Things Jolie Needs To Do Before She Bites It

Gr 7 Up—In a few months, Jolie is going to have surgery to correct her underbite. She's looking forward to finally being as pretty as her older sister, Abbi—not to mention being able to chew her food more easily, not speak with a lisp, and no longer have headaches. When she starts to worry that she'll die or her lips will get numb as a result of the surgery, Jolie makes a list of things to do before she "bites it." Her best friends Evelyn and Derek are on board, helping her try every appetizer on the Applebee's menu and suggesting that she audition for the school musical so that she can kiss Noah Reed. Then Derek admits that he has feelings for her, creating consequences not just for Jolie and Derek, but for her friendship with Evelyn as well. The author has a light touch with heavy topics and has crafted a funny and relatable lead, well-developed secondary characters, and great story lines. This is a brisk read with real insight into friendships and young romance. Readers will want to spend their time with Jolie, her family, and her friends.