Izzy is a new 6^th grader in a much bigger middle school which she is NOT enjoying.  Many times she retreats to the bathroom stalls where she reads the comments on the walls and bemoans her situation.  In a novel-in-verse format Beth Ain continues the story begun in Izzy Kline has Butterflies with a book that stands on its own in a stream-of-consciousness style that is perfect for the way the middle school brain works.  Izzy has friend problems, an older brother who is too involved with tequila, parents that are divorced and involved with other people, a boy who is NOT A FRIEND, and a crush on a foreign exchange student.  Middle school is not easy, but Izzy perseveres and readers are left with the certainty that she will make it.

This book is perfect for 5^th-7^th graders who are struggling with the angst of moving to a larger school with many teachers, unfamiliar classmates, and of having the girls who had been friends now being too “shiny” as everyone strives to be popular.

I believe that this book should be on the Cream of the Crop list for its sympathetic depiction of growing up, for its verse format, and for its universal appeal.

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland