Mila and Tai have been best friends since they were toddlers, they grew up across the street from each other, in a lower income area. As summer comes to an end, Tai cannot wait for Mila to return home from spending a month with her aunt in the suburbs. Although, both girls have some secrets, and when Mila returns she’s more focused on her dance auditions coming soon than hanging out with Tai. I think this is a good book for middle schoolers to read because it is very relatable. Especially in middle school kids are going through similar situations. ( )

This one grew on me. Jamila (Bean) is changing as she heads into 8th grade. A tramatic incident at her friend Tai's house has changed her feeling about the Cove. A summer away was what she needed. In the last few weeks before school starts back up Tai and Mila's friendship is put to the test as they navigate their changing dynamic, as they prep to try out for a selective new arts opportunity, and as new kids and new relationships emerge. The book is peppered with teen speak, slang in the dialog and texts. The friend group is largely African-American ( )

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/paula-chase/so-done/

Jamila "Bean" Phillips and Metai (Tai, pronounced Tay) Johnson live in the Cove, a poorer and often overlooked part of Del Rio Bay. They've been neighbors forever, and each has a parent who's a drug addict; Mila is being raised by her dad, and Tai is being raised by her grandmother, with occasional visits by her dad. It's the summer before eighth grade, and Mila has spent all of it with her aunt and older sister, but now she has to return to the Cove. Most of all, she wants to avoid Tai's dad, but she and Tai don't talk about it. Can their friendship survive that - as well as the fact that they want different things for their futures? Mila is excited about auditioning for the talented-and-gifted dance program, but Tai is just going along with her friends. What will happen if one of them gets in and the other doesn't?

This is a thoughtful story about friendship between two girls with a long history, on the cusp of high school and their futures. Smaller in scope than Angie Thomas' The Hate U Give, but a good choice for a younger audience.

Quotes

The words that had been welled up inside of Mila wouldn't stay down. Tai said whatever she wanted, no matter how mean, like it was okay just because it was how she felt. It wasn't. It never had been, but Mila had never said anything, until now. (146)

MIla wanted to make new friends and do new things. But did it have to mean losing Tai? (168) ( )