Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham

Pages: 321

Intended Audience: Tweens and up

Genre: Graphic novel; memoir

Notes for Parents: Contains some mature scenes.

The Back Cover

When best friends are not forever.

Shannon and Adrienne have been best friends ever since they were little. But on day, Adrienne starts hanging out with Jen, the most popular girl in class and the leader of a circle of friends called The Group. Everyone in it wants to be Jen’s #1, and some girls would do anything to stay on top…even if it means bullying the others.

Now every day is like a roller coaster for Shannon. Will she and Adrienne stay friends? Can she stand up for herself? And is she in The Group—or out?

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

There’s a follow-up novel called Best Friends that comes out in August 2019.

What’s good?

By its own description, this is the “true story about how hard it is to find your real friends—and why it’s worth the journey.” The illustrations are colourful, bold, and full of expression. The story itself is simple yet still fraught with the complexities that plague childhood friendships. There’s a beautiful element of religion that’s skillfully included and plenty of positive messages about the fragility and importance (to offset the cruelty) of friendship and sibling relationships.

Best Part: Jesus.

What isn’t good?

It seems a shame to pay $15 for something that can be read in 30 minutes.

Worst part: None. 

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺ (4/5)

This is a sweet story of one girl’s experiences trying to make friends in primary school. It’s nicely written and well-illustrated. It’s a quick read and anyone who’s had friendship troubles will be able to relate to this story.

Hale, Shannon and LeUyen Pham. Real Friends. New York: Scholastic, 2017.