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amengels's review
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.
jbrooxd's review
3.0
[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
3.5 stars = Good+
I enjoyed this friendship story with an emphasis on finding your voice. Serena is a great character. I think kids will enjoy her vlog entries as she tries to find the right rhythm as well as her comfort in front of the camera. Her growth there translates to some growth in her relationships, and at school, which I enjoyed a lot.
There's an interesting piece to the friendship story that surprised me. Serena's struggles with JC and her relationship with a new friend are fairly typical for middle grade books. But here, it's framed as a normal part of growing up. Friendships change as the individuals in them change, and that doesn't mean anyone is bad or wrong. It just happens. I would have liked a little more empathy for Serena as she struggles with this; the feedback that these things happen could come off a little unsympathetic. But I liked the overall message.
Add this to your home or classroom library if you are looking for a good friendship story with a side of finding-your-voice-and-using-it. I think kids will enjoy Serena's story!
3.5 stars = Good+
I enjoyed this friendship story with an emphasis on finding your voice. Serena is a great character. I think kids will enjoy her vlog entries as she tries to find the right rhythm as well as her comfort in front of the camera. Her growth there translates to some growth in her relationships, and at school, which I enjoyed a lot.
There's an interesting piece to the friendship story that surprised me. Serena's struggles with JC and her relationship with a new friend are fairly typical for middle grade books. But here, it's framed as a normal part of growing up. Friendships change as the individuals in them change, and that doesn't mean anyone is bad or wrong. It just happens. I would have liked a little more empathy for Serena as she struggles with this; the feedback that these things happen could come off a little unsympathetic. But I liked the overall message.
Add this to your home or classroom library if you are looking for a good friendship story with a side of finding-your-voice-and-using-it. I think kids will enjoy Serena's story!
j_b_'s review
Skimmed to get a good grasp for reader's advisory. Seems like a good fit for middle grade girls who love realistic fiction.
jennybeastie's review
4.0
Solid middle grade story -- on the one hand all about friendship dynamics and confidence building -- with some really good advice from the older sister that I haven't seen in many other books for this age. She basically says that friendships are going to change and that it's more about the people growing and changing rapidly than it is about rejection. On the other hand, models some really good behavior around sharing other people's secrets, normalizing mental health an addiction issues, and also has a young person undergoing a kidney transplant. There's a lot of good stuff in here.
backonthealex's review
3.0
When her best friend JC goes to the hospital for a kidney transplant, Serena uses the time to try to overcome her fear of public speaking by creating a vlog. Finally, Serena is supposed to visit JC in the hospital as their class ambassador, but gets a cold and another girl takes her place. Before long, Serena begins to feel pushed away by JC who seems to want to hang with Lani now. Can these two long time besties work things out.
nwlyon80's review
4.0
A very delightful story about losing a best friend and finding your own voice.
sumsanfo's review
5.0
Love love loved this book. I am not a fan of realistic fiction but this book rocked. It was so engaging and relatable.
laurielou73's review
5.0
Reading this book was like traveling back in time and reliving all of those middle school highs and lows. Highs like making new friends and growing into your voice as a leader; lows like losing your best friend without really knowing what went wrong. Serena accurately narrates these ups and downs with the confusion and confidence of a typical middle-schooler. I appreciated her relationship with her family and with her classmates as she sees some of them with a new perspective, but most of all, the author doesn't work to resolve Serena's friendship with JC. Instead, she writes this relationship realistically - friendships change and evolve, and through it all Serena thrives and takes advantage of her time to shine.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC. Definitely one for the classroom library.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC. Definitely one for the classroom library.
barberchicago_books's review against another edition
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.