Noelle:The Mean Girl by Ashley Woodfolk
Penguin Workshop/ Penguin Random House
Publication Date: March 9, 2021
ISBN: 978-0593096079
Noelle is losing control of her life. First, she has a crush on her friend Tobyn. Next, her younger brother Pierre keeps getting beat up. Then when her father loses his job, she decides to work more hours at her grandparent’s Chinese restaurant, an obligation which interferes with school and practicing her cello for the upcoming showcase. Can Noelle figure out how to handle all of these changes without letting her temper get the best of her and lashing out at those who love her most?
Noelle: The Mean Girl is the third book of a planned four-part series about the Flyy Girls. Each book stands on their own and is engaging, packing a lot of story in a short number of pages. Noelle faces a lot of the challenges teens would relate to: exploring her feelings around liking a girl for the first time, the pressures of getting into college, her father losing his job, and how to navigate stress and anxiety while also being a good friend and family member.
Fans of Noelle: The Mean Girl, should, of course, read the rest of the Flyy Girls series, but might also enjoy You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson and If it Makes You Happy by Claire Kahn, both of which are stories that deal with the challenges of being a teenager and figuring out your true self.
–Jayna Ramsey, Lakewood, CO
Other Nominated Titles
- The Canyon’s Edge by Dusti Bowling (September 9, 2021)
The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the Title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.
Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten. The previous years’ lists are available on The Hub.
