TBH, This is SO Awkward by Lisa Greenwald

Is this book is graphic novel? 

Is this book a run of the mill middle grade fiction book? 

Told in text messages between friends CeCe, Gabby and Priya, TBH: This is SO Awkward by Lisa Greenwald shows us how easy it is for us to be resist to change in fear of losing a friend.  Especially when it comes to those middle school years. 

Now, I know what you're thinking... No, this isn't a book about a topic pertaining to diversity, it doesn't fit the mold of juvenile and middle grade books that I have fallen in love with recently. 

While the title eludes to a topic that might be silly, it does carry a message.  Words can hurt.  

CeCe, Gabby and Priya are, for lack of better term, like the Three Musketeers.  They're known each other since they were babies because their moms are friends.  (This is something that the reader does see)

Gabby is partnered with the new girl, Victoria as her reading log buddy.  Being the new student is hard! From the class phone list, Victoria reaches out to the group with the goal of befriending them.  Like most new students, Victoria tries a little too hard and it results in Gabby and Priya thinking that she's a little strange.  CeCe tries to tell the girls that they need to give Victoria a chance.  

Priya can't help but express how she doesn't like Victoria and she's really not into the idea of giving her a chance.  The worst case scenario happens and.. Priya tells not only CeCe and Gabby how she feels about Victoria but she also tells Victoria!

This doesn't go over well because well, how could it?? CeCe gets upset and frustrated and tells the girls that she needs to take a break (Much to the horror of Gabby and Priya).  

As the reader, we see that Gabby does make a conscious effort to friend Victoria and that CeCe does make a new friend in one of the M girls (much to the horror of the girls again!) but the bond that CeCe, Priya and Gabby have is strong and they are able to move forward from this.  They even gain a new friend in Victoria!

Greenwald makes sure to show us that Victoria reaches out to her old friends for advice, the her mom reaches out to the principal and to the other parents to try and help Victoria along.  

OH - I forgot to mention that while all of this is going on, Gabby's mom announces that Gabby will be moving at the end of the year and there was also a scandal with a mysterious note and a boy named Colin. 

I thought this was a cute read and I would definitely recommend it! 

- Jillian