Click - Kayla Miller [HMH]
- Click - Fifth grader Olive is a social butterfly, friends with several disparate groups of kids. But when the talent show is announced, they all seem to form small groups, and Olive finds she no longer "clicks" with anyone. No one asks her to join their group and Olive gets depressed, until her favorite aunt inspires her. This is a very good kid's story about navigating friendships and being yourself. I was not a fan of the "Little Lulu" art style, but it doesn't detract from the story. [4]
- Act - Book three of Click. Olive is dismayed to learn that her school denies field trips to those who can't pay. An opportunity to do something about it arises when there are openings for student council. Unfortunately, two of her best friends announce their campaign, which threatens to drive a wedge between Olive and her friends. She continues on with her campaign despite how it irritates her peer group, and starts to learn of more injustices. When she does research, Olive learns about Stonewall, Black Lives Matter, the diner sit-ins, and other acts of justice in American history, which will surely get this book banned in the Cro-Magnon states. [4.5]
- Clash - This is book four in the Click series. In this one, a new cool girl, Nat, comes to school, and despite all of Olive's attempts to be welcoming, Nat seems to take a dislike to her. Soon, Nat is taking advantage of Olive's good nature and trying to take her friends. When Olive and her friends plan a Halloween party, it all comes to a head. This one wasn't as interesting to me as Click, because the issues addressed are so common in middle-grade media, and also because there wasn't a dramatic solution; Nat falls from grace all on her own. [3.5]
