Brianna (white) is an impulsive third grader who longs for friends. Her good intentions are often overshadowed by her enthusiastic actions that make sense to her but annoy others. Brianna recently moved with her mom from their trailer home to a city home with her grandmother, while her father moved to Western Canada for work. Brianna wants nothing more than to be selected as the Helper of the Day in her classroom, a job that offers positive attention and the privilege of returning classroom books to the library, an errand that requires walking independently to the school’s second floor. Once again, Brianna is not chosen, and on this day, the honor is given to Rumi (brown-skinned), the quiet new girl. Brianna is envious but also tries to set Rumi at ease. With her Helper of the Day status, Rumi is welcomed into the social circle of classroom clique the Cheese Girls—but only to hold their coats at recess, not to play with them. Brianna can relate to this exclusion and invites Rumi to join her and a young neighbor that Brianna protects from bullies. Later, when the teacher asks Rumi to pick a classmate to walk with her to the library, Rumi picks Brianna. In Brianna’s excitement, she gets them lost in the hallways of the big-kid classrooms but uses her pluckiness to set things right. A straightforward school story offers tender insights into the challenges of making friends and doing your best.

★ "Reminiscent of Junie B. Jones. Illustrations by Ogawa evoke Raina Telgemeier vibes and bring funny scenes of this charming read by Button to vivid life."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

★"Readers will root for Brianna, while perhaps understanding why she has so few friends. A flawed but sympathetic character worthy of readers' love."--Kirkus, starred review

I'm Brianna Ross. And what I love is:

1. Kicking leaves.
2. Digging soft sand.
3. Helping others.

What I don't love is:

1. Having zero friends in my class.
2. Getting in trouble every single day.
3. Being called Brianna Banana.

Nine-year-old Brianna struggles to fit in. She can be impulsive and distracted, and sometimes she loses her temper, but she's also thoughtful and brave and ready to be a friend. Brianna thinks that being chosen for classroom helper duty will make the other kids like her. When new girl Rumi is named Helper of the Day instead, Brianna is disappointed. But could a new friend be just around the corner?

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.