Too Cool for This School

“A compelling read about problems many early-adolescent readers will find familiar. Lane and her friends are believable and recognizable . . . Their emotions will ring true with readers, no matter how far in the past middle school lies. High drama so compelling middle school readers won’t realize they’re being exposed to a lesson in ethics.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Tracy (Bessica Lefter Bites Back) gives Lane a believable and drily funny voice in this story about loyalty and the complexities of friendship and family . . . The humorous moments and ethical quandaries make it an empathetic and entertaining read.” —Publishers Weekly

“The author has a real sense of tween dialogue, relationship dynamics, and preoccupations. Readers will recognize the Lanes in their lives and root for Mint in this gentle story of friendship and individuality.” —School Library Journal

“Tracy’s snappy, intelligent prose manages the delicate feat of allowing Lane a truthful narration (“I did stuff the way you were supposed to do stuff in order to live a fantastic life”) while making clear that her viewpoint is colored by selfishness and jealousy, demonstrating the disastrous effects of the crossroads of anxiety and ego. This is also a particularly fine outing for demonstrating the way mean-girling can swiftly gather speed as Lane manages to rationalize some horrible behavior and, in loyalty to her ousted friend, makes only the feeblest resistance to a plan that would leave Mint with an undeserved criminal record. Lane’s perspective makes this an excellent title for language arts use, and it could be a productive entry in a book club for a discussion of perspective and the way we’re all the good guys in our own lives.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“This lesson in learning to accept others and ourselves will hit a note with middle school students.” —Children’s Literature