True to Your Selfie

November 1, 2019
Mean Girls goes to a New Jersey middle school in the social media age. Life is perfect as Ella Jane Plaza enters seventh grade. She and her best friend, Morgan Middleton, are the local internet sensation #Morgan&Ella. With more than 10,000 followers on all the best "socials," the duo are on their way to "global multiplatform domination." Maintaining her image as the ukulele-playing "Goofball Goddess" sidekick to Morgan's "Girlboss Goddess Next Door" isn't easy, but as long as Ella does exactly as privileged, spoiled Morgan says, everything is harmonious. When Ella, who's never been particularly good at anything except being epically unorganized, discovers she has a natural aptitude for fencing, she has to hide it from Morgan. Such a "terminally uncute" sport is bad for their brand and will make #Morgan&Ella (but mostly Morgan) look bad. Eventually, Ella, who narrates with sincerity and uncertainty, must decide whether or not to continue being untrue to herself in order to maintain her popularity. Ella knows Morgan is manipulative and cruel (particularly to Ella's nerdy former best friend) but rationalizes Morgan's unkind words and actions as acts of charity and wisdom. Notably, Morgan's meanness isn't explained away as a result of neglectful high-power parents. Olive-skinned Ella is of Mediterranean descent, and Morgan is white; their community is also largely white. A quick, entertaining read for fans of frenemy fiction. (Fiction. 8-13)

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December 9, 2019
In this middle grade story of a mean girl and her social media syndicate, when wealthy, popular Morgan selects Ella to be her BFF and brand partner, 12-year-old Ella dumps her bestie, Sophie, and her favorite fantasy series. Morgan is fully in charge of #Morgan&Ella (“What’s good for you is good for me is good for Morgan & Ella”). And though Ella finds it stressful to embody Goofball Goddess (her assigned role in the duo)—as well as play ukulele and sing backup on the covers she and Morgan perform—she’s intent on keeping her friend happy. But Ella’s actions (inadvertently losing her smartphone, for example) frequently annoy Morgan, who begins bullying Sophie, and Ella’s single mother becomes bothered by her daughter’s attitude and social media obsession. Ella discovers a love of fencing—which is quickly prohibited by her counterpart—and must decide what her priorities really are. Though it is unclear why Ella tolerates Morgan’s cruelty for so long when she doesn’t seem to enjoy the popularity it affords her, McCafferty (the Jessica Darling series) effectively captures tween speak and the allure of social media while exposing its inauthenticity. 8–12. Agent: Heather Schroder, Compass Talent.

January 1, 2020

Gr 5-8-Ella and Morgan are not your average 12-year-olds from New Jersey. They have fans and thousands of followers for their social media posts. Morgan, aka Girl Boss, has high hopes for the duo. She makes sure Ella is always ready for the public eye by sending her Morning Must-Dos, paying for makeovers, and choreographing the perfect selfie pose. As the quirky Goofball Goddess, Ella knows how important she is to their brand's success and how lucky she is that the wealthy and influential Morgan has chosen her as a partner. She's committed to their duo, especially if it means following in the footsteps of her idol Riley Quick. This loyalty causes Ella to turn a blind eye to Morgan's bullying and to overlook the fact that she can never be more popular than Morgan without facing backlash. Ella may keep quiet when Morgan picks on her former best friend Sophie, but it's Sophie's voice in her head that continues to remind her of the person she can be without Morgan's influence. Ella has to decide if social media popularity and potential national fame is worth the sacrifice. VERDICT This current and relatable novel will resonate with middle school readers, especially those who have felt the pressure to create a perfect social media presence. A fine purchase for middle school collections needing more contemporary fiction around complicated friendships.-Marissa Lieberman, East Orange Public Library, NJ

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