Fifth grade perfectionist and know-it-all Elfie is suspended, on her first day, from the private academy she is excited about attending. So it’s back to her public school, where she has been a friendless misfit. She’s a difficult character to like, prickly and pedantic, pushing people away with her rigidity and need to always be right. Over time, dealing with the illness of a beloved babysitter and the family disruption of her cousin, she becomes more human, developing compassion and learning how to be a friend.

Sometimes things just don't go right. We all have bad days and can relate to Elfie Unperfect. It will make you laugh, it will make you think, it will make you feel better about some of your mistakes and imperfections.

Elle's story of being the smartest kid in class, the one who doesn't feel challenged, is relatable in so many ways. It's a great book for the kid who doesn't have a lot of peer freindships; it's a good read for those who are dealing with a loved one's cancer; it's a great story for anyone that has to search for a safe place to eat at lunch as well. Elle learning to deal with group projects, peers and overcome an embarrassing and unjust disappointment will love this story, no matter their age.

Elfie Unperfect is PERFECT for anyone who's ever worried about what their peers think about them and how to fit in. Mahoney's book is engaging and written with heart and humor. Great for young teens, as a read aloud, and reluctant readers.
Thank you Random House and NetGalley for the e-arc.

Elfie is a 10-year-old perfectionist (curmudgeon) whose exacting ways alienate her from her peers and her cousin. Elfie is accepted into a prestigious school on a scholarship and believes that she has finally arrived at a place where she will find high achievers like herself and, finally, some friends. She is suspended the first day and returns to her former public school until a committee decides her fate.

As if her life can't get any worse, Elfie's babysitter is diagnosed with cancer and she is forced to spend more time with her cousin who is in her same class. On top of that, the girls are thrown together in a group project for a second time and their conflict ratchets up another notch.

Enter a new teacher whose first assignment is a "Character Study" instead of the usual questions about favorite colors and who is in your family.

There are unexpected nuggets of insight, information, and humor woven throughout the story. The author's writing was engaging and concise.

I will recommend this book to my teacher friends and local librarian as a read aloud. Most of my tutoring students start out as reluctant readers and will love this book!

Kristin Mahoney, you have a new fan.

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Books for Young Readers for lending me an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this book! It was witty and fun, perfect for young teens as well as their families. I think this book would lend itself well to read-alouds for the whole family.

This book was received as an ARC from Random House Children's - Knopf Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book should be in every library and in every school across the country. This book demonstrated major life lessons that every adolescent should know. Everyone has stress about school and how their peers perceive them. As long as you stay true to yourself and own up to your personality and qualities, you will be just fine and you do not have to be perfect. This book was so wonderfully written and executed that I think I will share this book not only with our young community and schools but with my children when they are in elementary school.

We will consider adding this title to our JFiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Fun and funny middle grade book about a more than slightly selfish perfectionist student who struggles to make friends due to her exacting standards. Elfie Oster is convinced the problem is everyone else, not her, and believes she will find more people like her at the prestigious Hampshire Academy. However Elfie's first day is marred by a slightly untrue accusation that results in her suspension, and possible expulsion, from the academy and she is forced to return to her old school. While there she learns to focus less on being right all the time and care more for other people, including her first ever friend and long estranged cousin.