This 1998-2000 series precisely disects, and relives to the messiness of friendship and adolescence. As the first protagonist introduces the series, seventh grade is where hormones hit you and you end up crying on the bathroom floor over nothing. Something Zoe Grandon thought she’d never do. But then again, she never thought she’d get a crush on her neighbor, Tommy Levitt nor want CJ Hurley to share friendship rings with her so badly. And it is that friendship ring that starts the desires and drama for the friend group.

1. Not That I Care: The third book is unique as it only takes place during one class period in Morgan’s life instead of over several days as with the other girls. Morgan causes the most drama. Of course, it stems from insecurity and a generally aggressive attitude that makes even her good-intentioned acts come across as snarky and manipulative. Plus her home life is not the best either with her immature Dad running off to be an actor, her Mom’s short temper and the low-income situation. The ‘Bring Yourself in a Sack’ project that has been the center of the previous two books is used to its full extent as Morgan freaks out about how personal each item is and flashesback to their significence and thus relates to the present day. It was a fascinating and unique way to give insight to Morgan.
2. If Only You Know: The first book introduces Zoe Grandon, the friendliest and most well-adjusted girl in the grade. In fact, she and her family are considered so stinking happy and perfect, they could be a sitcom. Even Zoe believes that about herself but as her older sisters warn her, hormones will change her to someone she doesn’t know. It’s true and Vail paints a painful relatable picture of how everything feels so important and fragile in Zoe’s life. Zoe feels on top of the world yet horribly insecure, mood varying wildly that she feels out of control all the time and the gossip of girl world only makes it worse. It’s a great introduction and shows Vail’s expertise in teasing out all the very real feelings.
3. Popularity Contest: The book serves as an nice full circle moment to the series. While nothing is quite resolved (especially on the Olivia end), Zoe realizes several important things about friendship like honesty and communication (not that it solves everything) as well as likability which Zoe has struggled throughout the series.
4. What Are Friends For: Olivia has been on the fringes of the series, and the friend group which she acknowledges. She tends to put off the other girls with her moral righteousness and intellectualism. In fact, she finds most of the girls in her class, and her friends to be ridiculous with their preoccupation with popularity, primping and boys. She prides herself with asserting her individuality and not falling for such shallow concepts. Then she gets a crush and everything turns upside down where she almost considers backing off her morals to fit in and even getting to know Morgan? While I found Olivia to be a little bit unbelievably precocious, she was such a unique protagonist with a defined personality that it kept me invested. I only wish her arc could have been touched upon more in the last book.
5. Please, Please, Please: CJ’s book is good as shows the hidden steel and rebellion under the shy ballerina. While she has intense talent, and a vicarious stage mother, CJ doesn’t want to be a prodigy, she wants to blend in and hates the thought that others see her as stuck-up for her ‘specialness.’ Her story was engaging, fast-paced and complex especially in relation to her mother. It simply comes second to last because I found the others more intriguing.
6. Fill in the Blank: This seems to be a companion book rather than part of the series. Even the internet is confused as some websites say this is #6, others say it’s #5. I lean to companion because it breaks away from the circle of girls to focus on Tommy Levitt. While it is interesting to see his side of the story (and how totally clueless he is) and some very funny observations, it did feel very disconnected from the rest, and I wished a little more depth from him and how he regards masculinity but then again, he’s a teenage boy so I really shouldn’t be expecting such reflection from him.