Next to Mexico — Jennifer Nails

When Lylice found out she was skipping fifth grade, she was excited. Then nervous. Then excited again. Then terrified. On her first day of sixth grade everything bad that could happen did. But when Senora Schwartz assigned her to be Mexico Mendoza's English Buddy, school got a little better. Then a lot better. Then not as better. Then much, much worse.
This is the story of her first quarter at Susan B. Anthony Middle School. And it's the story of how to get away with something that grownups will first not like, then, after they think about it, won't mind. And will actually think was a good idea. Oh, and it's about doing something so stupid because of a boy and worrying that your best friend will ever talk to you again.