fool-proof plan for tackling transitions: a list of eleven things they need to do to totally transform themselves before they both turn twelve in November.
But between making guy friends, getting detention (and makeovers!), helping humanity, and having super-candid conversations with their moms about their flaws, the first 100 days of school turn out worse than Kaylan ever imagined. Kaylan and Ari forget to focus on their friendship and soon their loyalty to the list--what was meant to help them keep it together--becomes the very thing tearing their lives apart.
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Kirkus Reviews
Yet another novel about dreading middle school, this breezy beach read is well-done but offers little new. (Fiction. 9-12)
Copyright 2017 Kirkus Reviews, LLC Used with permission
School Library Journal
Gr 4-6--During the last weeks of summer, Kaylan and her friend Arianna become very nervous about entering middle school. To alleviate some of their fears, they create an "11 Before 12" list--11 things that they hope will make them fabulous and confident by the time they turn 12 in November. After the two have initial success with list items such as "highlight our hair" and "make a guy friend," the school year starts, and the social dynamics of middle school put a strain on their friendship. With Arianna not speaking to her, Kaylan must figure out a new way to handle her anxiety and navigate tense situations at home. Kaylan finds support in unexpected places and discovers surprising strengths of her own, but she also realizes that she misses Arianna, and she works to regain her friendship so that they can celebrate the completion of their list. Although this story does not break much new ground, the voice of a tween dealing with the pressures of adolescence is authentic, and this book will entice those who want to read about a relatable, funny young woman. VERDICT Purchase where tales about the dramas of middle school and family life are in great demand.--Sarah Reid, Four County Library System, NY
Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
JUV039090 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | New Experience
JUV039020 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Adolescence
