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Girl Stuff #3
awkward stuff.
In the third installment of bestselling author Lisi Harrison’s middle grade series, Girl Stuff, seventh grade besties decide to have their first kisses on the same night.
It's that time of the year—Poplar Middle School’s annual two-week health and sex-education unit! And, well . . . it’s awkward. Fonda thought she was on the same page as her classmates, but after hearing their anonymous questions about kissing it appears Fonda is not only behind on getting her period—she’s behind in everything! Drew, on the other hand, wants her first kiss to be with her boyfriend. Just when the time seems right, something VERY unexpected happens . . . Ruthie’s just had a misunderstanding of epic proportions with a boy friend (not boyfriend). Will boy stuff always be this complicated? Fonda thought it would be perfect if they had their first kisses on the same night. But maybe moments like that can't be planned? Through the fun stuff, the girl stuff, and all the awkward stuff, these three friends will be by each other's sides.
It's that time of the year—Poplar Middle School’s annual two-week health and sex-education unit! And, well . . . it’s awkward. Fonda thought she was on the same page as her classmates, but after hearing their anonymous questions about kissing it appears Fonda is not only behind on getting her period—she’s behind in everything! Drew, on the other hand, wants her first kiss to be with her boyfriend. Just when the time seems right, something VERY unexpected happens . . . Ruthie’s just had a misunderstanding of epic proportions with a boy friend (not boyfriend). Will boy stuff always be this complicated? Fonda thought it would be perfect if they had their first kisses on the same night. But maybe moments like that can't be planned? Through the fun stuff, the girl stuff, and all the awkward stuff, these three friends will be by each other's sides.
272 pages, Paperback
First published July 26, 2022
14 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Lisi Harrison
98 books2,848 followersLisi Harrison is the author of the #1 New York Times best-selling series "The Clique", "Alphas", "Monster High," Pretenders," and her first adult novel: "The Dirty Book Club" out 10.10.17. Lisi was born in Toronto, Canada, and lived in NYC for 15 years while she worked at MTV. She now lives in Laguna Beach, CA and is a member or her own Dirty Book Club.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 6, 2023
Best book of the series by far! Great way to end a great series! 🫶🫶
July 27, 2023
This was the BEST book ever!!! I loved the whole Girl Stuff series and, wish that this book wasn't the end of the series!! The characters are very relatable and there is a lot of conflict. If you like books that are realistic and full of drama I highly recommend this book!
February 23, 2023
Pure good sweet!!!
November 8, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
After Girl Stuff and Crush Stuff, the "nesties" (next door neighbor besties) are back. Fonda is excited because her mother is finally going to leave the girls at home without a babysitter, putting her almost 17-year-old sister in charge. She, of course, decides to have a party. She is vaguely interested in Henry as the object of her first kiss, since she feels behind developmentally, not having gotten her period. Ruthie is pleased to at least have a boyfriend, Owen, who is in the Talented and Gifted Program with her. The two get along really well as friends. Drew has her sites set on Will, and the three girls determine that they will all have their first kisses at the beach party. (They live in Poplar Creek, California.) Owen and Ruthie get paired to take care of an animatronic baby for health class, Fonda doubts her feelings for Henry, especially when she finds out that Ava also likes him, and Drew is confused by the signals that Will is sending. Will the plans the girls are working on bring the romantic results they expect?
Strengths: While most middle grade novels love to revel in all manner of Serious Problems, most of my students are more concerned with finding a place to sit in the cafeteria, doing well in school, and, yes, finding a love interest. The "nesties" are certainly buying into the idea of transactionalized romance, and go all in to find a boyfriend and then finagle him into kissing. There are just enough details about the kissing bit that younger readers will be enthralled, as well as worries about Will's "bumpy tongue". My daughter was an enormous fan of all of the drama in Harrison's Clique series, and I was very glad that sixth graders rediscovered those books and were checking them out like mad this year! Those books are older than tmy students are but must hold up well. The Girl Stuff books are nice and short, with tons of drama and details about things like getting periods, talking to boys, and hanging out at the mall. Wait. There are still malls?
Weaknesses: Are there still schools that have health classes that teach information about puberty? I hated those classes when I was in school, so wasn't at all sad when our district cut them in the early 2000s, but understand that there is a need for that information among young students. We have a health class now, but it's more about nutrition and exercise. Found it especially hard to think anyone teaches a parenting component to sex ed, but there must be some places that do. And Fonda and her sisters have never been left at home alone? I was allowed to stay home sick by myself when I was ten!
What I really think: This was sooooo super cringey, and as an adult I just wanted to tell the girls to get a life; boys are not that interesting or important. Of course, when I was in middle school and bedeviling a poor, innocent trumpet player named Jon with similar machinations, I would have totally loved this. Will purchase, along with the second book, which I need to read.
After Girl Stuff and Crush Stuff, the "nesties" (next door neighbor besties) are back. Fonda is excited because her mother is finally going to leave the girls at home without a babysitter, putting her almost 17-year-old sister in charge. She, of course, decides to have a party. She is vaguely interested in Henry as the object of her first kiss, since she feels behind developmentally, not having gotten her period. Ruthie is pleased to at least have a boyfriend, Owen, who is in the Talented and Gifted Program with her. The two get along really well as friends. Drew has her sites set on Will, and the three girls determine that they will all have their first kisses at the beach party. (They live in Poplar Creek, California.) Owen and Ruthie get paired to take care of an animatronic baby for health class, Fonda doubts her feelings for Henry, especially when she finds out that Ava also likes him, and Drew is confused by the signals that Will is sending. Will the plans the girls are working on bring the romantic results they expect?
Strengths: While most middle grade novels love to revel in all manner of Serious Problems, most of my students are more concerned with finding a place to sit in the cafeteria, doing well in school, and, yes, finding a love interest. The "nesties" are certainly buying into the idea of transactionalized romance, and go all in to find a boyfriend and then finagle him into kissing. There are just enough details about the kissing bit that younger readers will be enthralled, as well as worries about Will's "bumpy tongue". My daughter was an enormous fan of all of the drama in Harrison's Clique series, and I was very glad that sixth graders rediscovered those books and were checking them out like mad this year! Those books are older than tmy students are but must hold up well. The Girl Stuff books are nice and short, with tons of drama and details about things like getting periods, talking to boys, and hanging out at the mall. Wait. There are still malls?
Weaknesses: Are there still schools that have health classes that teach information about puberty? I hated those classes when I was in school, so wasn't at all sad when our district cut them in the early 2000s, but understand that there is a need for that information among young students. We have a health class now, but it's more about nutrition and exercise. Found it especially hard to think anyone teaches a parenting component to sex ed, but there must be some places that do. And Fonda and her sisters have never been left at home alone? I was allowed to stay home sick by myself when I was ten!
What I really think: This was sooooo super cringey, and as an adult I just wanted to tell the girls to get a life; boys are not that interesting or important. Of course, when I was in middle school and bedeviling a poor, innocent trumpet player named Jon with similar machinations, I would have totally loved this. Will purchase, along with the second book, which I need to read.
August 9, 2022
I think this is the last book in the trilogy, but I think this is a nice conclusion if it is. I loved the books in this series and the character In this novel especially felt so realistic. I definitely recommend this book and series to everyone who loves middle grade books.
January 14, 2026
LOVED THIS BOOK! Seriously, at the end of the first book, all Fonda was thinking about was her period, but at the end of the third book, she is lowkey like, “Blood?! I’m too young to die!!!” 😂 seriously, some people are just meant to be authors!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2022
It was a GOOD book.One of my favorite books by Lisi Harrison!
September 11, 2023
When I read it last, I loved it… but looking back now, it’s really just three over dramatic, boy crazy pre teens conspiring to make out with every male they see.
July 4, 2024
It SLAYZZ
September 16, 2025
Not good I was not done but I have no interest in finishing they all chicken out and nothing happens so sad the book was good up in tell that
January 3, 2024
great series
I read the whole series in two days it was so good and it was a perfect ending all of the characters had happy ending
I read the whole series in two days it was so good and it was a perfect ending all of the characters had happy ending
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews