So Not Okay

The prolific Rue follows her Lily, Lucy, and Sophie series for middle-graders with this first book in the Mean Girl Makeover series. Sixth-grader Tori Taylor’s close-knit group of friends has avoided being bullied by mean girl Kylie and her minions, the Pack. Until now. When Kylie picks on new student Ginger, Tori can’t remain a bystander, even if Tori’s best friend Ophelia begs her to avoid trouble. Teachers appear clueless about the subtleties of girl-on-girl bullying. Predictably, Kylie turns on Tori, too, but Tori and her friends have an advocate outside of school. Lydia, who works for Tori’s father and is a little person, helps them develop practical methods—and use prayer—to remain true to who they are while facing persecution. The writing can be clunky and sometimes tries too hard to sound like the voice of a 12-year-old girl (“So I was starting the day with a bad ’tude”), and the story reads like a case study in a tween psychology book, demonstrating strategies for real life. Still, the unfolding drama ought to engage readers. Ages 8–12. Agency: Alive Communications. (May)