Nice and Mean
What’s in and what’s out? When is originality cool? Popularity and diversity are at the heart of the drama in this story of middle-school peer pressure. Two girls, Sachi and Marina, team up in video class, where Marina wants to expose a bully on film. The story’s many clothing details will date quickly, but middle-school readers, whether they’re from the in-crowd or outsiders, will recognize the classroom-jungle warfare and the big issues behind what they decide to wear. Grades 5-7. --Hazel Rochman