Audrey L & Audrey W. Book 1, Best friends-ish

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Title:

Audrey L & Audrey W. Book 1, Best friends-ish

Alternate title:

Best friends-ish

Author:

Higgins, Carter, author.

Mann, Jennifer K., illustrator.

Series:

Audrey L and Audrey W ;

Series Number:

Summary:

Over the course of a week in school, this bighearted, true-to-life chapter book will resonate with any young reader who's ever felt overlooked, second-best, or defined according to someone else. The first in a series, Best Friends-Ish provides a fresh take on the joys and traumas of elementary school drama. More than anything, second-grader Audrey wants to be the best at something. It always feels like she's not-quite-enough—not smart enough, not fast enough, not funny enough. When her beloved Miss Fincastle announces that a new girl, another AUDREY, is joining the class, Audrey suddenly becomes Audrey L., which makes her feel worse than ever. But is the new Audrey all bad? Might the two Audreys have more in common than just their name? And if the girls become friends, how will Audrey ever figure out how to be her best self—if she can't even be the best Audrey? Visually dynamic and narratively unique, this chapter book series is perfect for fans of the Ivy + Bean, Deckawoo Drive, and The Penderwicks series. -- Amazon.com.

Audience:

Ages 7-10. Chronicle Books.

Physical Description:

181 pages : illustrations ; 19 cm.

Subject Term:

Identity (Psychology) -- Juvenile fiction.

Friendship -- Juvenile fiction.

Schools -- Juvenile fiction.

Author(s):

Mann, Jennifer K.,

Publisher:

Chronicle Books,

Publication Date:

2021

ISBN:

9781452183947

Publication Information:

San Francisco : Chronicle Books, [2021]

Call Number:

J HIGGINS

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003548388	Juvenile Fiction	HIGGINS	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

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Summary

The unique writing of Ivy + Bean meets the pep of Clementine and the authentic humor of Dory Fantasmagory in this chapter book series about two girls with the same name and absolutely, definitely, NOTHING else in common.

Over the course of a week in school, this bighearted, true-to-life chapter book will resonate with any young reader who's ever felt overlooked, second-best, or defined according to someone else. The first in a series, Best Friends-Ish provides a fresh take on the joys and traumas of elementary school drama.

More than anything, second-grader Audrey wants to be the best at something. It always feels like she's not-quite-enough--not smart enough, not fast enough, not funny enough.

When her beloved Miss Fincastle announces that a new girl, another AUDREY, is joining the class, Audrey suddenly becomes Audrey L., which makes her feel worse than ever.

But is the new Audrey all bad? Might the two Audreys have more in common than just their name? And if the girls become friends, how will Audrey ever figure out how to be her best self--if she can't even be the best Audrey?

Visually dynamic and narratively unique, this chapter book series is perfect for fans of the Ivy + Bean, Deckawoo Drive, and The Penderwicks series.

TONS OF ILLUSTRATIONS: The book has many black and white illustrations throughout, providing newer readers with the perfect on-ramp from early readers into novels. There's something visual on every page.

EMPATHY READ FOR BEGINNING READERS: This book is about embracing people's differences, understanding their similarities, and making new friends.

COMING-OF-AGE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: This book encourages young readers to consider and celebrate the things that make them unique, while recognizing that sharing some of those traits with someone else isn't a bad thing.

A DILEMMA EVERY KID FACES: Having to share a name with a classmate is one of the biggest nightmares for a kid. That extra last name initial becomes a part of who you are for years to come. It's an annoying, funny subject that kids everywhere will relate to.

UNFORGETTABLE, FUNNY WRITING: Carter Higgins's writing is special. This storytelling is friendly, funny, and genuinely good, with an unforgettable voice that doesn't sound like any other chapter books.

Perfect for: Beginning readers, Parents, Educators, Librarians, Grandparents, Anyone looking for a new series, Readers who love books set at school

Author Notes

Carter Higgins is the author of many books for kids, such as Everything You Need for a Treehouse, Bikes for Sale , and Circle Under Berry. This is her first chapter book. She writes about picture books and graphic design at her blog, Design of the Picture Book. She lives in Los Angeles, California, but you can always find her on Twitter and Instagram @carterhiggins.

Jennifer K. Mann lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest where she tends chickens, dogs, cats, and her kids and husband, when they aren't tending her. Jennifer draws many of her ideas from her own life experiences, or those of her children--and yes, some of her characters are quite autobiographical.

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 2--4--Audrey Locke loved first grade and was looking forward to second grade. Unfortunately, things haven't been as great as she hoped. Her friend Diego is hanging out with other kids. New things turn out to be important such as spelling, who has the best shoes, and whose art gets placed the highest on the filing cabinet. When Audrey L. becomes the Welcome Ambassador for new student Audrey W., she wonders if maybe they could become…friend-ish. They have a lot in common besides their names--both love the color purple and playing the glockenspiel. But Audrey L. is unsure about their friendship. Audrey L. struggles to accept it when Audrey W.'s name for their new class hermit crab is chosen, and Audrey W. seems to be the best at everything--even baking, which is one of her favorite and best things! And when her little brother paints Ms. Pinchcastle (the hermit crab) with nail polish, and Audrey W.'s cupcake is chosen as the best, Audrey L. has had it. Can she find a way to make amends with Audrey W., or will her hopes for a best friend be dashed? This delightful tale of friendship struggles and the uncertainties of school shines with humor and spirit. Mann's black-and-white line illustrations help break up the text and nicely complement the two Audrey's adventures. VERDICT A great addition to libraries where memorable girls like "Ivy + Bean," and "Judy Moody" are popular.--Heidi Grange, Summit Elem. Sch., Smithfield, UT

Publisher's Weekly Review

A rapport develops between two second graders in search of belonging in this crisply written chapter book debut, a series starter by Higgins (Circle Under Berry). Audrey Locke thought second grade would be "twice as fun as first," but all the newness soon proves overwhelming, and she questions whether she can be best at anything. Complicating matters, her old pal Diego seems to have moved on to a different friend group. When a transfer student shows up with the same name, newly dubbed Audrey "L" is made Welcome Ambassador to Audrey "W." Predictably, her efforts are not without mishap and embarrassment, and yet a "best friends-ish" camaraderie forms between the duo, who are clearly linked by their bigheartedness and sense of humor, not to mention a love of the color purple and alicorns (unicorns with wings). A minor crisis involving a hermit crab and a major meltdown by Audrey L add some easily resolved tension. Straightforward plotting emphasizes Audrey L's emotional journey and the classroom dynamics, while sketchlike b&w illustrations by Mann (The Camping Trip) break up the chapters. The Audreys make a winsome pair, and Higgins's empathic approach to storytelling promises more gentle hijinks as they navigate school and friendship. Ages 6--9. Author's agent: Rubin Pfeffer, Rubin Pfeffer Content. Illustrator's agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. (Oct.)