The Besties Series in Order

About the Besties series

Series Premise

The core premise centers on pairs of best friends navigating everyday middle-school challenges, mishaps, and triumphs with creativity, teamwork, and heart. Each installment spotlights a different duo (or group) from the Click ensemble, tackling a specific goal or conflict that tests their bond while highlighting themes of responsibility, individuality, forgiveness, and fun. Recurring elements include school events, family support, minor conflicts resolved through communication, and celebrations of diverse identities and interests. The stories emphasize that besties grow stronger by facing obstacles together, learning from mistakes, and embracing individuality.

Main Characters

The series rotates protagonists across books, with recurring faces from the *Click* world:

- Beth and Chanda (featured in Work It Out, Find Their Groove, Set Sail): Stylish, ambitious best friends. Beth is enthusiastic and caring (often thinking of her mom), while Chanda is confident and creative, sometimes seeking validation. They're entrepreneurial, fashion-forward, and loyal, learning to balance dreams with responsibility.
- Trent and Sawyer (featured in Prank War): Energetic, skateboard-loving boys who thrive on fun and mischief. Their prank antics highlight creativity and consequences, showing how humor strengthens bonds when handled maturely.
- Supporting/Recurring cast: Includes Olive (from the main Click series) in cameos, other classmates, family members (supportive parents, siblings), teachers, and event-specific characters (cruise passengers, prank victims). The ensemble feels interconnected—friends overlap, reinforcing community.

Illustrations by Kristina Luu (and others) bring personalities to life with distinct styles, expressions, and outfits that reflect individuality.

Setting

The primary setting is a contemporary, suburban American middle school and its surrounding community—think bustling hallways, lockers, classrooms, after-school hangouts, local parks, neighborhoods, and occasional special spots like luxurious houses, cruise ships, or event venues. The world feels lived-in and familiar: school dances with twinkling lights, summer vibes on a boat, skate parks, or everyday streets for lemonade stands and odd jobs. Time is present-day, with modern touches like cell phones, social media hints, and casual fashion. The aesthetic is bright and inviting—clean lines, expressive character designs, and pops of color that make every page engaging. While tied to the *Click* school's continuity, each book expands slightly (e.g., a cruise for variety), keeping the cozy, relatable middle-school bubble central.

Tone & Themes

The tone is upbeat, wholesome, and empowering—classic feel-good middle-grade graphic novel fare with humor, warmth, and gentle lessons. Conflicts arise from relatable preteen issues (money woes, social pressures, sibling-like squabbles, prank fallout) but resolve positively without heavy drama or meanness. Miller and collaborators infuse light comedy through exaggerated mishaps, expressive faces, and witty dialogue, while illustrations add playful energy (vibrant colors, dynamic panels, fashion details). There's inclusivity in representation (diverse ethnicities, body types, interests) and a supportive vibe—no villains, just growing pains. It's encouraging and optimistic, ideal for young readers exploring independence, empathy, and the joy of close friendships.

Kayla Miller's Besties series captures the sparkle and sincerity of middle-school friendships through charming, colorful graphic novels that celebrate creativity, teamwork, and personal growth. By spotlighting different pairs in relatable adventures—from entrepreneurial hustles and dance prep to prank chaos and cruise escapades—the books deliver quick, uplifting reads that resonate with young readers navigating their own social worlds. Part of the beloved World of Click universe, these stories offer standalone enjoyment while enriching the larger tapestry of school life, diversity, and kindness. Perfect for fans of heartfelt graphic novels, the series reminds us that besties aren't just about fun—they're about showing up, messing up, and making it right together. With its positive messages, engaging art, and gentle humor, *Besties* continues to charm as an accessible, empowering addition to middle-grade shelves.