1 of 1 copy available
Seventh-grader Viv never looks forward to picture day. It’s just another day where she wears a boring braid and no one notices her. (Her two best friends, Milo and Al, don’t count, of course.)
But enough is enough. This year, she’s taking matters into her own hands. Literally. Viv grabs a pair of scissors, her phone for live-streaming, and, well, bye-bye braid.
Suddenly Viv is an over-night influencer at Brinkley Middle School. Everyone wants her help planning their next big moment—from haircuts, to dance proposals, activist rallies and mathlete championships. She hardly even has time for her friends anymore. It’s exactly how she dreamed of reinventing herself…right?
In the tradition of modern classics like Vera Brosgol's Be Prepared, Svetlana Chmakova's Awkward, and Kayla Miller's Click, Picture Day brings answers to perennial questions of what it means to be true to yourself—and a true friend.
Look for the whole Brinkley Yearbooks series:
PICTURE DAY • TRYOUTS • SCHOOL DANCE (Coming August 2025!)
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Creators
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Series
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Publisher
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Release date
June 27, 2023 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780593614426
- File size: 31911 KB
- Duration: 01:06:28
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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April 10, 2023
Seventh grader Viv has always dreaded the yearly school picture day. No matter how much she advocates for a chance to shake up her style, each photo ends up with Viv wearing a Mom-approved outfit and sporting her customary braid. But Viv is tired of the routine and, wanting to make a splash, decides to do something drastic: armed with a pair of scissors and reference photos of her favorite online influencer, Viv snips off her boring ’do. The bold move catapults her to the top of the Brinkley Middle School food chain; suddenly, her classmates are seeking Viv’s advice on how to live their truth. But in her enthusiasm to be her school’s top influencer, Viv ignores her friends, clashes with her mom, and starts losing sight of who she was to begin with. In this compassionate graphic novel, a solo debut, Sax (the Escape This Book! series) employs bright and inviting hues, uncomplicated paneling, and an expressive, visually diverse cast to diligently detail one tween’s single-minded pursuit of clout and desire to stand out no matter the cost. Heartfelt interactions surrounding popularity and identity provide ample fodder for introspective discussion. Ages 8–12. Agent: Molly O’Neill, Root Literary. -
Starred review from August 1, 2023
Gr 4 Up-Yep, it's another picture day. Even more predictable is Olivia's mother's insistence over what to wear (homemade white cardigan with yellow flowers) and how to do her hair (Mom even braids it!). But this is seventh grade and Viv-she's done being just another Olivia-won't let others "tell [her] who to be." One bold move-she discards that braid on screen!-leads to many, many others. But at what cost? Her favorite influencer advises "be true to yourself and the world will notice." Viv definitely has an audience now, but has she lost sight of her very self? The impressive cast, led by youthfully exuberant Wong, presents a rewarding performance of Sax's solo debut. Sadly, there is no who-read-who reveal at recording's end; since this is the fantastic first of a four-book series, "The Brinkley Yearbooks," let's hope the producers will provide continuity (and credits) in the volumes ahead. VERDICT Middle schoolers navigating social hierarchies will find compelling resonance here.
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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