Emmie and Friends - Terri Libenson
Becoming Brianna - Although brainy Brianna dislikes the spotlight, she still reluctantly allows her rather over-enthusiastic mother to talk her into going through a bat mitzvah. This requires that she make a speech and learn the Hebrew necessary to do so. She isn't particularly religious, and she turns to her rabbit to help her with questions. She must also juggle school drama, liking boys, and the dynamics of divorced parents. When her bat mitzvah somehow becomes a "hot event" with kids clamoring for invitations, Brianna knows she must somehow take control. This is in my opinion the best of this series, taking as it does an even-handed look at stage fright, friendship dilemmas, and religion. I really liked the way it was told in a time-skipping fashion, starting at eight months before the event and interspersing scenes from the event with the flashbacks as it gets closer. That increased the drama and feeling of anxiety. [4]
Truly Tyler (2021) - Tyler, previously defined only as a basketball player (especially in his absent father's eyes), is paired with Emmie on an art project. Collaborating on their comic, they both start to change. Tyler realizes that he has more interests than basketball, and wonders if that's something he's "supposed" to do, as his friends gently turn on him. Emmie, meanwhile, crushes hard on Tyler, and thinks she needs to ditch her nerdy friends to impress him, specifically Sarah. I liked how the kids' comic about ghosts neatly paralleled their own growth and interaction. This is definitely up there with the best of this series.
