EMMA MCKENNA, FULL OUT

A new school and an old embarrassment threaten Emma’s third grade year.

Emma is excited to start at the brand-new Curiosity Academy, but of the 18 kids in Mrs. Z’s class, one turns out to be her former BFF, Lucy. What if everyone learns about the humiliating nickname Lucy saddled her with last year? Emma doesn’t seem to notice that Lucy is avoiding her and not having a great time herself. As her peers introduce themselves, Emma becomes convinced that she’s the Least Interesting Person in class. Her plan to become more popular goes awry, and her hopes of learning to play the flute in music class are dashed. Still, the perceptive Mrs. Z finds a way to help Emma shine, and when the students start debating what the school’s new mascot should be, Emma hits upon the perfect idea: the capybara, a creature that gets along with everyone—just as Emma hopes to. Impulsive but kind Emma’s troubles are relatable, while brown-skinned Mrs. Z feels like a hip reincarnation of Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus books. When it comes to Emma and Lucy’s relationship, however, this engaging, low-key tale feels a bit unresolved, in part because of the series’ premise. Each title follows a different student and is written by a different author; readers will eventually learn Lucy’s full story. In Fajardo's cartoon artwork, Emma and Lucy present white; the class is diverse. Final art not seen.

A gentle back-to-school tale sure to resonate with youngsters confronting their own friendship woes.