Serena Says by Tanita S. Davis – Book Review

Title: Serena Says Author: Tanita S. Davis Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books Release Date: November 3, 2020

Serena St. John cannot wait to visit her best friend JC in the hospital, especially since JC just had a kidney transplant. When Serena starts to feel under the weather just before the visit, her plans are put on hold. Unable to see JC, another classmate of Serena’s, new girl Leilani (Lani), goes in her place. Serena’s troubles seem to pile up from there. As Serena and JC’s friendship wanes, Serena struggles to understand these changes and her own identity since she suddenly is no longer “JC’s best friend.” Through her family’s support, Serena’s vlogging hobby, and a growing ability to reflect in challenging moments, Serena gains the courage to speak up and speak out about what matters most to her.

Serena Says is a wholesome and honest look at middle school friendships. This notoriously hard age brings with it changes and challenges that often happen without a clear reason, making it all the more confusing and frustrating for young people. Author Tanita Davis captures a slice of this middle school experience. Readers will find themselves confounded and frustrated right alongside Serena as she navigates life and school without a best friend by her side. Serena’s transformation is subtle and realistic, showing that change does not always happen at once. Such a portrayal will resonate with middle grade readers as many will undoubtedly face similar conflicts and questions. Another strength is the novel’s diverse cast of characters. For instance, Serena is Black, JC is Filipino, and Lani is Hawaiian. The diverse set of perspectives will open doors to all types of readers and allow them to connect with the characters. On the other hand, Serena’s vlogging may get mixed reviews. While it provides insight into Serena’s mindset and perspective, some segments do not necessarily contribute to or move the plot forward in a significant way. Even so, other readers may enjoy her vlogs for the breaks they provide from the middle school drama that fills the rest of the narrative.

Serena Says brings a burst of fresh air to the middle grade genre. Many new books focus on larger societal issues or heavier topics, deservedly so. But novels, such as Serena Says, will always have a place in classroom libraries because of the universality of its central theme: the experience of friendship during middle school. Although seemingly a smaller topic in the scheme of things, it is a deeply personal one and potentially quite significant. A person’s own experiences during that time in their life can have a profound impact on them – no small topic indeed. Therefore, Serena will find many fans in the middle grades for the respect it affords young people and the empathy with which it treats their experiences.

Thank you to Edelweiss+ and publisher, Katherine Tegen Books, for an eARC of this book.

Classroom Applications

• Literature Circles – Use the novel as part of a study of themes of middle school and friendship.
• Book Club or Book Exchange – Share the novel with students that enjoy reading realistic fiction or books about friendship.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

• Vlogging
• DIY Crafts
• Mental Health

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with Serena Says. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

• Shouting at the Rain by Linda Mullaly Hunt (Character Connections, Themes)
• Where the Watermelons Grow by Cindy Baldwin (Character Connections, Themes)
• Stick with Me by Jennifer Blecher (Character Connections, Themes)
• Lupe Wong Won’t Dance by Donna Barba Higuera (Character Connections, Themes)

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