Lisa Greenwald

Lisa Greenwald is an American author known for writing middle-grade fiction, particularly books that focus on friendship, family relationships, and coming-of-age themes. She has written multiple successful series including the TBH and Pink & Green books aimed at young readers aged 8-12. As a former elementary school librarian at the Birch Wathen Lenox School in New York City, Greenwald brings firsthand understanding of her target audience to her writing. Her works often explore the social dynamics, emotions, and challenges faced by pre-teen girls navigating school, friendships, and growing up. Several of her books have achieved notable recognition in the middle-grade market, including "My Life in Pink & Green," "TBH, This Is SO Awkward," and "Reel Life Starring Us." Her writing style incorporates contemporary elements like text messages and social media interactions that reflect modern pre-teen communication. Beyond her writing career, Greenwald holds a BA from Northwestern University and an MILS from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She continues to interact with young readers through school visits and literary events while residing in New York City.

Readers consistently note Greenwald's accurate portrayal of tween girl friendships and middle school dynamics. Parents and young readers appreciate her handling of age-appropriate topics like first crushes, social anxiety, and friend group conflicts. Liked: - Authentic text message and social media elements that mirror real pre-teen communication - Relatable characters dealing with realistic middle school situations - Positive messages about friendship and self-confidence - Clean content appropriate for target age group (8-12) Disliked: - Some readers find the text message format hard to follow - Characters can seem one-dimensional or stereotypical - Plot resolutions sometimes feel oversimplified - Recent books receive criticism for repetitive storylines Ratings: Goodreads: Average 4.1/5 across all titles Amazon: 4.3/5 average TBH series: 4.4/5 Pink & Green series: 4.2/5 One parent reviewer noted: "My 10-year-old daughter sees herself in these characters and their everyday middle school struggles." A student reviewer commented: "The group chat format makes it feel like reading my own messages with friends."

My Life in Pink & Green - A 12-year-old helps save her family's struggling pharmacy by starting an eco-friendly makeover salon.

Pink & Green Is the New Black - Lucy faces challenges in managing both her eco-spa and middle school life while helping with her friend's upcoming Bat Mitzvah.

Sweet Treats & Secret Crushes - Three friends stuck in their apartment building during a snowstorm spread messages of friendship through fortune cookies.

Reel Life Starring Us - Two eighth-grade girls navigate popularity and friendship while creating a documentary for a school project.

The Friendship Garden series - A young girl and her friends learn about gardening, friendship, and community through their school garden club.

TBH series - Stories told through text messages following three middle school friends navigating daily life and relationships.

11 Before 12 - Two best friends create a middle school bucket list of eleven things to accomplish before turning twelve.

12 Before 13 - Friends attempt to complete twelve challenges during their seventh-grade year.

Welcome to Dog Beach - A girl spends her summer running a dog-walking business and dealing with friendship changes.

Professionals of Speed Dating - Middle school students organize a fundraiser through speed-friendship matching events.

Wendy Mass writes middle grade novels about friendship, growing up, and self-discovery. Her books focus on relatable tween characters navigating school, family relationships, and finding their place in the world.

Rachel Renée Russell creates diary-format books featuring middle school protagonists dealing with social dynamics and personal challenges. Her stories incorporate humor and illustrations while addressing common preteen experiences.

Lauren Myracle writes contemporary fiction exploring friendship dynamics and coming-of-age themes for young readers. Her books often feature text messages and digital communication as plot elements.

Meg Cabot produces stories about ordinary girls facing extraordinary situations in middle school and high school settings. Her books combine elements of humor, romance, and personal growth.

Victoria Jamieson creates graphic novels centered on female protagonists navigating friendships and identity. Her work features realistic portrayals of middle school social dynamics and family relationships.