TBH, This Is So Awkward

Told through text messages, passed notes, and emails, this series kickoff introduces sixth-grade BFFs Cecily, Gabby, and Prianka. Gabby is keeping a couple secrets from her friends, including her crush on a classmate, but otherwise the girls share their thoughts on everything, from attending their first boy-girl party to joining the committee to organize the Valentine’s Day dance. Problems surface when new student Victoria hopes to join their circle. Cecily wants to include Victoria, Gabby and Pri think she’s weird, and things come to a head when Pri accidentally texts a thoughtless remark about Victoria in a group chat that Victoria is part of, leading to an exploration of cyberbullying and ways kids can counter it. In this fine successor to Lauren Myracle’s TTYL and its sequels, Greenwald (11 Before 12) realistically captures the language of texting tweens, including exuberant use of emoji, and how mistakes can be made and tone misunderstood amid rapid-fire digital conversations. All three girls are sympathetic in their imperfect approaches to the challenges of middle school. Ages 8–12. Agent: Alyssa Eisner Henkin, Trident Media Group. (Jan.)