Sydney A. Frankel's Summer Mix-Up

by Danielle Joseph

Sydney Frankel, soon to be a sixth-grader, is looking forward to a summer of fun with her best friend, Maggie. She figures she deserves some time to herself to do what she wants before her mom delivers Sydney's new sibling in just four months. Too bad Sydney's mom has other plans for her. Sydney's forced to take a summer course at the South Miami Community Center. She's allowed to take any class, except for what she really wants―a reading course. But when Maggie comes up with a switcheroo plan so that they can both take the classes they like, unexpected complications arise.

Genres: Middle Grade

264 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2021

About the author

I'm the author of the upcoming picture book THE MITZVAH FAIRY (2.4.2025) and the biography of Jewish South African freedom fighter, Ruth First, RUTH FIRST NEVER BACKED DOWN. My other books include, SYDNEY A. FRANKEL'S SUMMER MIX-UP, I WANT TO RIDE THE TAP TAP, SHRINKING VIOLET, INDIGO BLUES and PURE RED. SHRINKING VIOLET was the inspiration for Disney's RADIO REBEL on the Disney Channel! When I'm not writing, I'm either listening to music, eating chocolate or swimming--sometimes all at once!

For more info visit my website at: www.daniellejoseph.com

Reviews

[Stephanie Fitzgerald]

Sydney Frankel is about to begin sixth grade. This would not be such a problem if she wasn’t dreading all the “public speaking” she’s been hearing about that comes with middle-school. Sydney has trouble breathing just thinking about getting up in front of people and talking! Add to this the uncertainty of becoming a sibling for the first time, and it seems to be a recipe for disaster! Will Sydney’s summer class at the rec center help her with her anxiety, or push her deeper into her “shell”?
I highly recommend this one for all middle-grade readers and teachers! For readers who enjoyed Beverly Cleary’s works as kids, I think they will see many similarities between Miss Ramona Quimby and Miss Sydney Frankel! So hopeful that the author is planning sequels already!
*Thank you, Netgalley, for a free digital copy. All opinions are strictly my own.*

[Kristine]

Thank you to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group for the e-ARC of this book to review. I have to say, this book really grew on me from a 3-star read to a way higher ending, and I'm glad I stuck with it.

I know that I'm still a child at heart because the clueless adult things parents do will forever irk me. I did have some trouble at the start of the book because we meet Sydney and her mom in a standoff about enrolling in some summer classes to help her boost her confidence and break out of her shell before starting middle school. While this is a great thing, obviously, the Clueless Parent thing starts off strong: it's a lot of "I know what's good for you and you'll thank me later, you'll understand when you're older" from the mother when that's not only just so irritating to hear, but obviously not how her daughter responds to anything. Like that's not an effective way to convince her to do anything, especially what she's scared of and not herself into.

So of course, Sydney's not going to do what her mom says, and she devises a switcheroo with her best friend Maggie which I LOVE. I don't enjoy the summer full of lies and deception, but I love that kids will always find a way around their parents' rules while still abiding by the general gist of the situation. It seems like Sydney's parents would have been open to an honest communication but were just caught up in their own goings-on (new baby on the way) - but that also means they should've known their kid would have outsmarted them. (And she mostly *does* follow their wishes and joins a class, just not the one they were trying to force upon her!) See, they'd all benefit from an honest sit-down. But then, where would the fun be?
Without giving away the ending, I love that the characters found their own paths, and did find ways to push out of their shells over a productive summer, just not the ways the adults would have forced them to.

[Steph L]

What I enjoyed



Characters

The characters in this novel were crafted well. They read as though they were real people, and that Middle School readers and readers of all ages could relate to them. An ensemble of characters who help her learn more about herself over the summer joins the main character Sydney. What I enjoyed the most about the characters was that they all had unique personality traits which played well together as the story progressed.

Plot



The plot of this novel was interesting. Sydney and her best friend Maggie both need to take classes at the community center after their parents tell them they need to meet new people this summer. Sydney is shy, so she is signed up for the dance class to get out of her shell. Maggie is an extrovert who needs help with reading so she is in the reading class. The girls switch places and Sydney learns that she can make friends in the reading class as well. I loved the story because if the personal journey Sydney goes on.

Writing



The writing of this novel told the story well. It was written in a style that was relatable and didn’t take away from the plot or the characters. The writing style made A lighter scene light and fun. Going hand in hand with that, the style of writing made the more serious scenes serious. I will read more from this author in the future.

Friendships

The friendship between Maggie and Sydney was so sweet. I loved how each of them cared for each other. The other friendship I enjoyed was the one between Sydney and Ollie, along with the other kids from the reading class. These friends didn’t judge each other, they just accepted each other and their differences.



Enjoyment

I loved this story so much. I enjoyed the characters, plot, writing, and friendships. I believe any fan of Middle Grade contemporary would enjoy this.

[Michelle Kidwell]

Sydney A. Frankel's Summer Mix-Up
by Danielle Joseph
Pub Date 01 Nov 2021
Lerner Publishing Group, Kar-Ben Publishing ®
Children's Fiction | Middle Grade



I am reviewing a copy of Sydney A. Frankel’s Summer Mix-Up through Lerner Publishing Group, Kerry-Ben Publishing and Netgalley:



Sydney Frankel is soon to be a sixth grader who is looking forward to spending a summer of fun with her best friend Maggie. Sydney figures she deserves some time to herself to do what she wants before her mom delivers Sydney's new sibling in just four months. Unfortunately, Sydney’s Mom has other plans in store for her.



Sydney’s Mother is forcing her to take a summer course at the South Miami Community Center. She's allowed to take any class, except for what she really wants a reading course. But when Maggie comes up with a plan to have them switch places so that they can both take the classes they like, unexpected complications arise.



I give Sydney A. Frankel’s Summer Mix-Up five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

[Laura]

This is one of those stories that wouldn't have happened if the main chracters had been honest with their parents, and spoken up.

However, having said that, I like how the circumstances worked differently than they thought.

The main story is that Sydney wants to spend the summer reading, and her friend Maggie wants to spend the summer dancing, but their parents each think that they should do the opposite because it would be better for them.

So, what do they do, but switch once they are at the summer recreation center.

It is a cute, well done story of what happens when you try to hide a lie, and think you can get away with it. In this case, they almost do.

Generally good middle school story of consequences, and the stress of keeping a lie going.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Katie Reilley]

Thank you to the author for sharing an early copy with #bookexpedition.

It's the summer before her 6th grade year, and all Sydney Frankel wants to do is stay home and watch TV with her bestie, Maggie Stein, or read all day. But her mom has other plans for her - plans that include taking a class at the town's community center to help her get over her anxiety surrounding public speaking. Maggie's got to take a class, too, and the Frankelstein duo hatch a good old plan of switcheroo.

Lots of things for readers to discuss in this one - a growing family, evolving friendships, and staying true to who you are make this a great realistic fiction for middle grade students.

As an adult reader, I did feel it ended a bit abruptly, and am curious to hear what my 4/5th grade students think of the ending.

Coming 11/1/21!

[AJ Berejikian]

This book is really good. Even as an adult, I found it really well-written and engaging. I liked the inclusion of jewish culture into the book. I think that representation is good and it doesn't always need to be in your face and flashy. I liked the more subtle mentions of it which makes it more normal. I think the story is very good and is a really good moral for children. It is something that kids can relate to, as I was personally signed up for classes that I didn't want to take over the summer in the past. I think that it is very good and isn't just for kids.

[Polly-Alida]

Soon to be 6th graders and best friends, Sydney and Maggie don’t want to spend their summer taking classes at the local community center. Sydney just wants to read all summer and hang out with Maggie. Sydney’s mom says she has to take a class and it can’t be the reading class! Maggie wants to dance. The best friends plot a switcheroo and the trouble begins. Fun read with just the right amount of friend dramas and emotional growth. Thanks to publisher and NetGalley for a review copy.

[Bree]

A good book. The ending wasn't really very satisfying, because nobody really reacted much... at all... but I liked all the characters. I could understand all of their intentions, even if I didn't agree with any of them. I also really sympathized with Sydney, and thought it was all really realistic.

[Emma Cohen]

My niece and I loved the book! My niece was easily able to relate to Sydney and her friends. The book was very funny and had a nice lesson at the end. She’s typically not keen on reading, but she couldn’t put it down!

[Steph]

Very cute story about besties switching places to be in summer classes they enjoy, and learning lots about themselves and how to be brave in the process.

[Liza Wiemer]

Loved this book with awesome Jewish rep.
FRTC

[Maddy]

Good humor and many lessons learned. A bit cheesy with a rushed ending, but overall a feel good children’s book. 3.5 stars.

[Alex]

This was ADORABLE.

[Sandra]

It was cute, the middle was the best part. It was slow to start and ended abruptly.

[Angela]

Cute, fun middle grades read. Great characters.

[Lisa Bernstein]

In this sweet middle-grade novel, Sydney learns to cope with her own social anxiety while making friends and learning that everyone has their own challenges.

[Lisa]

Such a fun sweet mix up!

Sydney Frankel is going into sixth grade and her mom insists she take a summer class.

No problem right? Well, yes a big problem, they do not agree on which class Sydney will take.

Sydney loves reading so a reading class is what she desires most. Of course her mother says she can take absolutely ANY class Except reading.

So Sydney hatches a plan to switch classes with her best friend Maggie.
Surpisingly this works out and both girls are in their preferred classes.

Couple this with Sydney being nervous about becoming a big sister really soon, and it's a mixed up but fun summer.

I really liked the girls and their strong friendship.

I thought Sydney's fears were realistic.

I enjoyed following Sydney's progression and growth in the summer class.

And the ending was super cute too.


Even though this book is for middle grade readers, I think even teens or adults would enjoy it as well.

Highly recommended! 4 *****


So I thank NetGalley and the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

[Phan]

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with the digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is about Sydney, a little girl, and her summer reading improvement class at the community center. It's worth noting that Sydney attends the class with the name of Margaret (Maggie), her best friend. Sydney's mom wants her to take any class at the community center to help with her communication difficulties and anxiety, but not a reading class because she is already an avid reader. Despite her dissatisfaction with her mother's decision, Sydney is so desperate for the reward of her own phone that she and Maggie decide to switch classes. The summer begins with stories of friendship, teen love, and, most importantly, family bonds. Actually, with some mischievous ideas and a lot of luck, the two girls have almost managed to get away with it.

The storyline of the book is simple; there are some plot twists, but they are solved quickly. In my opinion, there are several characters that have not been fully developed. I really loved the family aspect of the story, which featured Sydney, her expecting mom, and her hilarious father. I think the author has accurately expressed the thoughts of an insecure teenager who is about to welcome a new family member. Another highlight is how the author includes cultural and religious aspects into the story without being awkward. In general, I suggest this book to anybody in their teens or a little older, as well as non-native English readers who want to find a book written in simple English to improve reading skills.