The Greenies (The Greenies #1)

Following her parents’ divorce, seventh grader Violet and her mother move to St. Louis halfway through the school year. Violet adopts the mantra “fake it ’til you make it”—when interacting with a classmate, the tween resolves to believe that her peer “wants to be friends and then maybe she will.” Violet’s mentality proves fruitful as she’s soon absorbed into a boisterous friend group that loves to let the good times roll, even if it sometimes gets them into trouble. Attending detention after a teacher busts her friends’ unauthorized party beneath the school bleachers, Violet is tasked with helping the Enviro-Club with their recycling duties. Amiable adult characters support the kids as they navigate humorous and empathetically portrayed interpersonal challenges alongside lightly approached topics regarding environmental stewardship. Debut illustrator Kennedy’s saturated, fluid cartooning and movement-filled panels convey this bright and lively series starter by Mills (Something Close to Magic) about realistic middle school struggles surrounding friendship triumphs and trials with pals both old and new. Characters are depicted with varying skin tones. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Bridget Smith, JABberwocky Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Nicole Tugeau, Tugeau 2. (Mar.)