Serena Says

September 15, 2020
Eleven-year-old Serena has always considered herself to be the sidekick to her best friend, JC. Serena has been anticipating their first visit in over a week, as JC is hospitalized following a kidney transplant. Unfortunately, Serena comes down with a bad cold, and classmate Leilani steps into her role as class ambassador to deliver the gift bag they put together at school. Soon JC is full of talk about Lani, and Serena finds herself resentful of their closeness. Despite the efforts of her mother and older sister, Serena has trouble accepting that relationships change and feels pushed aside despite having new activities and friendships. She even wonders if race is a factor: She is Black while JC is Filipina and Lani is Hawaiian. However, JC's medical issues have exacted a toll: She has become prickly around Serena and seems to reserve her good humor for her new friend. Serena practices recording a personal vlog where she pours out her feelings. It takes time, but Serena does find her own worth and even manages to stand up to her best friend. Middle school energy forms a bustling backdrop for this clever story of navigating changing relationships and developing a sense of personal identity. Secondary characters and storylines provide humor and pathos while at the center is spirited, smart Serena, someone readers will appreciate and cheer. A delightful multicultural narrative that spotlights friendship and self-awareness. (Fiction. 8-12)

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October 5, 2020
Eleven-year-old Serena St. John, who is Black, does not like to stand out, unlike her best friend, outgoing JC, who is Filipina and has always been “funnier and louder and more confident than everyone.” But when Serena’s untimely cold following JC’s kidney transplant puts JC in the path of a replacement best friend—Hawaiian Leilani, who is seemingly perfect and has cool older brothers—Serena has to figure who she is outside her now-former best friend’s shadow. Serena is a smart, intuitive Black girl with relatable fears and insecurities; via school projects and a vlog series that slowly improves as the book progresses, she decides she’s ready to step into the spotlight all on her own. Through Serena and her close-knit family and friends, Davis capably touches on matters of chronic illness, mental health, and friendship growing pains in this quiet but impactful slice-of-life novel. Ages 8–12. Agent: Steve Chudney, the Chudney Agency.

November 1, 2020

Gr 4-6-Davis brings to life a sensitive, imaginative heroine navigating the turmoils of middle school. After her friend JC's kidney transplant, Serena, a young Black girl, observes a shift in their friendship. She worries their interests and social circles have changed, and turns to vlogging as a means of self-expression and creativity. Chapters alternate between transcriptions of her videos (which include DIY crafts and anecdotes) and her day-to-day life. When JC ends up back in the hospital, Serena is forced to confront their differences, while dealing with the upcoming WinterFest at school and her role on the school's senate. She learns to communicate her feelings, and respect her friends' boundaries. The book also aptly depicts mental health and the importance of privacy. A diverse and lively cast of characters helps propel the story forward. Serena's family dynamics may feel particularly believable and relatable to youngsters: a nagging sister, tense family dinners, and frustrating conversations with parents. While Serena is in middle school, the prose reads at a younger level and would appeal to elementary-age children. VERDICT The story line lacks focus at times, and the purpose of the vlogs is unclear. However, young readers will find in Serena an energetic friend working through the challenges of growing up.-Katherine Hickey, Metropolitan Lib. Syst., Oklahoma City

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2020
Grades 4-6 Accustomed to being the youngest in her class and sometimes the only Black girl, 11-year-old Serena records her thoughts as she navigates the choppy waters of friendship in her multiracial middle school. She can't wait to see JC, her best friend, who's in the hospital recovering after kidney-transplant surgery. But when a cold sidelines Serena, their teacher asks their classmate Lani to take her place as class ambassador by visiting JC. As JC recovers, she bonds with Lani, leaving Serena feeling rejected, hurt, and lonely. At intervals, she practices recording sessions for a vlog featuring her activities and reflections. On and off camera, Serena initially comes across as awkward and self-conscious, but as she absorbs advice about friendships, she begins to act on it, becoming increasingly sure of herself and more insightful about others. Her newfound confidence shines through during her final vlog recording. The realistic portrayals of her busy but supportive mother and prickly older sister make her gradual transformation more convincing. An engaging first-person narrative with an eye-catching image of Serena on the book jacket.

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