CLICK HERE
(To Find Out How I Survived Seventh Grade)
by Denise Vega
Little, Brown and Company
ISBN: 0316985600
Ages 8-12
224 pages

As Erin and her best friend, Jilly, start seventh grade, they're separated into different tracks. It's a total disaster for Erin, who has been inseparable from Jilly since kindergarten. Although her new, huge middle school terrifies Erin, she stands up to the bully who mocks her size-ten feet.

Erin decides she can handle anything. But then she takes her self-reliance just a bit too far when she punches obnoxious Serena in the face for saying Erin is Jilly's puppet. Erin earns a ticket to the principal's office and detention. Worst of all, though, Erin's big brother, who has a crush on Serena's sister, is absolutely furious with Erin. If this isn't bad enough, everyone now calls Erin "Pinocchio" and is playing puppet-related practical jokes on her.

Jilly expects Erin to try out for a minor part in the school play since Jilly wants a lead. When Erin decides to follow her own interests, too, by joining the Intranet Club without Jilly, everyone's amazed --- including Erin. She starts new friendships, although one of her new pals, Mark Sacks, flusters Erin. Unexpectedly, Erin decides that she's definitely fine with not being on the same track as Jilly.

Mark appears to enjoy Erin's company, but is it just a ploy to have a chance to meet pretty Jilly? The thought burns Erin up, but the alternative --- that he might "like" Erin herself --- makes her nervous in a whole new way. And then there's Tyler, who seems quite interested in her. Suddenly Jilly notices Mark; meanwhile, Mark is asking Erin about Jilly.

QUESTION: As Erin tangles deep in the webs of love and friendship, can her life get any worse?

ANSWER: Oh, boy, can it EVER!

Erin is refreshingly smart and self-deprecating; the inventive plot has plenty of twists and lots of heart. Clever, original and upbeat, CLICK HERE is a treat from beginning to end.

   --- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon (terryms2001@yahoo.com)

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