Too Cool for This School

Lane Cisco works hard to be popular and, as a result, her life is pretty perfect. She has three amazing best friends and a “secret boyfriend” (they’ve held hands and texted, but aren’t “official” yet). Best of all, Lane has just been chosen to be sixth-grade class captain, a pinnacle of popularity. These successes are thrown into flux when her Alaskan cousin Angelina (nicknamed Mint) comes to stay for a month. Independent-minded Mint couldn’t care less about fitting in, and she ignores “girl code,” quickly befriending Lane’s secret boyfriend, Todd, and moving in on a boy that Lane’s friend Ava has a crush on. As Mint gains notoriety, Ava begins a quest to crush Mint, and Lane is torn between protecting Mint and being infuriated by her cousin’s behavior. Tracy (Bessica Lefter Bites Back) gives Lane a believable and drily funny voice in this story about loyalty and the complexities of friendship and family. Though the plot is somewhat slow to build, the humorous moments and ethical quandaries make it an empathetic and entertaining read. Ages 10–up. Agent: Sara Crowe, Harvey Klinger. (Aug.)