Enemies

by Svetlana Chmakova

Overview

Felicity’s sure she’s going to do something big. Exactly what is still a mystery, but she’ll figure it out. Her sister, Letty, teases Felicity that she never finishes stuff, but that’s just because Letty is so perfect. Still, life is good with plenty of friends—drawing with the art club and playing games with her buddies keep her busy. But when she decides to join a contest to show Letty that she can get things done, Felicity begins to wonder if friends becoming enemies is easier than she thought. Are they really enemies, though…? What does it even mean to be enemies? And...who is it that she needs the most on her side...?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781975312787
Publisher:	Yen Press
Publication date:	09/27/2022
Series:	Berrybrook Middle School Series , #5
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	225,605
File size:	61 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	10 - 18 Years

About the Author

Svetlana Chmakova was born and raised in Russia until the age of 16, when her family emigrated to Canada. She quickly made a name for herself with works like Dramacon, Nightschool, the manga adaptation of James Patterson's Witch & Wizard, and the webcomic Chasing Rainbows. She graduated from Sheridan College with a three-year Classical Animation Diploma. Her latest work for middle grade readers, Awkward, has been a runaway critical success and was named one of YALSA's 2016 Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens!

Editorial Reviews

09/23/2022

Gr 4–8—In this fifth book in the "Berrybrook Middle School" series (counting 2019's Diary, which included original short stories set in the same universe), artist and gamer Felicity Teale does her best to stay away from drama and maintain friendships in all the different social groups. She historically has had trouble finishing any project she begins, so she embarks on an entrepreneur contest to prove to herself and her family that she is as good as her sister, Letty. Throughout the experience, Felicity finds herself pushing friends away and creating enemies in her social and academic environments. Her childhood best friend is also ghosting her, and she can't figure out why. This graphic novel tackles relatable middle school experiences ranging from bullying and sibling rivalry to first crushes. With a heavy focus on friendship, Chmakova emphasizes the importance of communication, honesty, and vulnerability. The dynamic panels offer readers an engaging experience, as the illustrations play with the pacing and sequencing of events. As in her other "Berrybrook Middle School" graphic novels, Chmakova uses pastel colors and darkens or lightens backgrounds to emphasize the tone of each scene. With a wide range of diverse characters, the author also challenges traditional gender norms. VERDICT This graphic novel, which will appeal to Chmakova's many fans, belongs in libraries for pleasure reading.—Angie Jameson

School Library Journal

2022-08-31
In this latest addition to the Berrybrook Middle School series, a girl enters a school contest for the wrong reasons—with mixed results.

Felicity Teale loves art, writing, and cosplay; she is less keen on school. In contrast to her organized, punctual, science-award–winning younger sister, Letty, Felicity has serious gaming and drawing skills but fails to complete projects. In elementary school, Felicity, who is Black, was close friends with Korean American Joseph Koh, but their middle school relationship has been complicated since super outgoing Felicity tried to pressure Joseph to socialize more. To prove to Letty that she can complete and win something, Felicity enters an entrepreneur club contest with a $1,000 prize. But Joseph also enters, partnering with someone from their gaming group and shutting Felicity out. Obsessed with winning, Felicity nixes her partner Tess’ suggestions and rejects Letty’s offer of help with the business plan. Although Felicity and Tess come up with a great idea, they fail to complete the submission on time, and Felicity’s behavior alienates Joseph and offends Tess. Felicity’s humorous, colloquial, first-person narration rings true, from her passion for gaming to her sibling rivalry to her volatile middle school relationships. With its use of emphatic text, exaggerated gestures and facial expressions, a muted color palette, and rapidly changing visual perspectives, the graphic format proves ideal for anime fan Felicity’s tale of self-acceptance, friendship, and family.

Lively, engaging, perfectly pitched tween drama. (Graphic novel. 9-13)

Kirkus Reviews