Audrey Covington breaks the rules

In Burbank, Calif., rising seventh grader Audrey Covington faces a whole summer without longtime best friends Sadia and Tamzin, on whom she's counting to help her navigate junior high. Devastated when they disinvite her from their annual end-of-the-year sleepover by text, citing her protective parents' strict guidelines, she finds her mother unwilling to make any changes. A chance to break some rules presents itself after Audrey's parents move her maternal grandmother--beloved former Hollywood star Nana Rhea, who's been facing paparazzi at her Hollywood home--to a retirement community. Nana Rhea, not truly ready for the adjustment, makes a break for it with Audrey in the car, and the two strike a deal that meets both their needs: one night on the town for Nana Rhea to visit old memories and for Audrey to explore her wild side. With Audrey's parents--and Nana Rhea's fans--hot on their tail, they get Audrey's ears pierced at a tattoo parlor, sneak into a Hollywood studio wardrobe to borrow glamorous attire, and crash an exclusive pool party. Tracing the duo's big night out with considerable verve, Evans (Grow Up, Tahlia Wilkins!) mixes a glamorous setting and quirky characters with deeper themes about growing up, as Audrey learns about her mother's struggles with Nana Rhea and the idea that adults face transitional change, too. Characters default to white. Ages 8--12. Agent: Jessica Mileo, InkWell Management. (Apr.)

Why does Audrey's mother set such strict boundaries when her own mother, Nana Rhea, an aging former film star, led such a colorful life? Audrey's parents insist she follow their rules: no gymnastics, no PG-13 movies, no video games. Since rising seventh grader Audrey doesn't even know what she likes, she doesn't rebel--until her two best friends uninvite her from their annual end-of-school-year sleepover because they don't want to limit their activities to ones she's allowed. Audrey is understandably heartbroken and mad, but her mother won't negotiate her rules. She also rarely talks about what her own childhood with Nana Rhea was like. Audrey's mom is directing Nana Rhea's life too, insisting she move to a retirement community. When Nana Rhea runs away for one last romp, Audrey goes with her. What follows is a riotous gallivant across Hollywood as they "borrow" outfits from a studio costume department, visit a tattoo parlor so Audrey can get her ears pierced, mingle at star-filled parties--and try to outrun Audrey's parents. Audrey is having the time of her life while learning heaps about why some parental limits might actually be good. Friendships and family dynamics among this default White cast come under scrutiny, allowing for growth, change, and self-discovery. One of Audrey's best friends has black hair and a Muslim name. This quirky read celebrates exploring and finding the right balance between guidance and freedom. (Fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.