by Kirby Larson
First published 2024
Second grader Shermy loves everything about school. He reads new stories and charts his progress. He helps his teacher stay organized. He takes pride in being a classroom leader. When his teacher asks him to buddy up with a new student, Shermy eagerly agrees. He discovers the new kid is Shake, his summer friend from out of town. At first, Shermy feels thrilled to have his buddy at school. But careful, rule-following Shermy and loud, energetic Shake are opposites. The other students quickly become fascinated with Shake, treating him like a rare trading card. Meanwhile, they stop paying attention to Shermy entirely. Shermy begins to wonder if bringing his summer friendship into the school year was a mistake. He must figure out whether two very different boys can remain close friends when everything changes around them.
Genres: fiction, friendship, school-stories, contemporary, social-issues
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
112 pages · Hardcover · Candlewick Press