Maggie Pih’s Reviews > Awkward Stuff. > Status Update

SETTING:The setting of Middle School and seventh grade is important because it has to do with the book's conflict, humor, and character growth. It forces the characters to confront physical and emotional changes that they feel. The seventh grade represents middle schoolers as "half in childhood" and "half in adulthood." No matter how awkward it gets Fonda, Drew, and Ruthie choose to navigate it together.

CONFLICT: The main conflict involves 7th grade best friends going through friendship drama while trying to share their first kisses on the same night. The conflict is driven by misunderstandings, unexpected events, and insecurities. "Fonda didn't want Henry to think she was inexperienced (she was.) Nor did she want him to think the was too experienced (she wasn't."

DYNAMIC: Drew agrees to a first-kiss pact with her 2 best friends, Fonda and Ruthie. Before thinking it through, the girls vow to kiss their crushes on the same night. "Instead, he scooted even closer. so close that Drew could smell the cherry-tartness of this breath. TOO CLOSE" (p.93) Even though Drew's feelings start to change, whether its girls stuff, crush stuff, or awkward stuff, the girls navigate it together!