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In this, the third installment of Jelly Bean's adventures, Jelly Bean must adjust to several major life changes. For example, her best friend has moved. Additionally, a new school year has begun, and a new classroom necessitates different rules. At the same time, Jelly Bean tries to be a helpful friend to all those around her. She offers advice in an attempt to help them through difficult situations. She tries to understand adult situations, such as divorce. More significantly, after her grandmother remarries and moves away, Jelly Bean must adjust to the situation, as the person she loved and trusted most is now far away, embarking on a new life journey. In other words, Jelly Bean is growing up, and as life moves forward, it is not holding back on taking Jelly Bean for a challenging, eye-opening ride.
Despite the challenges and adjustments Jelly Bean faces, the protagonist once again proves herself as a positive role model for young adult audiences. While she may not always understand the situation at hand, she tries to help in whatever way she can. Notably, when she cannot reason through the answers herself, she reaches out to others. For example, one of the best scenes is when Jelly Bean is upset that her friend, Britney, might be moving to Texas. Jelly Bean contacts Carolee, her dear and sweet aunt, and discusses the situation with her to better understand Britney's circumstances. Carolee is a trusted resource, but, more so, the book's audience sees Jelly Bean's budding maturity, self-awareness, and emotional awareness. For fans of the first two books and even newcomers to the series, this one is not to be missed.
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