Not Really Buddies

Buddy and Bea

by Jan Carr, Kris Mukai (illustrator)

A laugh-out-loud new illustrated chapter book series celebrating the roller coaster highs and lows of life in a second grade classroom.

Buddy has a good feeling about second grade. He knows where to go, his best friend is in his class, and he’s ready for a great year. And then Bea shows up—new, tardy, and showing off brand new stitches. Buddy was not expecting Bea.  

Bea's fast talking and upside-down thinking leave Buddy feeling buzzy—and with his hair full of mayonnaise. How will he and Bea ever figure out how to get along in the same classroom community?

Genres: Childrens, Chapter Books, Friendship, LGBT, School

80 pages, Paperback

Published July 30, 2024

Reviews

[Raven Black · Rating 1 out of 5]

The character of Buddy has a lot going on. First, that is his name, Buddy. I am assuming that is what he is called and not his birth certificate name, but that is what we are told his name is. Second, he might be autistic or young for his age. Unfortunately, some of the other characters are also seemingly too young for their second grade actual age, especially Bea. The mistakes, attitudes and issues are really kindergarten or first grade level. Now, granted it is only the first week of school between books one and two, and therefore, they are not really that much older than they were last year, but still, these kinds of issues feel as if they would not be as big of an issue. I can see kids ages five/six (to be read to) up to about nine enjoying.

[Landon Turnbull · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this was a great early chapter book, that could also be fun for students to read! Throughout this book the author takes the reader through the main character, Buddy's, first day of school and he is suprised to have a new student in his class. Buddy's first day of school is a crazy adventure where he goes through a lot and doesn't always get what he wants, but in the end everything turned out okay and he learned about his classroom family. One of the author's purposes for writing this story was that not everyone's family looks the same, which I thought was great and could be benefical for students that might feel discouraged or uncomfortable. I also really enjoyed the pictures throughout the book, and I felt like they could be used to help guide the reader's imagination. I think this book could be used for the first read aloud of the year, as it can help students who are feeling uncomfortable or think the enviroment around them is crazy. I also think it could be kept in the classroom library, and given to students throughout the year as a reminder about how everyone is different, but they are apart of a classroom family.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the first day of second grade, and fretful, fade-into-the-background Buddy has inexplicably caught the interest of brash and bossy new girl Bea, who draws the reluctant boy into one unlikely school-day mishap after another, thanks to her innocent but irrepressible zest for pushing the envelope to see what develops: before the first day of school is over, Buddy will be visiting the principal, getting stuck between two urinals, and dealing with a big gob of mayonnaise in his hair, among other misadventures. Bea's heart is definitely in the right place, for all her bluster, and she will loyally talk the pair's way out of each hapless mess just in time for the next, and have readers in stitches with the pair's lively repartee all the while. Bea and Buddy's classmates and teachers are fun to know, too--good people!--and all of Ms. Carr's characters are brought to life by the very appealing penstrokes of artist Kris Mukai. Buddy may not truly believe that he and Bea are buddies, but we know better!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buddy Finn-Lee has mixed feelings about the start of his second-grade year. While he's excited to move up a grade and even be acknowledged by the principal, he's disappointed not to have the teacher he hoped to have. Ms. Maple is new, and her new students know each other better than her. Still, Buddy has big plans for the year, which are interrupted by the arrival of Bea, a boisterous new classmate who decides that Buddy is her new best friend. Trying to be helpful, she smooths out his cowlick with her own spit and then some mayonnaise. She also ruins his self-portrait and confuses his first name with his last name, calling him Finley. The digital artwork and the humor are appropriate for the book's intended audience. Many of the misadventures described here will be familiar to teachers who work with those early grades. Readers are given a glimpse of Buddy's personality quirks and his homelife with two dads but not much about Bea's--at least yet--since this is the first title in a series, and there may be more detail yet to come.

[Kirsten Caldwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buddy is starting his first day of second grade and is seated next to a girl named Bea. Buddy has a hard time focusing and Bea is bossy and decides she wants to be best friends with Finley, though she cannot remember that his name is actually Buddy Fin Lee. This was a frustrating book for me because she put mayonnaise and spit in his hair, messed up his drawing, and called him by the wrong name after he corrected her multiple times which all seemed like bullying to me. The teacher said they needed to learn to get along but didn't actually talk to them about how to be polite and how she was crossing boundaries. The story was entertaining and children may find it fun, but it wasn't my favorite.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Readers meet Buddy as he begins second grade. He "knows" he will have a certain teacher so is disappointed and struggles to adjust when he has someone else. Hints are offered that Buddy may be neurodivergent. When a new student joins his class, he feels overwhelmed by her boisterous style. The two have several mishaps and adventures during the day. The actions felt like those of children younger than second grade. Readers will see the humor and may relate to some of the adventures. I plan to read the next one and see where the series goes.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so cute, so sweet, and really does well talking in the perspective of a second grade boy. It was so much fun, and I loved that it included representation of both LGBTQ characters and a disabled character without making it a big deal. Representation without fixating on the differences is so important, so I was very happy to see it in this sweet children's story.

Thank you to Peachtree, the American Bookseller's Association, and Penguin Random House for the free ARC

[Teresa Imholt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this story is hilarious and Buddy sounds just like a 2nd grader. I can identify with his frustration with being called the wrong name as my legal name is Teresa but I was Tess NOT Terry!
Bea is immature for a second grader but, come on, we have all met Bea characters even as grownups. They don't pay attention to what you say and tell you who you are! Somehow Bea is endearing as she really wants to be friends with Buddy. I highly recommend this book.

[Thomas Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are such a fun combination of hilarious and sweet. Though Buddy and Bea are completely different personalities, we love them both. Even while we're laughing, we're rooting for their bumpy attempts to get along. The 2nd grade setting makes for zippy stories, and the cartoon-like illustrations are just as lively. I bought the first 2 books for the daughter of a friend of mine and she loved them. Highly recommend!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really, really funny! I look forward to reading more!

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining story about two very different kids on the first day of school that would make a fun read aloud for 2nd grade.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t enjoy it but my second grade class thought it was funny.

[Themountainbookie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a slog to read through. It lacked humor and a good plot. The plot is basically a girl keeps bugging Buddy. No problem skills are in this book at all. There’s a lack of inward thinking as well. It seems more like a book about kindergarten than 2nd grade. The whole bathroom scene made no sense either. I wouldn’t recommend.