"If you could be anyone in the world, who would you be? An athlete? How about the most popular girl in school? My name is Charlie Harper. I'm twelve years old and today is my first day of middle school.
Charlie, protagonist of Sharee Millar's juvenile graphic novel, Curlfriends: New In Town, is a seasoned veteran of first days. Her dad has been in the Air Force all her life. Constantly having to make new friends and try to fit in hasn't been easy for her. And with this move the stakes are higher. Her dad is finally out of the Air Force and settling the family down in the town where he grew up. The first impression Charlie makes is going to shape her life for quite awhile.
But Charlie has a plan. She's spent the summer curating her wardrobe and persona—making sure there's nothing too babyish in either, ditching garments and interests that don't fit with her new image.
When she meets three potential friends she busies herself with being mature and cool enough to keep their interest. When they go thrift shopping she consults a smuggled in fashion magazine instead of her girls. She makes herself sick drinking boba tea rather that admitting she can't drink it. Before they come to her house she crams her stuffed animals and other "childish" things into her closet.
But what if they'd like her for her true self?
Miller takes a potentially shop worn message and makes it sparkle.
And this is the first volume in a series that will engage and captivate the many series loving readers in its target demographic.
On a purrrsonal note, I can really relate. I had to do my high school years in five different schools. I still have nightmares of standing in a school cafeteria holding a tray and searching desperately for a friendly face.
A great big shout out to new girls and boys in schools and the kind classmates who reach out to them.
Jules Hathaway
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