Cookie monsters

Two seventh graders face off to become a scouting cookie queen in this tenderhearted novel by Kendrick (Squad Goals). Having lost last year's World Scouts Alliance cookie-selling district title to a now-graduated high schooler, Black middle school student Brooklyn Ace is "in it to win it." She hopes to take the grand prize and dedicate it to her mother, who died of cancer the year prior. But the arrival of a transfer student, wealthy white Instagram influencer Piper Parker, brings competition to the fore. As Piper edges in on Brooklyn's established customers, and Brooklyn realizes how much of her success involved her compassionate mother's way with people, Brooklyn becomes overwhelmed with anxiety and grief as well as uncertainty about her prospects for winning. With the aid of her faithful scout troop members, HoneyBee cheer squad, vivacious therapist, and fashionable grandmother, Betty Jean, Brooklyn works to overcome her obstacles. Concentrating on Brooklyn's emotional growth, the positive first-person narrative sheds light on the importance of loyal friends, mental health support, and cherishing a loved one's memory. Ages 8--12. Agent: Marcy Posner, Folio Literary. (Jan.)

A 12-year-old girl finds her voice with the help of her community as she competes to sell the most cookies. Brooklyn Ace, a Black seventh grader at Valentine Middle School, is the reigning cookie queen. This year will be no different despite not having her biggest supporter in her corner to help her reach her goal of selling 5,000 boxes of World Scouts Alliance cookies and winning the Santa Monica district prize. Her biggest obstacle is Piper Parker, a new White student who is already stealing away Brooklyn's regular customers with fancy tactics--and the help of lots of kids from their school eager to go to the pool party Piper is promising them if she wins. Brooklyn realizes that her mom, whose death she is grieving, did a tremendous amount of the groundwork for Brooklyn's record-breaking cookie sales. Even with the help of her therapist and supportive, racially diverse scout squad--Lyric, Luciana, and Stella Rose--Brooklyn will need to reexamine her definition of winning as the fierce cookie competition nears its end. Secondary characters' personalities aren't clearly delineated, and readers will feel less invested in them. The delivery of the central message can feel heavy-handed, but the fast pace and conversational tone that uses up-to-the-minute language will draw readers in. The book's strongest quality is the spotlight it shines on mental health and the importance of community. An appealing read, especially for those looking to start a conversation about grief and anxiety. (Fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.