Smart Girls Don't Wear Mascara

Abby Smart is planning to have the best Year 6 with her bestfriends, Buzz and Jessie. They’ve just won the Kangaroo Valley Talent Show and initiated the Smart Girls Club—because they will stick together always. She’s also started singing lessons with Francesca as, one day, Abby will be a musical theatre performer. Everything is perfect. That is until cool new girl, Stella, shows up at Kangaroo Valley Public School. She likes makeup and pop music and doesn’t like Abby.

Suddenly, Abby feels left behind when her friends no longer do what she wants; they’re too busy following Stella. Abby is forced to make a decision between being true to herself or following Stella’s rules.

Everything comes to a head when Stella pretends to faint during Abby’s performance at the choral fest. Abby accuses her of stealing Buzz and Jessie, and being fake. Instead of her friends backing

her up, Abby finds herself alone and without the Smart Girls. It’s at this time, Abby realises that sometimes your friends grow and change, and maybe it is okay to go separate paths.

As high school approaches, Abby reconnects with an old family friend, Beth, who has similar interests. Abby realises that being herself is the most important thing of all. A relatable book with a powerful message for young girls.

family, friendship, bullying, school life, individuality, staying true to oneself

1. Language: idiot x 2, stupid x 22, dumb x 4. 2. Consistent, nongraphic scenes featuring passive bullying, e.g. Abby calls Elizabeth ‘Boring Beth’ (p91), verbal fight at school (p157), antagonising note from Stella (p192).