{"product_id":"serena-says-isbn-9780062936974","title":"Serena Says","description":"\u003cp\u003eAward-winning author Tanita S. Davis delivers a heartwarming and humorous middle grade tale about a young Black girl who finds her own voice through vlogging and learns to speak out. Perfect for fans for Sharon M. Draper and Lisa Greenwald.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJC shines like a 4th of July sparkler. She has the best ideas, the biggest, funniest laugh, and the party starts when she arrives. Serena St. John is proud to be known as her best friend.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEverything changes when JC returns from the hospital with a new kidney—and a new best friend. Out of the spotlight of JC’s friendship, suddenly things aren’t quite so sparkly in Serena’s world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLonely Serena works on perfecting her vlogs, hoping to earn a shot at becoming a classroom reporter. If she can be smart and funny on video, why can’t she manage that in real life? If only she could always pause, edit, or delete conversations. It would be so much easier to say the right thing at the right time . . . instead of not saying what she should, or, even worse, blurting out a secret that wasn’t hers to share.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLife doesn’t have a pause button—but as Serena discovers her voice through vlogging, she learns that she’s not just there to reflect JC’s light—she’s fully capable of shining on her own.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eVlogging is more than a hobby—it’s a chance for Serena to become the main character in her own life.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eA Heartfelt Friendship Story:\u003c\/b\u003e From inseparable besties to awkward strangers, Serena has to navigate the confusion and heartbreak of watching her friend JC drift away after a life-changing surgery.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFinding Your Voice:\u003c\/b\u003e Serena starts a vlog, \"Serena Says,\" discovering that behind the camera she can be the funny, smart person she struggles to be in the school hallways.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAn Authentic Black Heroine:\u003c\/b\u003e A funny, heartwarming, and totally relatable story about a young Black girl learning to shine and take up space, perfect for any kid who’s ever felt like a sidekick.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHumorous Middle School Drama:\u003c\/b\u003e Filled with all the awkward, cringey, and hilarious moments of sixth grade, from class projects to wishing life had a pause button.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e | \u003cp\u003e\"Middle school energy forms a bustling backdrop for this clever story of navigating changing relationships and developing a sense of personal identity. Secondary characters and storylines provide humor and pathos while at the center is spirited, smart Serena, someone readers will appreciate and cheer. A delightful multicultural narrative that spotlights friendship and self-awareness.\"   \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Serena is a smart, intuitive Black girl with relatable fears and insecurities; as the book progresses, she decides she’s ready to step into the spotlight all on her own. Davis capably touches on matters of chronic illness, mental health, and friendship growing pains in this quiet but impactful slice-of-life novel.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Throughout the story, Serena develops an earnest and sincere voice the world needs to hear. The dialogue is well paced. Davis intersperses day-to-day occurrences with heavier topics such as physical and mental illness and cultural representation [along with a]n appealing cast of family, friends, and classmates.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eHorn Book Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"[Serena] learns to communicate her feelings, and respect her friends’ boundaries. The book also aptly depicts mental health and the importance of privacy. A diverse and lively cast of characters helps propel the story forward. While Serena is in middle school, the prose reads at a younger level and would appeal to elementary-age children. VERDICT . . .  young readers will find in Serena an energetic friend working through the challenges of growing up.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44889343492325,"sku":"NP9780062936974","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780062936974.jpg?v=1730231050","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/serena-says-isbn-9780062936974","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}