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Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai
When Jenna Sakai 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.
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.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published August 3, 2021
38 people are currently reading
1991 people want to read
About the author
Debbi Michiko Florence
40 books236 followersDebbi Michiko Florence is the author of upper middle grade novels Sweet and Sour, Keep It Together, Keiko Carter, Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai, and This Is How I Roll. She has a debut middle grade series called Last Chance Academy. Book 1, A Study in Secrets, is coming on March 11, 2025! She is also the author of three chapter books series including Jasmine Toguchi with four new books, Follow Jasmine as she travels to Japan on vacation! And Debbi co-authored a picture book biography, Niki Nakayama: A Chef’s Tale in 13 Bites.
Her books have received starred reviews, JLG Selections, and inclusion on lists such as Amazon Best Books and the Chicago Public Library Best of the Best.
Her books have received starred reviews, JLG Selections, and inclusion on lists such as Amazon Best Books and the Chicago Public Library Best of the Best.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
September 5, 2024
Turned out I liked observing Keiko from the side, seeing her from a different angle, from another person's perspective; seeing what her close friends and family think about her. Also at some point Jenna started to remind me of Skye Penderwick. Maybe because I was thinking of re-visiting the third story from the series I wanted to get back to the whole summer but got distracted by new books. That may well be, and Jenna does really have some character traits in common with Skye in this second book. Also I started to see her own personality when she discovered Leigh's Stage Diner, which she felt connection to in her own personal way (I liked it to be featured in the book because it added to the story the summery cozy feel and helped me to get connected to Jenna better).
I previously mentioned that I dearly loved Keiko's personality and have yet to emotionally connect with her friend Jenna, the main character in this follow-up.
It was as good as the first book, but the story about Keiko I loved a tiny bit better :)
This is what Jenna's drawings of happy faces might look like 🙂:
Art by
1. Deris Firmansyah
2. Ajbia Israt Tuya
January 7, 2022
My gosh, this was adorable. I read this in tandem with a horror book, so this felt like the soothing balm that I needed.
Just Be Cool, Jenna Sekai follows Japanese-American girl Jenna -- who doesn't really believe in relationships and love so much after being dumped by her boyfriend and her parents' messy divorce. As a consequence, she keeps everyone at arm's length, including her best friend Keiko. When Jenna finds comfort in a friendly Broadway-inspired diner, her booth is one day taken by Rin, one of her mysterious and guarded classmates, with whom she starts to build a tentative friendship.
I thought this was a lovely story that deals with parental separation, and how Jenna has to navigate the conflicting emotions that she feels about her parents, whose fights affect her life more than they realise. Moreover, the story delves into the complexities of relationships so well - how letting people in can make us feel vulnerable but can be fulfilling in its own way. I really related to Jenna and her anxieties about letting people in.
The story also explores Jenna's ambitions to be a journalist, going out of her comfort zone, and learning things about herself. I thought Jenna's journey across the story was satisfying - in the way that she learns about herself, explores her own feelings, and realises that she actually doesn't know as much as she thought, and that thinking you are open-minded isn't the same as being open-minded.
A lovely middle-grade story. I haven't picked up the companion book Keep It Together, Keiko Carter, so I'll be looking to pick that up soon.
Just Be Cool, Jenna Sekai follows Japanese-American girl Jenna -- who doesn't really believe in relationships and love so much after being dumped by her boyfriend and her parents' messy divorce. As a consequence, she keeps everyone at arm's length, including her best friend Keiko. When Jenna finds comfort in a friendly Broadway-inspired diner, her booth is one day taken by Rin, one of her mysterious and guarded classmates, with whom she starts to build a tentative friendship.
I thought this was a lovely story that deals with parental separation, and how Jenna has to navigate the conflicting emotions that she feels about her parents, whose fights affect her life more than they realise. Moreover, the story delves into the complexities of relationships so well - how letting people in can make us feel vulnerable but can be fulfilling in its own way. I really related to Jenna and her anxieties about letting people in.
The story also explores Jenna's ambitions to be a journalist, going out of her comfort zone, and learning things about herself. I thought Jenna's journey across the story was satisfying - in the way that she learns about herself, explores her own feelings, and realises that she actually doesn't know as much as she thought, and that thinking you are open-minded isn't the same as being open-minded.
A lovely middle-grade story. I haven't picked up the companion book Keep It Together, Keiko Carter, so I'll be looking to pick that up soon.
August 13, 2021
Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai is a compulsively-readable middle grade release, perfect for fans of upper middle grade stories. This realistic contemporary novel handles tough themes like the process and reality of parental divorce, a tween experiencing the fall-out of a breakup, kids managing busy school schedules, and keeping bonds of friendship alive. It also highlights the value of vulnerability and how powerful it can be to open one’s heart to the affections of others. I loved this one, and can’t wait to read whatever Debbi Michiko Florence writes next.
Read my full review on my blog.
Many thanks to the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Read my full review on my blog.
Many thanks to the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 20, 2021
Jenna Sakai has just experienced her first ever break up, and with it came not only heartbreak, but the unsettling notion that what she learned from her parents’ divorce was correct: Relationships can be both risky and a major disappointment. Despite having to see her Ex Elliot everyday at newspaper club, Jenna is going full heartless this semester, meaning no boys, just books.
But Jenna finds that trying to keep her cool will not be easy. This year, best winning article of the newspaper club gets you a scholarship to put away for college, and her competition just happens to be the boy who broke her heart. Her best friend, Keiko, never is around because she’s always busy with her boyfriend. Jenna tries to find solitude in a new diner she comes across, but a boy from her school, Rin Watanabe keeps stealing her booth every time. Rin is every bit as annoying and stubborn as Jenna, and the more she gets to know him, the more intriguing he becomes. Eventually Jenna starts to realize that being alone can get kind of, well, lonely. Maybe letting people in, might just be the risk worth taking.
This is a sequel to Debbie’s first book, Keep it Together, Keiko Carter and it had every bit of humor and friendship as the first book did. These girls are just trying to make their mark in middle school by maintain friendships and experiencing first love and heartaches. It makes me think of when I was in middle school trying so hard to make friends. This book is good for anyone who is going through first love drama, but also for anyone who sets a goal and goes for it, no matter what, just like Jenna did for her hard hitting expose.
Reviewed by Skye Kordistos, Youth and School Services Librarian, Vernon Area Public Library District
But Jenna finds that trying to keep her cool will not be easy. This year, best winning article of the newspaper club gets you a scholarship to put away for college, and her competition just happens to be the boy who broke her heart. Her best friend, Keiko, never is around because she’s always busy with her boyfriend. Jenna tries to find solitude in a new diner she comes across, but a boy from her school, Rin Watanabe keeps stealing her booth every time. Rin is every bit as annoying and stubborn as Jenna, and the more she gets to know him, the more intriguing he becomes. Eventually Jenna starts to realize that being alone can get kind of, well, lonely. Maybe letting people in, might just be the risk worth taking.
This is a sequel to Debbie’s first book, Keep it Together, Keiko Carter and it had every bit of humor and friendship as the first book did. These girls are just trying to make their mark in middle school by maintain friendships and experiencing first love and heartaches. It makes me think of when I was in middle school trying so hard to make friends. This book is good for anyone who is going through first love drama, but also for anyone who sets a goal and goes for it, no matter what, just like Jenna did for her hard hitting expose.
Reviewed by Skye Kordistos, Youth and School Services Librarian, Vernon Area Public Library District
December 6, 2023
Romance light for tweens and young teens who like chaste stories . Jenna and her first boyfriend Elliot have broken up. Her parents are divorced. Not wanting to have her heart broken again, Jenna focuses on herself and her own goals which include winning a newspaper essay contest. To stay focused she starts hanging out at a diner after school to study or work on her news article. Rin, a laid back classmate also frequents the diner. Could there be a connection between them? Or will she and Elliot get back together again?
Even though Jenna (IMO) isn't the most likable character, tweens and young teens who have had their hearts hurt will identify with her and want to give this a try. Or share this with fans of light romances like Where the Heart Is or The Not So Boring Letters of Private Nobody.
Even though Jenna (IMO) isn't the most likable character, tweens and young teens who have had their hearts hurt will identify with her and want to give this a try. Or share this with fans of light romances like Where the Heart Is or The Not So Boring Letters of Private Nobody.
Want to read
September 26, 2020Hello, just a teeny bit in love with this book.
April 19, 2022
Jenna ist dreizehn und hat noch stark mit der Scheidung ihrer Eltern und der Trennung von ihrem ersten Freund, Elliot, zu kämpfen. Deshalb hat sie alle Gefühle tief in sich verschlossen und konzentriert sich lieber aufs Lernen für die Schule, um einmal eine erfolgreiche Journalistin zu werden. Als sie sich einen ruhigen Platz zum lernen sucht, um nicht allein zuhause zu sein, während ihre Mutter arbeitet, findet sie ein kleines Diner – und trifft dort auch auf den süßen Rin, der Jenna und ihre Gefühle schon bald aus der Reserve locken wird.
Ich mochte schon den ersten Band der Reihe sehr gerne, finde aber, dass Jennas Band deutlich erwachsener wirkt als der erste über ihre Freundin Keiko Carter. Jennas Probleme sind tiefgründiger und sie ist ernster. Trotzdem strahlt die Geschichte eine angenehme Leichtigkeit aus.
Dass Jenna immer wieder mit ihrem Ex-Freund Elliot aneinander gerät, fand ich gut beschrieben und auch, wie sich ihre Gefühle für Rin entwickeln. Nach und nach wird aufgedeckt, dass Rin auch eigene Probleme hat und mir gefiel die journalistische Art, wie Jenna das entdeckt, echt gut.
Jenna ist ein toller Charakter. Sie steht zwischen den Stühlen, wenn es um ihre Eltern geht. Man merkt, wie sie das belastet und was ich auch toll fand, war, wie beschrieben wurde, wie unsere Eltern uns mit ihren eigenen Ansichten manchmal manipulieren, ohne es zu wollen.
Und obwohl sie es in ihrer Familie nicht leicht hat, ist sie ein sehr starkes Mädchen, das für sich selbst eintritt und sich nichts vormachen lässt. Manchmal ist sie etwas zu rational und manchmal auch voreingenommen, doch in den wichtigen Momenten gewinnt ihr Herz und sie weiß das richtige zu tun.
Etwas zu kurz kam mir ihre Freundschaft zu Keiko, obwohl die immer wieder eingestreut wurde, allerdings ging es doch wesentlich mehr um Rin.
Debbi Michiko-Florence hat einen wunderbar leichten Schreibstil und erzählt einfach ganz tolle Geschichten über das Erwachsenwerden und wie es ist, ein Mädchen mitten in der Pubertät zu sein. Sie zeigt auf, dass es nicht immer einfach ist, dass man aber immer einen Weg finden kann, mit dem man glücklich wird. Ich kann das Buch für die Zielgruppe auf jeden Fall empfehlen. Auch mir, die schon etwas älter als die Zielgruppe ist, hat es richtig viel Spaß gemacht.
Ich mochte schon den ersten Band der Reihe sehr gerne, finde aber, dass Jennas Band deutlich erwachsener wirkt als der erste über ihre Freundin Keiko Carter. Jennas Probleme sind tiefgründiger und sie ist ernster. Trotzdem strahlt die Geschichte eine angenehme Leichtigkeit aus.
Dass Jenna immer wieder mit ihrem Ex-Freund Elliot aneinander gerät, fand ich gut beschrieben und auch, wie sich ihre Gefühle für Rin entwickeln. Nach und nach wird aufgedeckt, dass Rin auch eigene Probleme hat und mir gefiel die journalistische Art, wie Jenna das entdeckt, echt gut.
Jenna ist ein toller Charakter. Sie steht zwischen den Stühlen, wenn es um ihre Eltern geht. Man merkt, wie sie das belastet und was ich auch toll fand, war, wie beschrieben wurde, wie unsere Eltern uns mit ihren eigenen Ansichten manchmal manipulieren, ohne es zu wollen.
Und obwohl sie es in ihrer Familie nicht leicht hat, ist sie ein sehr starkes Mädchen, das für sich selbst eintritt und sich nichts vormachen lässt. Manchmal ist sie etwas zu rational und manchmal auch voreingenommen, doch in den wichtigen Momenten gewinnt ihr Herz und sie weiß das richtige zu tun.
Etwas zu kurz kam mir ihre Freundschaft zu Keiko, obwohl die immer wieder eingestreut wurde, allerdings ging es doch wesentlich mehr um Rin.
Debbi Michiko-Florence hat einen wunderbar leichten Schreibstil und erzählt einfach ganz tolle Geschichten über das Erwachsenwerden und wie es ist, ein Mädchen mitten in der Pubertät zu sein. Sie zeigt auf, dass es nicht immer einfach ist, dass man aber immer einen Weg finden kann, mit dem man glücklich wird. Ich kann das Buch für die Zielgruppe auf jeden Fall empfehlen. Auch mir, die schon etwas älter als die Zielgruppe ist, hat es richtig viel Spaß gemacht.
March 2, 2022
How cute is this book?!? A companion novel to Keep it Together, Keiko Carter (but completely understandable to someone, like me, who never read Keiko Carter), it follows seventh grader Jenna as she navigates her parents' divorce and her own relationships. If you like milkshakes, blossoming crushes, and kids learning truths about themselves and the world, you will be obsessed with Jenna and her story.
🍨 Setting 🍨
The most important (and endearing) element of the setting is definitely Leigh's Stage Diner, which Jenna finds early on in the book while trying to escape from the stress after her parents divorce and she and her boyfriend break up. The entire diner is Broadway/musical themed, and I found myself desperately wishing throughout the whole book that it was real. The way Debbi Michiko Florence describes the stage posters on the walls, the names of the menu items (Jean Valjean's Stolen Garlic Bread, Regina George's Fetch Fries, Phantom of the Onion Burger), and the fact that the waitress sings a bit of a song every time she delivers a menu item makes reading about this diner a full, sensory experience. It's a real treat for theater nerds, and a great juxtaposition to the more serious stuff going on in Jenna's life outside of the diner.
🍨 Theme 🍨
Sorry to be that kind of English teacher, but I have to talk about the theme a little bit. The main theme, in my own words and own opinion, goes a little something like: You need to open yourself up to other people in order to be truly happy and successful, even if that means possibly getting hurt. It was a mature theme for middle grade, handled in a superb and age-appropriate way. Jenna's love life made such an amazing parallel to her parents' marital problems, and the moment(s) when Jenna finally realizes how closed-off she's been and how much she's tried to shelter her feelings are heartbreaking and cathartic to read.
🍨 Character 🍨
All the character and their interactions in the book felt so authentic to me. Jenna's character arc was especially beautifully crafted. I appreciated Debbi Michiko Florence's creation of a middle grade protagonist like Jenna, who was flawed, came on strong, and was not a typical "likable" female character at the beginning (her past wounds cause her to be quite rude to several other characters throughout). This makes her moment of realization and her growth all the more powerful. Despite her flaws, Jenna is driven, intelligent, and savvy, and although in some moments I thought, Jenna, why would you say that?? I felt for the kid and ultimately enjoyed being in her head.
This book features one of my current favorite middle grade romances. I do feel like middle grade literature shies away from romance, while, as a teacher, I see romance happen between twelve and thirteen-year-olds every year. Having an example of a healthy middle school relationship in books can be a huge benefit. Jenna's relationship with Rin, the boy she meets at the diner, is so darn cute at times. I mean, he designs a character based off of her and draws it for her birthday. Can someone please do that for me? He's a sensitive, reflective, artistic, musical kid and I love the way he treats Jenna.
🍨 Plot 🍨
The plot was driven by Jenna's deadline for a contest for which she has to write an investigative newspaper article. Because of this ticking clock, and probably also because of the short chapters, the plot moved quickly. It followed the beats I'd expect for middle grade, such as having a mega midpoint twist that left me sitting there with my eyes wide open! I finished the book in about a week, and probably would have finished faster had I not had to stop to teach seventh graders in real life (rude)!
🍨 Setting 🍨
The most important (and endearing) element of the setting is definitely Leigh's Stage Diner, which Jenna finds early on in the book while trying to escape from the stress after her parents divorce and she and her boyfriend break up. The entire diner is Broadway/musical themed, and I found myself desperately wishing throughout the whole book that it was real. The way Debbi Michiko Florence describes the stage posters on the walls, the names of the menu items (Jean Valjean's Stolen Garlic Bread, Regina George's Fetch Fries, Phantom of the Onion Burger), and the fact that the waitress sings a bit of a song every time she delivers a menu item makes reading about this diner a full, sensory experience. It's a real treat for theater nerds, and a great juxtaposition to the more serious stuff going on in Jenna's life outside of the diner.
🍨 Theme 🍨
Sorry to be that kind of English teacher, but I have to talk about the theme a little bit. The main theme, in my own words and own opinion, goes a little something like: You need to open yourself up to other people in order to be truly happy and successful, even if that means possibly getting hurt. It was a mature theme for middle grade, handled in a superb and age-appropriate way. Jenna's love life made such an amazing parallel to her parents' marital problems, and the moment(s) when Jenna finally realizes how closed-off she's been and how much she's tried to shelter her feelings are heartbreaking and cathartic to read.
🍨 Character 🍨
All the character and their interactions in the book felt so authentic to me. Jenna's character arc was especially beautifully crafted. I appreciated Debbi Michiko Florence's creation of a middle grade protagonist like Jenna, who was flawed, came on strong, and was not a typical "likable" female character at the beginning (her past wounds cause her to be quite rude to several other characters throughout). This makes her moment of realization and her growth all the more powerful. Despite her flaws, Jenna is driven, intelligent, and savvy, and although in some moments I thought, Jenna, why would you say that?? I felt for the kid and ultimately enjoyed being in her head.
This book features one of my current favorite middle grade romances. I do feel like middle grade literature shies away from romance, while, as a teacher, I see romance happen between twelve and thirteen-year-olds every year. Having an example of a healthy middle school relationship in books can be a huge benefit. Jenna's relationship with Rin, the boy she meets at the diner, is so darn cute at times. I mean, he designs a character based off of her and draws it for her birthday. Can someone please do that for me? He's a sensitive, reflective, artistic, musical kid and I love the way he treats Jenna.
🍨 Plot 🍨
The plot was driven by Jenna's deadline for a contest for which she has to write an investigative newspaper article. Because of this ticking clock, and probably also because of the short chapters, the plot moved quickly. It followed the beats I'd expect for middle grade, such as having a mega midpoint twist that left me sitting there with my eyes wide open! I finished the book in about a week, and probably would have finished faster had I not had to stop to teach seventh graders in real life (rude)!
March 22, 2022
Overall, cute story about a middle school Japanese-American girl navigating her parents' divorce and her changing relationships at school. However, I couldn't decide if I was annoyed at the writing itself or if I was annoyed at the main character for being a 13 year old girl. I mean, its been a minute since I've been a pre-teen, so what do I know. I think if she were 16 instead, all of the things in the book would make more sense.
March 15, 2022
*review in german
Herzweh ist nichts für Versager- Es bedeutet nur, dass ich ein Herz habe, das gebrochen werden kann.💜
Ich bin sooo verliebt in dieses Buch, mir hat schon der erste Teil super gefallen, der von Jennas bester Freundin "Keiko" handelt. Das Buch war unglaublich schön zu lesen und unfassbar herzerwärmend! Ich habe jetzt auch das Bedürfnis ein Diner in der Nähe zu haben mit einer Kellnerin die selbst kreierte Shakes singend serviert!🥤Die Autorin Debbi Michiko Florence hat außerdem einen wunderbaren Schreibstil und mit ihren Büchern absolut realistische Charaktere erschaffen, mit denen ich mich sehr gut identifizieren konnte.
Ganz große Leseempfehlung. Ich denke so mit 13-17 Jahre könnte das für viele etwas sein💗
Herzweh ist nichts für Versager- Es bedeutet nur, dass ich ein Herz habe, das gebrochen werden kann.💜
Ich bin sooo verliebt in dieses Buch, mir hat schon der erste Teil super gefallen, der von Jennas bester Freundin "Keiko" handelt. Das Buch war unglaublich schön zu lesen und unfassbar herzerwärmend! Ich habe jetzt auch das Bedürfnis ein Diner in der Nähe zu haben mit einer Kellnerin die selbst kreierte Shakes singend serviert!🥤Die Autorin Debbi Michiko Florence hat außerdem einen wunderbaren Schreibstil und mit ihren Büchern absolut realistische Charaktere erschaffen, mit denen ich mich sehr gut identifizieren konnte.
Ganz große Leseempfehlung. Ich denke so mit 13-17 Jahre könnte das für viele etwas sein💗
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February 24, 2023Jenna gets dumped by her first boyfriend. It confirms what she learned from her parents messy divorced. Relationships are risky and are always disappointing. So even though she has to see Elliot every day in newspaper club she decides to be totally heartless this semester. Elliot turns out to be Jenna's competition for the scholar ship. Jenna has a lot going on a needs some where to clam down, but her best friend is always busy and her mom always has work. She finds a cute little cafe that is Broadway themed where she can drown her sorrows in milkshakes everyday after school. Except a cute but incredibly annoying keeps stealing her booth. She gets to know him well and starts to think that being a loner is pretty lonely. And letting people in might be a risk worth taking. This book was really good and has a good twist. I do recommend it.
December 15, 2024
Yhtä hyvä kuin sarjan ensimmäinen osa, ovat siis itsenäisiä osia eli jos olet aikeissa lukea tämän ensin, niin sen voi hyvin tehdä. Tarinankerronta oli edelleen hyvää, mukaansa tempaavaa ja rentoa. Tässä osassa käsitellään sellaisia aiheita kun kilpaileminen, täydellisyyteen ja parhaimpana olemisen pakkoon sekä romantiikkaan.
August 27, 2021
My biggest takeaway from this book was the food. I want the Fetch Fries and the Waitress milkshake! It sounded so good! By the end of this book, I was craving cheese fries and a milkshake even though I haven't really had cheese fries before, but the book made it sound SO good! This is why it is not a good idea to read books about food. The power of persuasion is too strong.
While the diner has star power, the point of this story was not about the diner it was about Jenna and Rin. Jenna annoyed me in some parts. I think part of it was how I read her lines. By the end of the book, I was more sympathetic toward her. There was a reveal that I was pretty sure was going to happen. The end was pretty cute.
Verdict: What made this book shine was the food and the diner scenes. While this is designed for kids and maybe teenagers, I think this book could have used recipes. I want to make the strawberry milkshake from book and/or the cheese fries! I wished there was a book about the husband and wife who created the diner. Maybe an origin story? What about cozy mystery series?
While the diner has star power, the point of this story was not about the diner it was about Jenna and Rin. Jenna annoyed me in some parts. I think part of it was how I read her lines. By the end of the book, I was more sympathetic toward her. There was a reveal that I was pretty sure was going to happen. The end was pretty cute.
Verdict: What made this book shine was the food and the diner scenes. While this is designed for kids and maybe teenagers, I think this book could have used recipes. I want to make the strawberry milkshake from book and/or the cheese fries! I wished there was a book about the husband and wife who created the diner. Maybe an origin story? What about cozy mystery series?
April 16, 2024
I really liked this book!! I’d say that I liked the first one in the series better, only because of the main character. I like Keiko more than Jenna, but I like the setting better in this book better than in the other one. The broadway diner was my absolute favorite! Overall, I would definitely recommend this series, it is so fun and cute!!
December 12, 2021
"Perceptions could be twisted, but facts were concrete. So telling the truth was important."
Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai is set in the same world as Keep It Together, Keiko Carter. This time we are placed with Keiko's best friend, Jenna, and we get to follow along with her after Elliot dumps her over Winter Break. Jenna is trying to figure out who she is without Elliot while also navigating her parent's divorce. She's still part of the newspaper club where she has to see Elliot and now Keiko is spending more and more time with her boyfriend Conner. One day Jenna has had enough and she stumbles across a Broadway themed diner. It's in this diner that Jenna can enjoy milkshakes every day after school while working on her homework. Taking refuge in the Hamilton booth, Jenna has found a new place to hide out. Until one day she finds one of her classmates sitting in her booth. Can Jenna and Rin find a way to share the booth? Will Jenna be able to write the best newspaper piece to win a college scholarship?
I enjoyed this book more than I did Keiko's. I think perhaps that's because I was the same age as Jenna when my own parents divorced. I could relate to Jenna's emotions navigating the divorce and breakup of your family. I completely understood Jenna's desire to be away from her home while learning how to navigate her new normal. I understood her frustration at having her parents constantly fighting, even if that fighting was happening over the phone. Finding refuge in a new place is completely understandable and I was thrilled for Jenna to find her own slice of solace, even if that space was interrupted by one of her classmates. Just like Keiko's book, Jenna's story does a fantastic job of relating to middle schoolers and presenting them just as they are. Again, the cover of this book is absolutely delightful and I love the purple theme on the cover. I don't know if there's room for another story to be written, but I would gladly visit Keiko and Jenna again as they continue to navigate middle school.
TW: divorce
Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai is set in the same world as Keep It Together, Keiko Carter. This time we are placed with Keiko's best friend, Jenna, and we get to follow along with her after Elliot dumps her over Winter Break. Jenna is trying to figure out who she is without Elliot while also navigating her parent's divorce. She's still part of the newspaper club where she has to see Elliot and now Keiko is spending more and more time with her boyfriend Conner. One day Jenna has had enough and she stumbles across a Broadway themed diner. It's in this diner that Jenna can enjoy milkshakes every day after school while working on her homework. Taking refuge in the Hamilton booth, Jenna has found a new place to hide out. Until one day she finds one of her classmates sitting in her booth. Can Jenna and Rin find a way to share the booth? Will Jenna be able to write the best newspaper piece to win a college scholarship?
I enjoyed this book more than I did Keiko's. I think perhaps that's because I was the same age as Jenna when my own parents divorced. I could relate to Jenna's emotions navigating the divorce and breakup of your family. I completely understood Jenna's desire to be away from her home while learning how to navigate her new normal. I understood her frustration at having her parents constantly fighting, even if that fighting was happening over the phone. Finding refuge in a new place is completely understandable and I was thrilled for Jenna to find her own slice of solace, even if that space was interrupted by one of her classmates. Just like Keiko's book, Jenna's story does a fantastic job of relating to middle schoolers and presenting them just as they are. Again, the cover of this book is absolutely delightful and I love the purple theme on the cover. I don't know if there's room for another story to be written, but I would gladly visit Keiko and Jenna again as they continue to navigate middle school.
TW: divorce
November 17, 2021
The amount of joy I received from reading this book is exponential. I am a simpleton and very easy to please when it comes to cute middle-grade books. This book was such a palate cleanser.
I fell in love with Jenna and Rin, Leigh, the diner, Keiko, Isabella, and Jenna's parents. This book also reminds me to buy one of asianamericangirlclub's black sweatshirts and hats! I've always wanted to wear one and it's about time I purchased one. I loved reading the allusions to some of the most well known musicals and how passionate Jenna is about the arts and journalism. This book put a huge smile on my face and makes me excited to read more from Debbi Michiko Florence.
I fell in love with Jenna and Rin, Leigh, the diner, Keiko, Isabella, and Jenna's parents. This book also reminds me to buy one of asianamericangirlclub's black sweatshirts and hats! I've always wanted to wear one and it's about time I purchased one. I loved reading the allusions to some of the most well known musicals and how passionate Jenna is about the arts and journalism. This book put a huge smile on my face and makes me excited to read more from Debbi Michiko Florence.
February 21, 2022
This book, a sequel to "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter," was just as realistic and heartwarming as the first book. Not as dramatic but just as emotional, Jenna is pretty much the opposite of Keiko. She has hardened her heart so she won't be hurt by her parent's divorce, her recent breakup with her first boyfriend, and a rocky new friendship with a boy from school. Even her best friend can't break through the wall she has up. Seeing Jenna discover the need to talk and open up about her feelings as well as stop focusing on being the best at everything was a nice progression through the story. Realistic, good narrator voice and learned lessons made this a great middle grade novel.
December 3, 2025
1⭐️
So disappointing. I loved the first book to this series, Keep it Together, Keiko Carter, but definitely not this one. The last book was so sweet and wholesome, but I felt like this one was a waste of time😭
So disappointing. I loved the first book to this series, Keep it Together, Keiko Carter, but definitely not this one. The last book was so sweet and wholesome, but I felt like this one was a waste of time😭
February 6, 2024
Liian vanha jo näihin. Teiniangstia ja säätöä kuitenkin sopivassa suhteessa, menee vinkkauspakkiin.
June 13, 2025
Annoying main character I’m sorry 😔🥲
November 16, 2021
Ever think you were open-minded but you weren’t? That’s Jenna, and it’s ruining her life. Love the character journey and a satisfying ending.
August 20, 2025
I didn't like this as much; it felt too long, with more page time spent on Jenna being a jerk than actual fluffiness, but I still liked it, probably because I'm still hung up on the first book. 🙃
September 7, 2022
Jenna has been hurt by some painful relationships lately. Her parents' divorce has hit her harder than anyone realized (especially herself), and then she and Elliot didn't work out. On top of all that the newspaper club advisor gave her a lousy personal essay assignment instead of the investigative one she's so good at. It is hard to hang out with Keiko for reasons Jenna can't put her finger on. So she retreats to a tiny diner she finds where she can be alone. But her second time to the diner she finds this guy Rin in the booth she's claimed as her own spot. He claims he was using it long before her. They compromise by agreeing to share the booth without talking to each other. He draws, she works on her essay for a scholarship competition. She has a great idea to look into the anonymous donor who decided to spend so much money remodeling the school cafeteria which seems like a waste of money that could've gone to so many other school needs. But is the donation everything Jenna thinks it is? And when will Jenna stop pushing others away and acknowledge her own emotions that she's been bottling up?
This isn't as fun as the book on Keiko, but I think there are many Jennas out there who keep others at arm's length without even realizing it and have trouble acknowledging, let alone dealing with, their own emotions. This could be very eye-opening and helpful to them. Jenna is not a lot of fun to be around at the beginning, but she makes a lot of progress by the end. I love how good a friend Keiko is in the background through it all. She's a lovely model of what healthy middle school friendship looks like. In the end, this is a good story much needed to model healthier ways of living. Hand this to contemporary fiction fans who like a teensy touch of romance.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond some hand-holding. No violence. Some unhealthy mental practices of bottling up emotions and not communicating with loved ones are addressed well.
This isn't as fun as the book on Keiko, but I think there are many Jennas out there who keep others at arm's length without even realizing it and have trouble acknowledging, let alone dealing with, their own emotions. This could be very eye-opening and helpful to them. Jenna is not a lot of fun to be around at the beginning, but she makes a lot of progress by the end. I love how good a friend Keiko is in the background through it all. She's a lovely model of what healthy middle school friendship looks like. In the end, this is a good story much needed to model healthier ways of living. Hand this to contemporary fiction fans who like a teensy touch of romance.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond some hand-holding. No violence. Some unhealthy mental practices of bottling up emotions and not communicating with loved ones are addressed well.
June 25, 2021
“Pushing people away was exhausting. And lonesome.”
🥤
Jenna Sakai is over relationships ever since breaking up with her first boyfriend, Elliott over winter break. All it did was remind her of her parents’ divorce and that relationships just don’t work. Jenna decides to throw herself into the newspaper club, despite the fact that she has to keep working with Know-It-All Elliott. In order to escape him, her BFF Keiko and her boyfriend Carter, who are just too happy in love together, Jenna finds herself in a local Broadway-themed diner everyday after school. Except she’s having to share her booth with Rin Watanabe, who gets under her skin like no other. But after weeks of cohabitation in the Hamilton booth, Jenna grows more curious about the guitar-playing, manga artist. When her investigative journalism article finds herself researching Rin’s family, Jenna will have to decide what’s more important: her new friendship or her dream of being a reporter.
🍟
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Florence is the queen of the MG romance! I’ve yet to read another middle grade book that centers around relationships like her two titles do. It was “kawaii” (cute in Japanese) and I adored the representation. My students who aren’t quite ready for YA romance will love this book releasing August 3!
So as much as I loved Keiko…I found it really hard to like Jenna in this book. She was fine in book 1, but soooo unlikeable, angry and rude to everyone until the end. It wasn’t enough to redeem her IMO. 2.5 ⭐️
🥤
Jenna Sakai is over relationships ever since breaking up with her first boyfriend, Elliott over winter break. All it did was remind her of her parents’ divorce and that relationships just don’t work. Jenna decides to throw herself into the newspaper club, despite the fact that she has to keep working with Know-It-All Elliott. In order to escape him, her BFF Keiko and her boyfriend Carter, who are just too happy in love together, Jenna finds herself in a local Broadway-themed diner everyday after school. Except she’s having to share her booth with Rin Watanabe, who gets under her skin like no other. But after weeks of cohabitation in the Hamilton booth, Jenna grows more curious about the guitar-playing, manga artist. When her investigative journalism article finds herself researching Rin’s family, Jenna will have to decide what’s more important: her new friendship or her dream of being a reporter.
🍟
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Florence is the queen of the MG romance! I’ve yet to read another middle grade book that centers around relationships like her two titles do. It was “kawaii” (cute in Japanese) and I adored the representation. My students who aren’t quite ready for YA romance will love this book releasing August 3!
So as much as I loved Keiko…I found it really hard to like Jenna in this book. She was fine in book 1, but soooo unlikeable, angry and rude to everyone until the end. It wasn’t enough to redeem her IMO. 2.5 ⭐️
Read
April 1, 2024Jenna has just been dumped by her boyfriend (now her ex-boyfriend), Elliot. It’s even worse that he is in the newspaper club, so she still has to see him every week. Then, there is a scholarship that Jenna is desperate to win because Elliot is her chief competition. She decided to write about the school cafeteria renovation. She can’t complain about this to Keiko, her best friend, since she is too busy with her new boyfriend. Then, she discovers a cute café and starts going there to hide from all her sorrow. Sadly, someone keeps stealing her booth - a boy named Rin. Then, she learns that Rin's mother (Traci Watanabe) made the donation for the school cafeteria - but before asking her husband. Her husband tried to get the money back, but it was too late. Since Rin's mother runs a foundation, the donation was kept anonymous (Jenna's teacher/judge finally gave in and told her). She was going to write about that for her entry essay, but once she and Rin got into an argument, she decided to write about an essay called "Heartbreak is for suckers." In the end, Keiko and Jenna become closer together, Jenna discovers that she likes Rin, and Rin and her makeup.
June 4, 2022
3.5 stars
Good read about a very motivated young girl. Jenna has wanted to be an investigative reporter since she was a little kid. When she gets the chance to work on her school newspaper, she quickly learns that she can’t be a loner (her preferred comfort zone), because being in the club means teamwork.
I thought it sad that a thirteen-year-old would find it so necessary to shield herself from companionship. Too bad that her seemingly clueless, self-centered parents didn’t pick up on how much their split affected Jenna. As an introvert myself, raised by introverts, I get how people can withdraw far away from each other, however.
Jennas’ doggedness when it came to getting info for her article bothered me. I’m glad Keiko remained friends with her; not sure I would have wanted to. Judge-mental people like Jenna have always made me uncomfortable, and still do.
Overall, I think readers would enjoy this sequel to “Keep It Together, Keiko Carter.”
Good read about a very motivated young girl. Jenna has wanted to be an investigative reporter since she was a little kid. When she gets the chance to work on her school newspaper, she quickly learns that she can’t be a loner (her preferred comfort zone), because being in the club means teamwork.
I thought it sad that a thirteen-year-old would find it so necessary to shield herself from companionship. Too bad that her seemingly clueless, self-centered parents didn’t pick up on how much their split affected Jenna. As an introvert myself, raised by introverts, I get how people can withdraw far away from each other, however.
Jennas’ doggedness when it came to getting info for her article bothered me. I’m glad Keiko remained friends with her; not sure I would have wanted to. Judge-mental people like Jenna have always made me uncomfortable, and still do.
Overall, I think readers would enjoy this sequel to “Keep It Together, Keiko Carter.”
June 8, 2022
When Jenna Sakai gets dumped by her first-ever boyfriend halfway through seventh grade, it confirms what she learned from her parents’ messy divorce: Relationships are risk and lead to disappointment. Even though she still has to see Elliot at newspaper club, Jenna decides to be totally heartless this semester.
Keeping cool isn’t as easy as it sounds. Her parents are fighting about money and her best friend is always busy. To make matters worse, Elliot is her competition for a scholarship. Luckily, Jenna has found a Broadway-themed diner where she can hide out and drown her sorrows with milkshakes. Except a cute-but-annoying boy keeps stealing her booth. the more Jenna gets to know him, the more she realizes that being a loner is lonely. And letting people in might just be a risk worth taking.
I loved this sweet story about first crushes, family drama and of course the Broadway connections. This middle grade novel is sure to be a hit.
Keeping cool isn’t as easy as it sounds. Her parents are fighting about money and her best friend is always busy. To make matters worse, Elliot is her competition for a scholarship. Luckily, Jenna has found a Broadway-themed diner where she can hide out and drown her sorrows with milkshakes. Except a cute-but-annoying boy keeps stealing her booth. the more Jenna gets to know him, the more she realizes that being a loner is lonely. And letting people in might just be a risk worth taking.
I loved this sweet story about first crushes, family drama and of course the Broadway connections. This middle grade novel is sure to be a hit.
September 17, 2021
I give this two stars because, on Goodreads, that means "it was ok." It feels like a low number of stars, though, because it was a cute enough story. It's what I would say is a perfectly fine, light read. The protagonist, Jenna is a little hot-headed and competitive, making assumptions when she shouldn't, but she's young - this is a kids' book after all.
Really cute things: the waitress and diner owner who references Broadway musicals a lot, the boy who draws Manga-inspired pictures of his crush (Jenna).
Less cute: Jenna's tendency to blow off her best friend; Jenna's ex-boyfriend, Elliot's ego; Jenna's inclination to jump to the worst (and most ridiculous) conclusion without checking in with people.
Over all, I enjoyed it. It's not extraordinary, though. I didn't close the book and say "wow." But I do think that, as a gateway to YA romance, it's very...cute.
Really cute things: the waitress and diner owner who references Broadway musicals a lot, the boy who draws Manga-inspired pictures of his crush (Jenna).
Less cute: Jenna's tendency to blow off her best friend; Jenna's ex-boyfriend, Elliot's ego; Jenna's inclination to jump to the worst (and most ridiculous) conclusion without checking in with people.
Over all, I enjoyed it. It's not extraordinary, though. I didn't close the book and say "wow." But I do think that, as a gateway to YA romance, it's very...cute.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2022
JUST BE COOL, JENNA SAKAI by Debbi Michiko Florence is a layered, thoughtful, and light exploration of how middle schoolers respond to dramas big (family divorce) and not-so-big (academic competition, friendship changes). This stand-alone follow-up to Keep It Together, Keiko Carter is readable, relatable, and filled with well-developed characters we both like and hope will grow.
Full review: https://mutterschwester.wordpress.com...
Full review: https://mutterschwester.wordpress.com...
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