Emma McKenna, Full Out (The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class #1)

Emma McKenna is the first in a new series featuring different authors giving voice to different students in the new third-grade class at Curiosity Academy. The events flowed at a nice pace over the course of the first few days of school. Emma was such a relatable character. She is nervous and excited to start at a new school. She has suffered from bullying and that has taken a toll on her self-confidence but with the support of her new friends and friendly staff she faces her fears of speaking in front of the school about her school mascot choice.
There were many humorous incidents throughout that endear us to Emma’s character. There is some drama potential when Lucy, her former best friend and bully ringleader from her old school, ends up being in her class. I liked that this book was lighthearted and did not become a drama-filled book. Not engaging in the drama had my daughter turning pages to find out why Emma considers Lucy her enemy. It does finally reveal the reason and does have a small encounter that is the start of a neutral existence between these former friends.
Overall, this was a fast-paced read with a few illustrations throughout keeping the Middle-Grade reader engaged. There were many relatable events, especially for anyone who has changed schools before. I like the focus on working together, finding your strengths, and finding alternatives to making competitions so that everyone can belong. I highly recommend this book, especially for reluctant readers, third graders, and anyone who has changed schools. This looks like a stellar author lineup and I like the story potential from diverse perspectives in the upcoming books of the series.

Emma is excited to be starting Curiosity Academy, a brand new school in her Peppermint Falls community, where she will be in the third grade with the sneaker wearing Mrs. Zamora. Emma wants her new classmates to think she is interesting, so brings a lot of exuberance to the classroom... until she finds out that her nemesis from last year, Lucy, is attending the school as well. Emma has younger twin sisters, Abby and Mae, who are interested in daily celebrations like National Skyscraper Day, and Emma starts sharing these with her classmates. National Extra Dessert Day doesn't go well when she tries to give away a handful of gummy worms one at a time. People are understandably leery, and Emma ends up standing on a table to advertise her plan, which gets her in a little trouble, although Mrs. Z is very understanding and constructive in her reprimand. The school is trying to figure out a new mascot, with students researching different animals, and the third graders are all learning to play the recorder. One of their assignments is to play a song for other people. When the teacher announces a competition, with the student who has the most people listen winning candy, one student opines that this is divisive, and suggests that each student should play for ten people, and if the class meets their goal, everyone can get candy. Emma teams up with Rohan for the recorder playing, traveling around their neighborhood and serenading neighbors, but is apprehensive about getting up and giving a speech about her mascot choice, the capybara. Last year, in a disastrous talent show incident, she fell out with Lucy, who gave her the nickname "Bongo Butt" after a cheerleading wardrobe malfunction revealed bright yellow underwear with her dog's picture on them! Will Emma be able to overcome her anxiety and to come to an understanding with her former best friend?