Noelle

Noelle Lee is one of four Flyy Girls, a circle of high school students in Harlem whose stories are told in a series about friendship, family, and first loves. Noelle's world revolves around three things: her family, her schoolwork, and her cello. She does not worry that others think her selfish or harsh, because she is sure she knows what matters most.

When her father is laid off, Noelle picks up extra shifts at her grandparents' Chinese restaurant. Her friends and her ex-boyfriend are pushed to the side while she supports her household and prepares for her school's autumn showcase. Things grow more tangled when she finds she cannot stop thinking about Tobyn, another member of the group.

With so many demands on her time and attention, Noelle begins to wonder whether working hard makes any difference when her life seems to be unraveling anyway. The novel is written in plain, direct prose and centers on its characters, making the series approachable for readers at many different reading levels.