Brianna Banana, Helper of the Day

Impulsive and enthusiastic almost-nine-year-old Brianna Ross—who reads as white and is depicted with banana yellow hair—thinks third grade is “as stinky as old cat farts” in this rewarding early reader chapter book that’s reminiscent of Junie B. Jones. Everyone calls her Brianna Banana (her mother says it’s “because it is a fun name to say”), she has no friends in her class, and she gets in trouble daily because “my mad happens so fast.” She’s sure everything will change if she’s declared Helper of the Day—except new classmate Rumi (“She moved new to our whole entire country”) is made Helper instead. When Brianna offers quiet, overwhelmed Rumi aid, the girls strike up a tentative friendship. But will their budding relationship survive a quest to return books to the upstairs library? Well-meaning Brianna’s smart narration relates her struggles coping with family upheaval, bullying, and frequent communication snafus and misunderstandings with adults as well as her yearning for a best friend. Grayscale illustrations by Ogawa evoke Raina Telgemeier vibes and bring funny scenes of this charming read by Button (The First Ones on the Ice) to vivid life. Ages 6–8. (Feb.)