Audrey L and Audrey W: Best Friends-Ish: Book 1, Hardcover

Over the course of a week in school, this bighearted, true-to-life chapter book will resonate with any young reader who's ever felt overlooked, second-best, or defined according to someone else. The first in a series, Best Friends-Ish provides a fresh take on the joys and traumas of elementary school drama.

More than anything, second-grader Audrey wants to be the best at something. It always feels like she's not-quite-enough--not smart enough, not fast enough, not funny enough.

When her beloved Miss Fincastle announces that a new girl, another AUDREY, is joining the class, Audrey suddenly becomes Audrey L., which makes her feel worse than ever.

But is the new Audrey all bad? Might the two Audreys have more in common than just their name? And if the girls become friends, how will Audrey ever figure out how to be her best self--if she can't even be the best Audrey?

Visually dynamic and narratively unique, this chapter book series is perfect for fans of the Ivy Bean, Deckawoo Drive, and The Penderwicks series.

TONS OF ILLUSTRATIONS: The book has many black and white illustrations throughout, providing newer readers with the perfect on-ramp from early readers into novels. There's something visual on every page.

EMPATHY READ FOR BEGINNING READERS: This book is about embracing people's differences, understanding their similarities, and making new friends.

COMING-OF-AGE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: This book encourages young readers to consider and celebrate the things that make them unique, while recognizing that sharing some of those traits with someone else isn't a bad thing.

A DILEMMA EVERY KID FACES: Having to share a name with a classmate is one of the biggest nightmares for a kid. That extra last name initial becomes a part of who you are for years to come. It's an annoying, funny subject that kids everywhere will relate to.

UNFORGETTABLE, FUNNY WRITING: Carter Higgins's writing is special. This storytelling is friendly, funny, and genuinely good, with an unforgettable voice that doesn't sound like any other chapter books.

Perfect for: Beginning readers, Parents, Educators, Librarians, Grandparents, Anyone looking for a new series, Readers who love books set at school

About author(s):Carter Higgins is the author of many books for kids, such as Everything You Need for a Treehouse, Bikes for Sale, and Circle Under Berry. This is her first chapter book. She writes about picture books and graphic design at her blog, Design of the Picture Book. She lives in Los Angeles, California, but you can always find her on Twitter and Instagram @carterhiggins.

Jennifer K. Mann lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest where she tends chickens, dogs, cats, and her kids and husband, when they aren't tending her. Jennifer draws many of her ideas from her own life experiences, or those of her children--and yes, some of her characters are quite autobiographical.