Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai

by Debbi Michiko Florence

Overview

Fans of Lisa Greenwald and Wendy Mass are sure to fall head-over-heels for this funny, sweet story of crushes, competition, and the confusing reality of middle school.

"Heartbreak is for suckers." — Jenna Sakai

When Jenna gets dumped over winter break, it confirms what she learned from her parents' messy divorce: Relationships are risky and only lead to disappointment. So even though she still has to see her ex-boyfriend Elliott at newspaper club, Jenna is going to be totally heartless this semester — no boys, just books.

But keeping her cool isn't always easy. Jenna's chief competition for a big journalism scholarship is none other than Elliott. Her best friend Keiko always seems busy with her own boyfriend. And cute-but-incredibly-annoying Rin Watanabe keeps stealing her booth at the diner she's been hiding at every day after school. Rin is every bit as stubborn and detached as Jenna. And the more Jenna gets to know him, the more intriguing a mystery he seems. Soon Jenna is starting to realize that being a loner is kind of, well, lonely. And letting people in might just be a risk worth taking.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781338671568
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	08/03/2021
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	1,083,429
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.30(d)
Lexile:	580L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Debbi Michiko Florence is the author of Keep It Together, Keiko Carter, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and New England Book Award finalist, Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai, and the Jasmine Toguchi chapter books. A third-generation Japanese American and native Californian, Debbi lives in Connecticut with her husband, rescue dog, and rabbit. Visit her online at debbimichikoflorence.com.

Editorial Reviews

★ 2021-06-01
Jenna Sakai, seventh grade superstar journalist in the making, tackles the story of her life.

Japanese American Jenna from Keep It Together, Keiko Carter (2020) is having quite the school year. Her parents are still adjusting after a nasty divorce, and her boyfriend and fellow student journalist Elliot Oxford has broken up with her. Nursing a bruised, but not broken, heart on multiple fronts, she becomes more resolved than ever to protect herself and focus on her goals as a hard-hitting investigative reporter. This is not without challenges in the form of having to write a personal essay for newspaper club and scoping out a stellar story for a journalism scholarship competition, all while trying to reconnect with her friend Keiko. Jenna finds some solace in hanging out in a Broadway-themed diner, but when the mysterious and artistic Rin Watanabe encroaches on her preferred Hamilton booth, she has to determine if his presence is annoying or—possibly worse—welcome. Jenna faces even more surprises as her scholarship article forces her to reexamine her own emotional journey and biases. Florence offers a tightly written narrative that is as fearless as it is balanced, diving into complicated feelings of distrust and isolation while still offering glimmers of friendship and hope. Jenna’s honest voice shines with clarity, portraying a flawed but relatable protagonist whom readers will root for.

This entertaining read is as complex as it is delightful. (Fiction. 9-12)

Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai:

* "A tightly written narrative that is as fearless as it is balanced...offering glimmers of friendship and hope." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A beautiful story about healing from heartbreak, and discovering the strength that comes from opening your heart to others. Jenna is a gem!" — Jo Knowles, award-winning author of Where the Heart Is

Praise for Keep It Together, Keiko Carter:

"Sweet and smart." — Kirkus Reviews

"Charming." — Booklist

"Florence's tween drama will resonate." — School Library Journal

“This is the book I wish I could take back in time and give to my tween self.” — Christina Soontornvat, Newbery Honor-winning author of A Wish in the Dark

“Keep It Together, Keiko Carter takes an honest look at friendship fallouts and changing family dynamics with sweetness and sincerity that will make you cheer for Keiko as she learns to manage it all without losing herself.” — Jessica Kim, author of Stand Up, Yumi Chung!

"In this deft, empathetic, and humorous narrative, Debbi Michiko Florence has expertly captured the joy and heartbreak of middle school." — Andrea Wang, award-winning author of Magic Ramen, The Many Meanings of Meilan, and Watercress

From the Publisher

Narrator Sophie Oda perfectly voices the tension, passion, and frustration that fill the life of middle-school student Jenna Sakai. Jenna is so over feeling bad about breaking up with her boyfriend and her parents’ divorce. Attempting to move on, she decides to bury herself in her investigative article for her school’s new journalism prize. Oda crafts varied and realistic character voices for the myriad teens in this story. When Jenna faces off against the enigmatic Rin Watanabe in an argument over her favorite table at her local diner, Oda's tonal changes reveal the stormy emotions Jenna has been keeping a lid on. This story of finding your own space and self in the midst of constant change makes for a great listen. S.T.C. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

JULY 2021 - AudioFile

Narrator Sophie Oda perfectly voices the tension, passion, and frustration that fill the life of middle-school student Jenna Sakai. Jenna is so over feeling bad about breaking up with her boyfriend and her parents’ divorce. Attempting to move on, she decides to bury herself in her investigative article for her school’s new journalism prize. Oda crafts varied and realistic character voices for the myriad teens in this story. When Jenna faces off against the enigmatic Rin Watanabe in an argument over her favorite table at her local diner, Oda's tonal changes reveal the stormy emotions Jenna has been keeping a lid on. This story of finding your own space and self in the midst of constant change makes for a great listen. S.T.C. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

JULY 2021 - AudioFile