  | Best friends (Real Friends) Author: Hale, Shannon | |
| Price: $19.08 | ||
Summary:
Sixth grade is supposed to be perfect. Shannon's got a sure spot in the in-crowd called The Group, and her best friend is their leader, Jen, the most popular girl in school. But the rules are always changing, and Shannon has to scramble to keep up. She never knows which TV shows are cool, what songs to listen to, and who she's allowed to talk to. Who makes these rules, anyway? And does Shannon have to follow them? In graphic novel format.
| Illustrator: | Pham, LeUyen |
| Sycamore, Hilary |
Video Preview:
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 2.90 Points: 1.0 Quiz: 503712 | Reading Counts Information: Interest Level: 3-5 Reading Level: 3.30 Points: 5.0 Quiz: 77660 | |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (06/15/19)
School Library Journal (09/01/19)
The Hornbook (00/11/19)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 09/01/2019 Gr 4–7—Hale follows up her poignant graphic memoir Real Friends, which depicted the twists and turns of elementary school relationships. This time the author looks back on sixth grade. In 1985, Shannon and her friends were the oldest students and anticipated being queens of the school. They belonged to "The Group," a crew of new and old friends who were cute and popular but whose rules of behavior were capricious and confusing, often leaving Shannon anxious and struggling to make sense of it all and fit in. With each page turn, every character becomes ever more believable and complex, and the situations they experience ring true. The artwork is appealing and animated, with backgrounds that darken and become shadowy when Shannon is feeling isolated and sad. Panels move the action along with crisp lines, fun 1980s references, and well-placed, expressive speech balloons. The frequent fantasy sequences are beautifully color saturated, with lovely, hazy shapes that let readers' imaginations soar right along with Shannon's. An author's note speaks honestly and compassionately about anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. VERDICT A terrific look at middle school culture, and a compelling sequel to a fabulous middle grade graphic memoir. This authentic, important book will mean a great deal to many kids and empower those who are happier following their own inclinations than in going along with the group.—Kelley Gile, Cheshire Public Library, CT - Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
