The start was a little slow with about 20 girls being introduced, each with her own outfit, but by the time the girls get into a detailed conversation about EXACTLY WHAT IS MEANT by a boy's shrug and HOW BIG WAS THE SHRUG, I was hooked. Cute romance and friendship story with lots of gossip and middle-school drama and some clever (if old-fashioned for sixth-graders) turns of phrase. One neat thing for a dance-centric story is that all the girls felt 100% free to ask boys to the dance, which I didn't notice while reading it because it was so normal to me and my understanding of life, but which is so often incorrectly a big deal in books like this. Everybody Bugs Out reminds me of all of the relationship drama going down at my middle school. Everybody seems to have a crush, but their crush likes someone else. It is like having a soap opera going on for eight hours a day! I understand how Annabelle feels; not being entirely comfortable acting on a crush. Leslie Margolis has hit on the reality of tween relationships.In a refreshing break from young adult romances, Annabelle acts like a typical tween girl. She acts exactly the same way that I would, and I can completely relate to both Annabelle and her story. What I love most about Annabelle is her relationship with her friends. They all stand up for each other and share advice, especially about boys.I really like how the science fair is worked into the plot. There are little updates about how Annabelle’s project is progressing all through the book. Oh, and Annabelle has to use some of her famous boy training techniques for the science fair. I never grow tired of reading about her tactics with boys.The sweet and fresh relationship between Annabelle and Oliver is the spotlight of this book. At first, Oliver seems to be just another rowdy boy in need of training. As it turns out though, Oliver is a nice guy and I can see why Annabelle has a crush on him. Perhaps someday there will be an Oliver for me or one of my friends at school. I hope so.RATING5 LovedCOVER COMMENTSThis cover fits right along with the other two books. I love how the ladybugs form a heart, to represent all the crushes going on. And might that be Annabelle and Oliver sitting there? They seem to be having a good time.
What do You think about Everybody Bugs Out (2011)?
This book was one of those books that was funny, but I also couldn't put it down.
—reignofimagination
Practically perfect middle school read!
—lovereading1234
