September 9, 2025 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Jackie and Milo are next door neighbors who have been friends forever, spying on neighbors and calling each other endearing nicknames like "Stankbreath". When middle school starts, Milo spends more time with his soccer teammates, and Jackie's mother encourages her to spend more time hanging out with Adele and embracing more "feminine" pursuits. Jackie doesn't care about clothes or boys, but when Adele ane her friends give her a hard time, Jackie leaves herself a note that she's typed on her brother's typewriter from a "secret admirer" to divert their attention. She also tries some hair dye, which ends disasterously, and is the subject of teasing when her leg hair shows through the tights of a costume she wears at a school assembly. Milo's new soccer friends often make fun of her, and Milo does not stand up to them. Jabari, Jackie's brother who is away at college, often counsels her about being true to herself. It's something he has struggled with, since he occasionally wears dresses and has had some trouble getting support from their parents. As Jackie continues to get notes, fellow students opine on who might have sent them. Is it Milo? After some Valentine's Day drama, Jackie is angry with Milo, and at a sleepover, agrees to toilet paper his house, uses the paper to spell out his nickname, Stankbreath. They manage to overcome this, but when Jackie stands Milo up for the end of the year dance, he is angry again and tells the others that she's been sending notes to herself. Will Jackie be able to find a way to be herself in middle school without alienating her friends.
Strengths: The back and forth of who-likes-whom is very typical of middle school, and doesn't get enough coverage in most novels. Students still use the notes with the check boxes ("Do you like me? Yes, No"); I found one just last month! Fitting in is also a hard thing for middle schoolers to figure out, and Jackie's fights with Milo over their diverging interests are quite realistic. This follows the two through the school year, so covers major holidays and events. Jabari supporting Milo from college was good to see, and it's always good to have sibling and parent relationships depicted. Jackie is able to navigate some issues with her parents after her final blow up at the dance in a productive way. Fans of the Bagleys' Duel will be glad to see this new title.
Weaknesses: The students at my school all dress like Jackie-- the halls are a sea of black and gray hoodies over dark track pants or pajama pants. I'm sure all schools are different, but no one would be giving Jackie a hard time at my school.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like the anxiety and friend drama in Meeker and Davidson's Swing or Libenson's Nat Enough.
Weaknesses: The students at my school all dress like Jackie-- the halls are a sea of black and gray hoodies over dark track pants or pajama pants. I'm sure all schools are different, but no one would be giving Jackie a hard time at my school.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like the anxiety and friend drama in Meeker and Davidson's Swing or Libenson's Nat Enough.
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