"The truth is, nothing else matters when you realize you might have lost the one thing you care about more than anything else in the whole world." (Allie Finkle)
I'm obviously not the intended target market for the Allie Finkle Rules for Girls series (and this series does feel too young for me), but if I was still 9 years old, I'm sure that I would have adored this series.
In Blast from the Past, Allie is excited to hear that her class is going on a field trip. However, when she hears that her old class is joining her new one, is paired with her ex-best friend, Mary Kay Shiner, and has to spend a lot of time with her enemy, Brittany Hauser, her excitement begins to diminish. Everything comes full circle in Blast from the Past.
Meg Cabot knows how to write a book series from a 9 year old girl's PoV. Allie Finkle is a likable, brave and strong-willed main character who stands up for herself and always tries to do the right thing. Allie's fears, doubts, insecurities and drama aren't brushed aside or dealt with in a condescending manner just because she's 9 years old. Instead, they are validated and Allie learns so many important life lessons along the way.
I recommend the Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls series to preteens and tweens. Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls is fun, light-hearted, has an extremely relatable main character and includes a bunch of life lessons.