In The Role Of Brie Hutchens

YA fiction 

"Brie was almost positive her mom didn't like her.

     That wasn't to say her Mom didn't love her.  But Brie had a hard time believing that she liked her.  For example, Brie didn't believe she was the type of girl her mom would point at and go 'Now that is a good girl' if they met elsewhere.  Someone like Kennedy Bishop, on the other hand, was the quintessential good girl.  Everyone's mom liked Kennedy Bishop."

     For Brie, protagonist of Nicole Mellaby's In The Role Of Brie Hutchins, the best part of the day is when she and her mom watch soap operas together.  It's been their thing since early childhood.  

     In Brie's mind they don't have much else in common.  For one thing her mother is a devout Catholic who has her enrolled in parochial school, insists on her attending church twice a week, and seems to have a personal relationship with the Virgin Mary.  How will she react when she learns that Brie likes LIKES girls?

     And then there's Brie's impending transition to high school.  Brie is determined to become an actress.  Since fourth grade It's been her dream to attend Monmouth County Performing Arts.  

     "MCPA was a high school dedicated solely to the performing 🎭 arts--a school where she could learn how to be as good an actress as her favorite soap stars 🌟 on TV--and the brochure had lists of classes that included theater and television 📺 and film acting."

     Her mother is not a fan of this idea.  She's not impressed with Brie's less than stellar grades.  The family would have a really hard time affording her tuition.  She feels that an exclusive focus on a vocation very few people have a chance in is not exactly a winning strategy.

     Brie's emotions are complicated by her changing feelings about her high achieving rival.  She can't be crushing on Kennedy Bishop...

     ...or can she?

     Eighth grade with its imminent transition to high school can be a confusing transition.  In The Role Of Brie Hutchins is a wonderful read for people going through or vividly remembering it.

On a purrrsonal note, yesterday was an amazing day for me.  I started off weeding in the community garden.  I had some fresh blueberries and the first sungold tomatoes 🍅 😋 of the season.  Delish!  I bussed home to shower and change before going to campus and Wilson Center.  The pot luck was to die for.  Someone had brought in big cartons of blueberries 🫐 and strawberries 🍓 and I had birthday 🎂 white chocolate cocoa 😋 😍.   The banned books program went off so well.  People participated enthusiastically and authentically.  They really enjoyed 😉 ☺️ 🙂 making the bookmarks.  They agreed that the hands on activity made engaging in the conversation easier.  People thanked me for bringing the program.  It felt good to be alive.  (Jules)

She came home just about floating on air.  Nice.  (Tobago)

A great big shout out goes out to the participants.

Tobago and Jules Hathaway 

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