Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by heykellyjensen
On Again, Awkward Again by Erin Entrada Kelly, Kwame Mbalia
Told in alternating voices, this story follows freshmen Pacy and Cecil. It's their freshman year of high school and on day one, they run into each other. There are sparks between them immediately, but both of them are feeling their awkward selves too much to admit to it. Pacy believes romance and love are propaganda. Cecil is dealing with a lot of changes at home, including the fear his parents might be divorcing–and that he has IBS and it's flaring up doesn't help.
But the two of them are both voluntold to be part of the freshman dance committee, and they begin spending more and more time together. There's no denying feelings, but neither of them can admit that what they're feeling is real. It will take many weeks and a whole lot of mishaps to finally acknowledge that maybe they should give a relationship a go.
This is a very funny read, with two dorky but realistic characters. Pacy has a hard time letting down her guard, and at times, she's extremely judgmental of other people. Cecil has been struggling to get a rhythm down on his djembe drum for an assignment while regularly worrying about his IBS flaring (and that doesn't touch upon his father's music-themed b&b project or his parents impending separation). The couple has a lot of things between them but the longer they spend time together, the more the reader shouts for them to just finally kiss. The chemistry is well-done, as is the pacing.
Is it over the top? Yep. Is that over the topness what makes it such a fun read and one that will appeal to a lot of readers? Yep. This is such a fabulous YA debut for two middle grade mavericks and it will appeal to younger teen readers, to older tween readers, and anyone who wants to relive just how awkward it is to feel real feelings while navigating the strange terrain of being a high school freshman.
But the two of them are both voluntold to be part of the freshman dance committee, and they begin spending more and more time together. There's no denying feelings, but neither of them can admit that what they're feeling is real. It will take many weeks and a whole lot of mishaps to finally acknowledge that maybe they should give a relationship a go.
This is a very funny read, with two dorky but realistic characters. Pacy has a hard time letting down her guard, and at times, she's extremely judgmental of other people. Cecil has been struggling to get a rhythm down on his djembe drum for an assignment while regularly worrying about his IBS flaring (and that doesn't touch upon his father's music-themed b&b project or his parents impending separation). The couple has a lot of things between them but the longer they spend time together, the more the reader shouts for them to just finally kiss. The chemistry is well-done, as is the pacing.
Is it over the top? Yep. Is that over the topness what makes it such a fun read and one that will appeal to a lot of readers? Yep. This is such a fabulous YA debut for two middle grade mavericks and it will appeal to younger teen readers, to older tween readers, and anyone who wants to relive just how awkward it is to feel real feelings while navigating the strange terrain of being a high school freshman.