Keep It Together, Keiko Carter

By Debbi Michiko Florence

Scholastic Inc., 2020. 293 p.

Keiko Carter has two best friends who tend to want different things. Keiko wants to please both of her friends, but when it comes to who likes what boys…then things get messy. Keiko also has to deal with the fact that her mom just got a new job and isn’t around as much anymore. Throw on top of that the fact that Keiko and her friends are all starting middle school and life is just complicated.

This is a great book for readers who are wondering about growing up—especially when it comes to how things might change when heading to middle school for the first time. Keiko deals with friendships, boys, navigating changes at home, starting her period, and figuring out if some people at school are being racist when they say things to her based on the fact that she is Asian-American. Readers will cheer Keiko on and will wish that her loyalty and friendship will win-out against all the dumb things that some tweens/teenagers do while in middle school. And, plus there is a sweet bit of romance that always tugs at the heartstrings. So good.

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