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Review: Last Day Pool Party

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Last Day Pool Party
By Emma Steinkellner
New York: Labyrinth Road, 2026. Comic. 176 pgs.

It's the last day of eighth grade and things already feel like they're changing. Dustin, who has never been popular, is hosting a pool party and has invited the whole class. Popular Maya, who used to be Dustin's friend, is attending only because her mom is making her - after she made a prank video that hurt Dustin's feelings. Paul is Maya's cousin who would rather be at home playing video games, but was given the choice of going to the party or his brother's ball game. Liv and Juhi are lifelong best friends who are about to be torn apart, as Juhi is moving to London and Liv feels frantic to find a new bestie. And then there's Rose. Tired of feeling invisible, she is determined to accomplish everything on her eighth grade bucket list in one night.

Taking place over the span of just a few hours, this book captures all the angst and excitement of finishing middle school and starting high school. This is a story all about friendships - how they end, how they start, and how they change. Silly, sweet, and nostalgic this book is a great end of school year read. The illustrations are a highlight for me, with expressive faces and a beautiful transition from daylight to twilight. 
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