Navigating the middle-school years is no easy task. I, for one, have no desire to revisit that tumultuous age—outside the pages of a book, of course. With her Being Zoey books, Melody Carlson delves into the challenges of those years in a meaningful, uplifting way.

In Meet the Misfits, Zoey moves away from the home and friends she’s known to live with her grandparents. Then, in Odd Girl Out, Zoey heads into her first days of middle school without a friend and must figure out who she wants to be in this new school.

Throughout these stories, as she adjusts to her new life, Zoey deals with making new friends, bullying, fitting in (or not), and more—plus, how her new faith can help her through it all. Her experience has moments of fun, plenty of drama, and great life lessons for the middle-grade reader.

I received a complimentary copy of these books and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. ( )

Odd Girl Out continues the story of Zoe who is now facing a new school. Her best friend is sick the first few days of school, so Zoe is really feeling uncomfortable. She had an eventful summer and hopes the bullying has stopped. Before I go any further I have to mention something that was very strange to me. There are a couple of words like blase, veneer and woozers that are not even remotely used by this age group.

Zoe meets a new girl at school named Taylor who I thought was going to be trouble right away. Taylor does try to discourage Zoe from worrying about the girls that have been bullying her, but to be fair wasn't Taylor doing the same thing by putting the girls down? I cringed when I heard Zoe being called ugly. Oh how I know what that feels like. Words do hurt and they linger in your thoughts for a long time.

It is so hard at this age to be confidant and comfortable with yourself and others. Zoe does a good job of not going overboard trying to be with the popular group. It did bring back memories for me and hard I struggled to fit in. Everyone knew my dad was a pastor so of course I was labeled the religious freak and goody two shoes. I was called ugly on a daily basis and I can still remember crying in my room every night.

The story is good and has some great words of wisdom. I liked what Taylor's dad said; " Just because you're good at something doesn't mean it is good for you." Taylor does mean well and is always encouraging Zoe but there are times she pushes too much. I think it is time for Zoe to start speaking up and following her heart. I loved that the author includes cyber bullying in the story. She does a great job of showing how it can be done and how harmful it can be. Overall the story is good and emphasizes the dangers of bullying and how easy it is to judge others.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion ( )

'I'm so confused that I'm actually questioning my own commitment of faith at Camp Silverwood. Was I simply tricked? Was everything there just a big fat lie? Deep down inside of me, I don't think so. Deep down, I believe what I heard was true...the commitment I made was real.'

These are the thoughts of Zoey Petrizzo as she struggles with being the new girl in sixth grade and trying to make new friends and fit in. Her friendship with Louisa has suffered a blow and another new girl in Cedarville seems to want to be her friend but Taylor longs to become one of the popular kids, an A-lister, and Zoey isn't so sure that is her goal. As she tries to make amends with Louisa, figure out her relationship with Taylor, and remain true to her new Christian faith, we see Zoey torn about her life in general! She is still plagued by bullying. but this time it is bullying through social media and this promises to be even more devastating. Suddenly, Zoey is an outcast and rejected by everyone in school and she has no clue until Taylor confronts her about all of the derogatory remarks that Zoey has been sending through an app on her phone. Poor Zoey, she barely even knows how to text!

Odd Girl Out is the second book of the Being Zoey series and author Melody Carlson once again offers an enjoyable story laced with faith and Christian values. She also delivers pertinent information about the legal and emotional consequences associated with cyberbullying. I am so glad that these books will be available for my young granddaughter when she gets a little older!

I received a complimentary digital copy from Celebrate Lit Tours but I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts. ( )

Zoey returns for the first day of middle school. Not only is she starting at a new school in a new town, but her best friend is also sick and not coming with her.

Melody Carlson gives young ladies another story about the challenges of youth. Odd Girl Out deals with issues like peer pressure and cyberbullying.

Through the course of the first couple weeks of school, Zoey learns that friends can use you for their own gain, that little voice inside your head warning somethings not right should be heeded, and that, no matter the challenges she’s struggling within the moment, God is always there.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. ( )