School Library Journal (Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2018)

Gr 3-5 Popular board book author and illustrator Patricelli offers up an amusing first novel on friendship, peer pressure, and being the new kid. Mono-browed Lily has a terrible first day of fourth grade; although both she and her sister feel ill, they get sent to their new school whereupon Lily throws up on potential new friends' shoes and all over the recess yard. Then a very unusual girl named Darby takes Lily under her wing and they form a two-member group called the Rizzlerunk Club. They have common interests in science, frogs, and trying to stay away from Lily's mom's health food. Things take a bad turn when Darby's previous best friend suddenly returns from a move to England, busting up the duo. Jill has a talent for getting Darby and Lily to do awful things that get them into big trouble with their teachers, the principal, and their friends. Jill always comes out of these incidents smelling like a rose. Lily must decide if she'll keep on being a follower and succumbing to peer pressure in order to stay in the Club or take her parents' advice and make good decisions to be her own person. Patricelli writes with warmth and humor, shining a light on the sometimes painful parts of establishing your own sense of self while wanting to be part of the "in" bunch. Lily's difficulties in deciding what to do are realistic and the solution has no whiff of adult didacticism. A generous helping of hilarious black-and-white illustrations enhances the text with humor and encourages pathos when Darby has difficulty finding her true self. VERDICT This engaging, funny, and heartfelt read will ring true to a young audience; Patricelli shows a real gift for capturing the dramas and goofiness of the age range. Recommended for most collections. B. Allison Gray, Goleta Public Library, CA

Kirkus Reviews

Supershy fourth-grader Lily Lattuga (Italian for "lettuce") just wants to blend in at her new school, but on the first day, she throws up on a popular girl's shoes!Then it gets worse: her new classmates start quacking at her after her repeated attempts to pronounce "Kwakiutl" in a list of Northwest Native American tribes—she never gets past the first syllable (an unfortunate joke)—and she gets on the wrong bus. Lucky for Lily, unselfconscious Darby Dorski extends the hand of friendship. The girls bond over their love of frogs, and the Rizzlerunk Club is born. The book's title comes from the club's pledge, which concludes "best buds, under frogs, with loyalty and honesty for all." When Darby's best friend, Jill, returns from London, loyalty and honesty are put to the test. Lily worries she'll lose the only friend she has, and Jill is a lying troublemaker who gets Lily and Darby into one scrape after another, throwing the girls under the bus while weaseling her way out of punishment. Lily attempts to shave her unibrow after Jill makes fun of it, only to end up with a finger superglued to her forehead. Everyone appears to be white except for one classmate with a Spanish name. Lily loves to draw, and her first-person narration is livened up with her humorous line drawings reflecting her thoughts and feelings.This first full-length narrative, a series opener, from board-book creator Patricelli (Hair, 2017, etc.) is a no-frills, funny story about friendship. (Fiction. 7-11)

ALA Booklist (Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2018)

Lily's secret wish of having a turtle shell to hide in is stronger than ever after she christens her first day of fourth grade by puking on the playground. Mortified, she's positive no one at her new school will want to be her friend now. But she didn't count on meeting Darby, a weird but funny girl in her class. Undeterred by the playground incident, Darby breaks through Lily's shy defenses with her goofy personality and enviable disregard for what others think. Together, they form the Rizzlerunk Club, named for the sea captain who, according to Darby, died on (and haunts!) the lake separating the girls' houses. Patricelli nails the anxiety that comes with moving and shyness, particularly the constant worry Lily feels over other people's opinions. Being friends with Darby positively challenges these fears, but when Darby's former best friend moves back to town, Lily worries this bossy, popular girl will steal Darby from her. Embellished with Lily's cartoon drawings, this tween novel about finding your own path is relatable, funny, and sincere.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

There isn-t a dull moment in this uproarious first novel from Patricelli, best known for her series of board books starring a springy-haired toddler. After a disastrous first day at her new school (much barfing is involved), -supershy- fourth-grader Lily wishes more than ever that she could -blend in, like the handful of spinach Mom adds to our smoothies.- Uninhibited Darby, a passionate believer in ghosts and a collector of frogs, takes Lily under her wing, but then Darby-s manipulative former best friend, Jill, reappears after a stint in London, and sets out to reclaim Darby. Flaunting her English school uniform and a rapidly acquired British accent, Jill masterminds pranks (such as sneaking out of class to paint the monkey bars) that she cajoles Lily and Darby into carrying out. With the exception of a running joke revolving around the name of a Native American tribe, Patricelli-s humor is on the mark, and her scribbly b&w cartoons add to the fun. Lily-s self-effacing narration carries this rollicking look at the challenges and rewards of friendship. Ages 7-10. Agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (Feb.)

Horn Book (Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Fourth grade, first day, brand-new school, and I'm barfing in front of everyone,