Friday, December 7, 2018

Eliza Bing is (not) a Star by Carmella Van Vleet - ADVISABLE

Eliza Bing is (not) a Star by Carmella Van Vleet, 249 pages. Holiday House 2018 $16.99.

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL,  MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Eliza Bing has started middle school. She and her best friend Annie are keeping a list of "how to survive 6th grade", which is proving difficult as Eliza has already caused a rainstorm and flood in the science room and kids are calling her Nimbus. Resilient Eliza is trying to negotiate being best friends as Annie is really her first. So, she decides to be the best best friend and tries out for the play with Annie who wants to grow up and be an actress. Turns out, Eliza is good at acting, which threatens the 8th grade star and complicates the show. 

Finally, a sequel to Eliza Bing is (not) a Big Fat Quitter! There is a lot going on, school drama, family drama, drama drama . . . but Van Vleet has done a masterful job of neatly tying everything together. Eliza has grown up a little and so have the issues, (family conflict) but the lessons (friendship, confidence, resilience) are important on any level. 

 Lisa Librarian 

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