Kelly, Erin Entrada. On Again, Awkward Again. Addl. Creator Kwame Mbalia. Amulet, 04/2025. 261pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-4197-7563-5. GRADES 7–10. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
Personal interactions of any type can be awkward at any age, but when you mix two shy, unpopular high school freshmen and feelings of attraction, things get awkward. Pacy (Filipina) and Cecil (Black), first see each other in the nurse’s office, then fate puts them on the freshman dance planning committee, where emotions begin to simmer. Co-writers Kelly and Mbalia have created alternating first-person chapters which chart the whole messy, funny, budding romance. Pacy receives some useful advice from her best friend and her four-times married aunt, while Cecil’s confusing romance advice comes from his slightly older brother, barely dating best friend, his dad (possibly separated from his mom), and his wise grandfather. An accurate look at how many tween and teens learn to interact and connect with others, with humorous situations and a positive ending.
Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library