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barberchicago_books's review
4.0
Serena Says is a wonderful middle grade novel about change, friendship, and finding your voice. I loved seeing Serena grow both through her actions and via her vlog.
It’s also important to note that the book highlights that friendships can change, but they don’t necessarily have to end. There are infinite reasons for friendships to evolve, some big, some really small, and Serena Says highlighted this.
Finally, I’m thrilled to see a book with characters of color that wasn’t about race. Don’t get me wrong, books like Blended, What Lane?, and Black Brother, Black Brother are VITAL, but it’s also important to see Black kids and kids of color just being.
Wanted to know more about Harrison. Maybe the author is saving his story for a companion?
Will definitely add to my classroom library.
It’s also important to note that the book highlights that friendships can change, but they don’t necessarily have to end. There are infinite reasons for friendships to evolve, some big, some really small, and Serena Says highlighted this.
Finally, I’m thrilled to see a book with characters of color that wasn’t about race. Don’t get me wrong, books like Blended, What Lane?, and Black Brother, Black Brother are VITAL, but it’s also important to see Black kids and kids of color just being.
Wanted to know more about Harrison. Maybe the author is saving his story for a companion?
Will definitely add to my classroom library.
tricialprice's review
3.0
This is a lovely story, and I enjoyed it. And I certainly think it's great that there are stories about middle-class Black kids at fantastic schools where racism doesn't even come into play. But I don't think the kids at my Title 1 school will really identify with this book. They wouldn't understand pressure to put together amazing raffle baskets, school spirit events, etc. It would be a window into a different world for them, not a mirror of their own experience.
thisgrrlreads's review against another edition
3.0
Serena wants to be a vlogger so we get to “see” all her through the book, but the real story is her changing friendship with her best friend JC who just had a kidney transplant. It seems like the hospital stay has changed JC but is it just what happens in 6th grade? Serena’s mom and older sister are supportive in a really nice way as Serena works it all out. The school scenes work and the other characters are not caricatures.
I liked the way it wrapped up, with Serena and JC finding a way to be some kind of friends through it all and Serena accepting that she is changing too.
I liked the way it wrapped up, with Serena and JC finding a way to be some kind of friends through it all and Serena accepting that she is changing too.
amengels's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC.
*3.5 stars
Serena Says is a slice of life story about Serena's 1st semester of 6th grade after her best friends gets a kidney transplant. Serena and JC lose touch after a new girl comes to school.
The best thing about this book is the effortless diversity. Most of the characters are different from each other and it's not a big deal. I also like that Serena is a Black character and her story doesn't revolve around Black pain.
I found that the student's actions in student senate seemed a little too old for middle schoolers. They came off too old and responsible.
The story is cute overall. I liked the vlogging elements and the characters.
*3.5 stars
Serena Says is a slice of life story about Serena's 1st semester of 6th grade after her best friends gets a kidney transplant. Serena and JC lose touch after a new girl comes to school.
The best thing about this book is the effortless diversity. Most of the characters are different from each other and it's not a big deal. I also like that Serena is a Black character and her story doesn't revolve around Black pain.
I found that the student's actions in student senate seemed a little too old for middle schoolers. They came off too old and responsible.
The story is cute overall. I liked the vlogging elements and the characters.
adoras's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for an ARC.
This book fully transported me back to middle school and late-elementary school: the friend dynamics, the feeling of being uncomfortable in your own skin, and the way your relationships with your classmates can change drastically over the course of a year or even a couple months. I loved the focus on being able to accept these changes, and on friendship in general. This book had a positive but realistic feel, where many of the issues the characters were going through weren't wrapped up perfectly, but all the characters (and the reader) are given the tools they need to move forward.
This book does deal with some heavy issues in a way that I thought was perfect for the target age group. It talks about mental health, as well as featuring a character who has had a kidney transplant and is in recovery. Just as with the rest of the plot, there are no easy fixes or answers to what some of the characters are going through, but everything is spoken about in an empathetic and straight-forward manner.
I really enjoyed the vlog format, and how it showed Serena's increased confidence and ability to assert herself and find new interests.
This book fully transported me back to middle school and late-elementary school: the friend dynamics, the feeling of being uncomfortable in your own skin, and the way your relationships with your classmates can change drastically over the course of a year or even a couple months. I loved the focus on being able to accept these changes, and on friendship in general. This book had a positive but realistic feel, where many of the issues the characters were going through weren't wrapped up perfectly, but all the characters (and the reader) are given the tools they need to move forward.
This book does deal with some heavy issues in a way that I thought was perfect for the target age group. It talks about mental health, as well as featuring a character who has had a kidney transplant and is in recovery. Just as with the rest of the plot, there are no easy fixes or answers to what some of the characters are going through, but everything is spoken about in an empathetic and straight-forward manner.
I really enjoyed the vlog format, and how it showed Serena's increased confidence and ability to assert herself and find new interests.
marywahlmeierbracciano's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
Serena can’t wait to visit her best friend JC in the hospital as she recovers from surgery, but when Serena comes down with a cold, a new classmate gets to visit JC instead. All of the sudden, JC seems to have a new best friend, and Serena’s feeling left out. Meanwhile, Serena practices vlogging at home, speaking her mind and hoping to post on her sister’s YouTube channel when she’s ready. Between growing pains and group projects, Serena could use some confidence now more than ever. A sweet story with realistic conflicts and a super diverse cast, Serena Says is a fast favorite!
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