Positively Izzy

Written and Illustrated by Terri Libenson

On the day of the middle school talent show, two very different eighth graders have different approaches to events. With two main characters, the author alternates their voices and their chapters. Brianna is also known as the Brain and has little interest in the show, despite her mother’s drama background. Izzy has been working on her one-woman act for months and has trouble focusing on subjects other than drama. Will either of them learn to embrace the rest of the world and do what needs to be done?

The author manages to capture both the fun and the angst of middle school in the plot, characters, and delightful illustrations. Brianna gets roped into the talent show as a last-minute replacement. All she wants is to do her homework and catch the eye of the cutest boy in school. She discovers there is more to life and that she is actually good at acting. It’s just not her thing. Izzy is so into acting she lets her other classes slide. Until Mom finds out.

A surprise ending helps give the reader something to think about. Recommended for anyone headed for middle school.

  • Positively IzzyTitle: Positively Izzy
  • Author/Illustrator: Terri Libenson
  • Published: Balzer & Bray/HarperCollins Publishers, 2018
  • Reviewer: Sue Poduska
  • Format: Hardcover, 224 pages
  • Grade Level: 2 to 7
  • Genre: Graphic Novel, Coming-of-Age
  • ISBN: 978-0-06-248497-0

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