TBH, This Is So Awkward by Lisa Greenwald (review)

Text messages, emails, journal entries, assignment prompts, and old-fashioned handwritten notes and postcards guide readers through a couple months of sixth-grade drama between three BFFs and a new girl named Victoria. Cecily, Prianka, and Gabrielle stay in fairly constant touch even when they can't use their phones, but when Victoria tries to break into their trio, they don't respond, even though Cecily shows some empathy for Victoria's obvious loneliness, and Gabrielle chats with her via their online reading log. Pri thinks Victoria's weird, however, and her mismanaging of group texts results in a hurtful message's reaching Victoria. Victoria's mother writes to the principal, parents start spying on their kids' electronic and print communications, the principal warns students against online cruelty and then cancels the Valentine's Day Dance, and Cecily comes up with an idea to save the day. As one might imagine, there are lots of plot gaps here, forcing readers to fill in what's happening IRL and among other texters that might prompt such strong adult response. The layout is enticing and readable; the theme is timely and there is utility in addressing potential problems before they escalate. The definition of "social cruelty" is a bit stretched given what's on the page, however, and characters are distinguished by a single personality dimension; the sentiment about what sixth-graders should and should not be doing becomes heavy-handed. The fact that the kids come up with ways to confront their own problems makes this a useful discussion starter, though, and the notion of peeking into private communication will likely have appeal. A (largely unnecessary) glossary of texting abbreviations is included. KC