With her mom's new boyfriend, her best friend's new crush, and her dad's interest in her gym teacher, Berry vows to never catch a crush—and to show everyone how much better things would be without theirs—in this stand-alone contemporary middle grade from Tanita S. Davis, author of The Science of Friendship and Partly Cloudy.
Every year, Berry’s mom, Ivy, visits for a three-week “August Invasion.” And every summer Berry hopes will be the one when Ivy will stay—forever.
Which is why Ivy’s surprise return visit is amazing—until Berry realizes her mom didn’t come for her. Ivy’s back to pack the last of her things, and she’s brought her new “friend,” Mr. Cole to help. When Berry discovers that Mr. Cole is taking a job in England, she’s convinced that Ivy wants to move all the way across the ocean with him, to where an August Invasion can’t reach. Even at school, messy feelings are ruining everything. Berry’s best friend, Lia, rearranges her schedule to have classes with her crush, leaving Berry alone all day. Even Berry’s normally boring dad is making excuses to talk to her gym teacher.
All these crushes are crushing the life out of Berry. Weren’t things better before these extra people came along Why do things have to change
About the Author :
Tanita S. Davis is the award-winning author of seven novels for middle grade and young adult readers, including Serena Says, Peas and Carrots, Happy Families, and Mare's War, which was a Coretta Scott King Award Honor and earned her a nomination for the NAACP Image Award.
Review :
Praise for Figure It Out, Henri Weldon: "A girl with a learning disability navigates the demands of her new school and family dynamics. The story's brisk pace and accessible vocabulary help readers quickly get to know Henri and the interesting supporting cast. Without sacrificing the story's light tone, the author highlights the daily obstacles that Henri confronts due to her dyscalculia and her longing for a tighter family unit. Skillfully realized, this is an affirming and inspiring tale for readers who are only ever told what they can't accomplish. Uplifting and amusing, this book will leave readers with valuable lessons." - Kirkus Reviews
"Young readers will grapple with different interpretations and come to their own conclusions about how not to let the bad actions of others allow one to compromise one's core principles, and the sticky question of whether any part of the burden for making peace rests with those who are the victims of discrimination. The California setting, amid the reality of the state's wildfires, will resonate with readers who live with climate-related threats. A timely novel full of thought-provoking questions." - Kirkus Reviews
"In this gentle multigenerational narrative, Davis (Serena Says) explores race, tough conversations, and climate change as her endearing protagonist learns to face conflict and embrace community." - Publishers Weekly
"Serena is a smart, intuitive Black girl with relatable fears and insecurities; as the book progresses, she decides she's ready to step into the spotlight all on her own. Davis capably touches on matters of chronic illness, mental health, and friendship growing pains in this quiet but impactful slice-of-life novel." - Publishers Weekly
"Henri's struggles with her learning disability, her feeling overwhelmed with her increasingly busy life, and her contentious relationship with Katherine are matter-of-factly portrayed via a complex character who is not singularly defined by her personal challenges. In this hopeful, well-paced volume, Davis (Partly Cloudy) centers accommodation, community, and understanding." - Publishers Weekly
"The author of Serena Says (2020) and Partly Cloudy (2021), Davis does a particularly good job of portraying Henri's sister, Mom, and Dad as individuals, while keeping the narrative focused on the main character. Henri makes understandable mistakes, and her reactions involve meaningful reflection about issues such as letting others down. An involving middle-grade narrative with a very likable protagonist." - Booklist
"Davis (The Science of Friendship, 2024) always incorporates meaningful explorations of friendship in her novels, and here tween readers will relate to Berry and her friends as they find their footing in middle school and experience their first romantic feelings. A first purchase for middle-grade library collections." - Booklist
"Readers will connect with Berry and her friends as they navigate family -relationships and explore the onset of romance. -Davis offers a -realistic, sensitive portrayal of the emotional ups and downs of this age group, especially for children with divorced -parents. VERDICT A solid purchase, this -story will resonate with middle schoolers who have endured similar shifting family structures." - School Library Journal
"The story skillfully navigates the shifting dynamics of adolescence and family relationships, exploring Berry's deep-seated wish to reunite her divorced parents as well as the equally complex evolution of her friendship with Lia as their priorities diverge. Through it all, this is a sensitive look at a young Black girl's interior life. This novel provides a healthy and realistic overview of family and friendship in middle school, highlighting that while navigating change is difficult, staying true to oneself can provide a valuable map." - The Horn Book
"A Black middle schooler resolves to prove that life is better without the distraction of romance in this wistful novel by Davis (The Science of Friendship). As Berry navigates shifting relationships, Davis utilizes sympathetic prose to detail a hopeful yet bittersweet story about confronting change while remaining true to oneself. - Publishers Weekly
"This emotionally intelligent novel will resonate with readers who have experienced shifting relationship dynamics. Berry is a compelling protagonist, and Davis portrays the arc of her growth authentically. The author cleverly uses colors to evoke artistic Berry's different moods and her perceptions of how she and others are feeling. An introspective, insightful look at the uncomfortable changes of early adolescence." - Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Partly Cloudy: "Davis captures the often glossed over tenderness of preadolescence, the space between blossoming independence and a lingering desire for the comfort and support of caregivers. As feel-good realistic fiction, this title reminds young readers that families and friendships alike require honesty, compromise, and understanding--especially when the forecast is partly cloudy." - Booklist
"Being the new kid in seventh grade isn't easy, and [neither is] being Black in a sea of white and brown faces. Davis suggests alternate paths for her protagonist--and by extension, readers--through Madalyn's challenge: assess whether the friendship is worth pursuing and, if so, insist on the difficult and honest conversations necessary to lay its foundation; or accept the permanence of disaffection, while acting with dignity and respect. Madalyn and Natalie's . . . mutual courage in reaching for reconciliation offers readers much to ponder." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Davis (Partly Cloudy) shines with this story of a well-meaning adolescent whose learning disability seems to add an extra layer of complication to an already turbulent stage of life. Although Henri's apprehension toward math seems rooted in her disability, much of that is reinforced by her own family, especially her mother, who emphasizes that Black girls have to work harder to be taken seriously in the world. Davis successfully drives home the importance of finding one's own path and accepting the journeys of others." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"This is a beautiful depiction of what it means to be human as a middle school student and how one can learn from one's own flaws about empathy, while also receiving validation and support. VERDICT The perfect read for book-smart students seeking social connection and friendship stories." - School Library Journal (starred review)
Praise for The Science of Friendship: "Readers will relate to Rylee's internal dialogue and learn from the gentle modeling of emotional-regulation skills such as self-compassion. Student-written newspaper article copy appears throughout, often citing real published studies, giving the research an unprecedented degree of accessibility and relevance. A killer combo of strong storytelling and compelling science results in a gold mine of social-emotional growth." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Praise for Serena Says: "Middle school energy forms a bustling backdrop for this clever story of navigating changing relationships and developing a sense of personal identity. At the center is spirited, smart Serena, someone readers will appreciate and cheer. A delightful multicultural narrative that spotlights friendship and self-awareness." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
