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Friends #3
Friends Forever
Following up their mega-bestselling Real Friends and Best Friends graphic memoirs, Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham are back with Friends Forever, a story about learning to love yourself exactly as you are.
Shannon is in eighth grade, and life is more complicated than ever. Everything keeps changing. Her classmates are starting to date each other (but nobody wants to date her!), and no matter how hard she tries, Shannon can never seem to just be happy.
As she works through her insecurities and undiagnosed depression, she worries about disappointing all the people who care about her. Is something wrong with her? Can she be the person everyone expects her to be? And who does she actually want to be?
With their signature humor, warmth, and insight, Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham have crafted another love letter to their younger selves and to readers everywhere, a reminder to us all that we are enough.
Shannon is in eighth grade, and life is more complicated than ever. Everything keeps changing. Her classmates are starting to date each other (but nobody wants to date her!), and no matter how hard she tries, Shannon can never seem to just be happy.
As she works through her insecurities and undiagnosed depression, she worries about disappointing all the people who care about her. Is something wrong with her? Can she be the person everyone expects her to be? And who does she actually want to be?
With their signature humor, warmth, and insight, Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham have crafted another love letter to their younger selves and to readers everywhere, a reminder to us all that we are enough.
304 pages, ebook
First published August 31, 2021
About the author
Shannon Hale
117 books13.7k followersShannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of six young adult novels: the Newbery Honor book Princess Academy, multiple award winner Book of a Thousand Days, and the highly acclaimed Books of Bayern series. She has written three books for adults, including the upcoming Midnight in Austenland (Jan. 2012), companion book to Austenland. She co-wrote the hit graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge and its sequel Calamity Jack with husband Dean Hale. They live near Salt Lake City, Utah with their four small children, and their pet, a small, plastic pig.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 588 reviews
May 18, 2022
***SPOILERS HIDDEN***
Shannon Hale's friend drama continues in Friends Forever, the third graphic novel in her autobiographical "Friends" series. She’s now in eighth grade and enjoying being in the oldest grade at her middle school. As a member of the drama club, she’s also finally found a caring group of friends. But this is all surface stuff. Inside, Hale feels depressed and anxious and doesn't know why.
I felt about Friends Forever much like I felt about book two in this series: that it's intensely focused on pain and angst. Although this isn't uncommon for a story taking place during middle school, Hale has a way of depicting her experiences as uniquely miserable and horrendous. In eighth grade, most of her misery stems from observing her peers’ obsession with romantic relationships and appearance and feeling unsure about her own feelings and status. It's not pretty, especially because Hale had low self-esteem and watched everyone around her pair up while she got ignored and occasionally mocked.
Life at home didn’t help soften what happened at school. Hale's parents are portrayed as physically present but emotionally absent, and when she expresses any sadness, her family makes it clear that they believe sensitivity is a choice. As a result, she doesn't feel her parents or siblings love her, and she's needy in her friendships.
I didn't love this latest installment in the series. Hale's early teen years are interesting, but she stuffs in way too much, and, as is the case with book two, she’s simply unable to organize her stories so they unfold in a smooth, logical way. Friends Forever has a manic quality as Hale arbitrarily tossed in numerous little story threads only to end them abruptly and move on. One of the worst offenders is a tiny part in which
What is good about Friends Forever is its commentary--mostly implied--about the superficiality of young romance and about sexism and gender-essentialist views of women and girls. Early on, she astutely observes that "It seemed like girls were expected to be pretty...but it was shameful to actually try to be pretty." Hale's father talks about how she'll need to "marry rich" someday since she has what he regards as expensive taste, and Hale's automatic internal response is to bristle at his sexism and question why she couldn't support herself. Later, Hale and a male student participate in a school debate wherein she argues in favor of women's rights; the boy counters with all the expected arrogant sexism Book two touched on some of these things too, but book three delves a little deeper. What's upsetting to see is how Hale got so few “wins” as a kid. It's only many years later, as a successful author, that she's gotten the last laugh.
Hale concluded on a happier note, showing her eighth-grade self finally realizing that she's valuable as she is. This looks like an a-ha moment, but it’s not that momentous; it actually comes after an especially warm and fuzzy time with her drama-club friends and an understanding, while watching home movies with her parents, that they do, in fact, love her. I appreciated Hale's conversational afterword. In it, she elaborates on some of the story and makes clear, unequivocal statements to her young audience, such as advising them to be sure to tell a trusted adult if they're ever sexually assaulted. This is vague in the story itself.
Any young readers who relate to Hale's struggle will find Friends Forever affirming but maybe not helpful. This feels like a story Hale wrote more for personal catharsis than to empower kids going through what she went through. She’s clearly a compassionate, highly sensitive person, and kids may feel less alone after reading this--if they can see beyond the despair casting such a wide shadow on her account--but there’s no actual lesson. At the very least it's beneficial for young readers to see that Hale’s early sadness didn’t harden her and that she went on to become as successful as she has.
Shannon Hale's friend drama continues in Friends Forever, the third graphic novel in her autobiographical "Friends" series. She’s now in eighth grade and enjoying being in the oldest grade at her middle school. As a member of the drama club, she’s also finally found a caring group of friends. But this is all surface stuff. Inside, Hale feels depressed and anxious and doesn't know why.
I felt about Friends Forever much like I felt about book two in this series: that it's intensely focused on pain and angst. Although this isn't uncommon for a story taking place during middle school, Hale has a way of depicting her experiences as uniquely miserable and horrendous. In eighth grade, most of her misery stems from observing her peers’ obsession with romantic relationships and appearance and feeling unsure about her own feelings and status. It's not pretty, especially because Hale had low self-esteem and watched everyone around her pair up while she got ignored and occasionally mocked.
Life at home didn’t help soften what happened at school. Hale's parents are portrayed as physically present but emotionally absent, and when she expresses any sadness, her family makes it clear that they believe sensitivity is a choice. As a result, she doesn't feel her parents or siblings love her, and she's needy in her friendships.
I didn't love this latest installment in the series. Hale's early teen years are interesting, but she stuffs in way too much, and, as is the case with book two, she’s simply unable to organize her stories so they unfold in a smooth, logical way. Friends Forever has a manic quality as Hale arbitrarily tossed in numerous little story threads only to end them abruptly and move on. One of the worst offenders is a tiny part in which
What is good about Friends Forever is its commentary--mostly implied--about the superficiality of young romance and about sexism and gender-essentialist views of women and girls. Early on, she astutely observes that "It seemed like girls were expected to be pretty...but it was shameful to actually try to be pretty." Hale's father talks about how she'll need to "marry rich" someday since she has what he regards as expensive taste, and Hale's automatic internal response is to bristle at his sexism and question why she couldn't support herself. Later, Hale and a male student participate in a school debate wherein she argues in favor of women's rights; the boy counters with all the expected arrogant sexism Book two touched on some of these things too, but book three delves a little deeper. What's upsetting to see is how Hale got so few “wins” as a kid. It's only many years later, as a successful author, that she's gotten the last laugh.
Hale concluded on a happier note, showing her eighth-grade self finally realizing that she's valuable as she is. This looks like an a-ha moment, but it’s not that momentous; it actually comes after an especially warm and fuzzy time with her drama-club friends and an understanding, while watching home movies with her parents, that they do, in fact, love her. I appreciated Hale's conversational afterword. In it, she elaborates on some of the story and makes clear, unequivocal statements to her young audience, such as advising them to be sure to tell a trusted adult if they're ever sexually assaulted. This is vague in the story itself.
Any young readers who relate to Hale's struggle will find Friends Forever affirming but maybe not helpful. This feels like a story Hale wrote more for personal catharsis than to empower kids going through what she went through. She’s clearly a compassionate, highly sensitive person, and kids may feel less alone after reading this--if they can see beyond the despair casting such a wide shadow on her account--but there’s no actual lesson. At the very least it's beneficial for young readers to see that Hale’s early sadness didn’t harden her and that she went on to become as successful as she has.
August 21, 2021
Young Shannon is starting her 8th grade year, certain she will have more confidence than she did in 7th grade and in her first year of Middle School. As we all know, hopes do not always translate into reality. I love the panels LeUyen Pham uses to illustrate Shannon's daydreams. They have a fairy tale quality and are clearly in contrast with real life -- which can sometimes be a disappointment in comparison. The notes she and her friend passed back and forth are reproductions of actual notes saved from middle school and without fail include a reminder to W/B (write back). Shannon honestly shares her struggles to be all that she wants to be. Her faith life sometimes makes it harder, yet her church life is also a source of hope. After all, it is her Creator who made her to be of such great value. I know young readers will be able to relate to Shannon's inner struggles even though they were in a different time. The author's note at the end is an extra reinforcement for readers who need hope in the midst of their teen years. I wish I had been able to read this book when I was her age.
A big thank you to First Second books and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
A big thank you to First Second books and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2021
The combination of Shannon's honesty and LeUyen's phenomenal illustrations makes for a very powerful book. Thirteen is a tough age, and add an undiagnosed anxiety disorder to that . . . woof. This book made me want to cry, both for Little Shannon, and for Little Jessica, who used to (and sometimes still does) feel like this. Her description of having big emotions and wanting to hide them because she was sure that people would make fun her for having them, that especially was something I think most teens can relate to, and many adults.
August 30, 2021
A fantastic read, another installment with good humor and real life crisis. Excellent illustrations! I can imagine it’s hard to make individual faces, hair, body image and clothes for so many characters. Love the glimpse into the illustrations process at the end of the book! Love seeing the publicity team’s eighth grade photos! Thanks for sharing! I like how this book influenced my son in a good way. Shannon was a straight A’s student who strived to win and be the best student. She wanted to make her parents proud but at the same time she wanted to do something and be somebody instead of thinking herself as a homemaker, a job most men think women should settle.
This book followed Shannon starting eighth grade. In seventh grade she made some friends, boys and girls so she continued the friendship in eighth grade. Even though she has friends, she still felt like she’s not good enough. She wanted to be beautiful, famous, successful, liked by boys, etc. She begged her mom to take her to a salon for a new hairstyle just to feel beautiful as her friends. Her friends all coupled up with boys except her. She worried if something was wrong with her when she had no boyfriend while her friends had many. She had a lot of emotions and constantly worrying that she’s not good enough. This worry spiraling downhill and made her depressed. Eventually she figured out a way to feel better and out of the depression hole.
Friends Forever was very well written and illustrated. It brought back a lot of memories for me. I felt exactly like Shannon with the boyfriend situation and the not beautiful. I do love those notes I passed back and forth with my friends too. There’s a book I read on this topic called Folded Notes from High School. This friends series is an awesome idea. A must read for kids everywhere. I liked how Shannon reached out to make friends and in the drama team despite how she usually doesn’t like the spotlight. An example is her runny nose in math class. She avoided at all costs to get up in front of the class to get a tissue off a teacher’s desk but she able to perform on stage. I like the issues of feeling not good enough vs feeling just enough. Reminding kids to love themselves and who they are is so important and I’m glad my son got the teaching from reading this book! I highly recommend everyone to read this series!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
Many thanks to MacKidsBooks for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
This book followed Shannon starting eighth grade. In seventh grade she made some friends, boys and girls so she continued the friendship in eighth grade. Even though she has friends, she still felt like she’s not good enough. She wanted to be beautiful, famous, successful, liked by boys, etc. She begged her mom to take her to a salon for a new hairstyle just to feel beautiful as her friends. Her friends all coupled up with boys except her. She worried if something was wrong with her when she had no boyfriend while her friends had many. She had a lot of emotions and constantly worrying that she’s not good enough. This worry spiraling downhill and made her depressed. Eventually she figured out a way to feel better and out of the depression hole.
Friends Forever was very well written and illustrated. It brought back a lot of memories for me. I felt exactly like Shannon with the boyfriend situation and the not beautiful. I do love those notes I passed back and forth with my friends too. There’s a book I read on this topic called Folded Notes from High School. This friends series is an awesome idea. A must read for kids everywhere. I liked how Shannon reached out to make friends and in the drama team despite how she usually doesn’t like the spotlight. An example is her runny nose in math class. She avoided at all costs to get up in front of the class to get a tissue off a teacher’s desk but she able to perform on stage. I like the issues of feeling not good enough vs feeling just enough. Reminding kids to love themselves and who they are is so important and I’m glad my son got the teaching from reading this book! I highly recommend everyone to read this series!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
Many thanks to MacKidsBooks for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
September 3, 2024
first of all, the fact that these books are still coming out is crazy.
second of all, Shannon is definitely relatable and I know and recognize some of the struggles she goes through, but i kept waiting for her explanation or her way of coping or a solution or ANYTHING, but she just locks up her problems, cries and moves on, so yeah... theres not much of a moral... and when you think something is happening it just... disappears
Literally the best part of the book was
1. Andrei (who she "left" for half of the book) and
2. the last page of the acknowledgements...
so yeah that gives you a bit of an idea...
second of all, Shannon is definitely relatable and I know and recognize some of the struggles she goes through, but i kept waiting for her explanation or her way of coping or a solution or ANYTHING, but she just locks up her problems, cries and moves on, so yeah... theres not much of a moral... and when you think something is happening it just... disappears
Literally the best part of the book was
1. Andrei (who she "left" for half of the book) and
2. the last page of the acknowledgements...
so yeah that gives you a bit of an idea...
September 13, 2021
This Graphic Novel Series for Middle Grade is fantastic. My daughter is 3... and I already want to own a copy for her to read when she is around this age group. So real and relatable to that time in my life. Love the artwork also!
April 28, 2023
Cried again bc as it turns out, Shannon Hale lived my entire life before I did
November 1, 2021
A little too real 😭😭😭 Shannon's anxiety and depression and feelings of worthlessness made me cry. Very accurate to how I have felt and do feel.
September 9, 2022
This is the highest rating I've given any of the books. And the only reason it's so high is because I can relate to Shannon more in this book than I could in any of the other ones. We learn . I liked that at the end it tells everyone
"I AM ENOUGH"
because, you are enough! I felt like the whole series was pushing the "if your beautiful your loved. If your smart your loved." and other messages like that, which I disagreed with. But this book wrapped it up and told everyone YOU ARE ENOUGH!
![Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1645808644i/7494844._UX200_CR0,6,200,200_.jpg)
August 1, 2022
A cute and heart-filled graphic memoir about growing up in Utah in 1987. Basically, all about c-c-changes. Boys. Breakups. Reputations. Dreams. Managing emotions. And mental health.
May 6, 2022
Jestem Sara, często nie rozumiem, jak muszę postępować, żeby być lubianą. Czasami robię pewne rzeczy wbrew sobie, aby zdobyć przyjaciółki lub je przy sobie utrzymać. Chyba jednak nie zawsze rozumiem zasady, jakie obowiązują w relacjach. Koleżanki podpuszczają mnie, sprawdzają, wytykają wszystkie błędy... Boję się, bo nigdy nie wiem, czy moje słowa lub czyny zostaną odpowiednio odebrane. Robię wszystko, aby wiedzieć, co jest teraz modne i dobrze widziane... Ale i tak czuję się brzydka, głupia i niewarta bycia popularną. Marzę o byciu pisarką, ale na pewno mi się to nie uda. W domu też mnie nie rozumieją. Jestem średnim, niezauważanym dzieckiem, które ma być tylko grzeczne i posłuszne. Jestem beznadziejna, często boli mnie brzuch z nerwów, nie nadaję się do niczego. Czuję się samotna wśród ludzi.
***
Z Sarą utożsami się każda osoba w wieku podstawówkowym - jej rozterki ewoluują wraz z wiekiem. Każdy, nawet młody człowiek, boryka się z problemami i cudowne jest to, iż te komiksy pokazują, że wszystko mija, a po burzy zawsze wychodzi słońce. Trzeba tylko mieć przy sobie PRAWDZIWYCH przyjaciół, dla jakich nie musimy się zmieniać, a także zaakceptować siebie, bo jesteśmy wspaniali.
Jestem zachwycona tą serią - prosta, miejscami zabawna, a w innych momentach poruszająca. Żałuję, że takich cudeniek nie było, gdy byłam w podstawówce i cieszę się, iż będą mogły poznać je moje dzieci. Lektura obowiązkowa, zwłaszcza, że porusza temat nerwicy i depresji dziecięcej!
"Przyjaźń (...) była jak planszówka, ale jak zaczynałam łapać zasady - one się zmieniały. "
***
Z Sarą utożsami się każda osoba w wieku podstawówkowym - jej rozterki ewoluują wraz z wiekiem. Każdy, nawet młody człowiek, boryka się z problemami i cudowne jest to, iż te komiksy pokazują, że wszystko mija, a po burzy zawsze wychodzi słońce. Trzeba tylko mieć przy sobie PRAWDZIWYCH przyjaciół, dla jakich nie musimy się zmieniać, a także zaakceptować siebie, bo jesteśmy wspaniali.
Jestem zachwycona tą serią - prosta, miejscami zabawna, a w innych momentach poruszająca. Żałuję, że takich cudeniek nie było, gdy byłam w podstawówce i cieszę się, iż będą mogły poznać je moje dzieci. Lektura obowiązkowa, zwłaszcza, że porusza temat nerwicy i depresji dziecięcej!
"Przyjaźń (...) była jak planszówka, ale jak zaczynałam łapać zasady - one się zmieniały. "
February 19, 2022
Hale has created another engaging and relatable comic memoir. The trials and joys of the author's eighth grade year are followed with detail and compassion. FRIENDS FOREVER is set in the late 1980s, but it is no nostalgia piece. It remains universal enough to be a voice of understanding and support for today's young readers, all the while remaining relatable to the memories of us old fogeys. Hale also provides a voice of wisdom, looking back upon certain incidents where she had remained silent and wished she had not.
January 17, 2022
I get it’s an autobiography of sorts… but wow. Awful family, awful friends, righteous martyr complex and of course… the cure for depression is just telling yourself you’re loved and good enough and bang! It disappears. I would not recommend this to any impressionable young person.
September 23, 2021
I really love this series! Young Shannon is so relatable and is a great role model for kids.
Popsugar Challenge 2021 - A book you think your best friend would like (2 of my daughters devoured it in hours)
Popsugar Challenge 2021 - A book you think your best friend would like (2 of my daughters devoured it in hours)
October 14, 2021
In the third installment of the semi-autobiographical graphic novel "Friends" series by Shannon Hale, Shannon is juggling friends, families, and feelings about boys.
While I skipped out on the second installment, this third one (set in the 8th grade) takes a much more mature leap. There's boys, making out, alcohol, and even sexual harassment. I understand that 1. this took place in '87, when adults were more lenient and dismissive about many pre-teen issues and 2. that this is a middle grade graphic novel and therefore more geared towards middle school aged children. But the way in which several issues were addressed just rubbed me the wrong way. The telling the humiliating stories of the honored students of the month was terrible. What adult would ever think that's a good idea? And then a girl getting in trouble for BEING pantsed? Instead of the boys pulling her pants down being, I don't know, expelled maybe? Not to mention the sexual harassment of a couple of thirteen year old girls by a mall Santa!!! These were just a handful of the issues that were very glossed over and not necessarily broached as well as they could have been. I appreciated the self-love reminders and Shannon standing up for women's rights, but this was a somewhat uncomfortable/confusing read if trying to put myself in the shoes of some of the 4th and 5th graders in my school that would pick this up...
While I skipped out on the second installment, this third one (set in the 8th grade) takes a much more mature leap. There's boys, making out, alcohol, and even sexual harassment. I understand that 1. this took place in '87, when adults were more lenient and dismissive about many pre-teen issues and 2. that this is a middle grade graphic novel and therefore more geared towards middle school aged children. But the way in which several issues were addressed just rubbed me the wrong way. The telling the humiliating stories of the honored students of the month was terrible. What adult would ever think that's a good idea? And then a girl getting in trouble for BEING pantsed? Instead of the boys pulling her pants down being, I don't know, expelled maybe? Not to mention the sexual harassment of a couple of thirteen year old girls by a mall Santa!!! These were just a handful of the issues that were very glossed over and not necessarily broached as well as they could have been. I appreciated the self-love reminders and Shannon standing up for women's rights, but this was a somewhat uncomfortable/confusing read if trying to put myself in the shoes of some of the 4th and 5th graders in my school that would pick this up...
December 26, 2021
I was only able to download 16 pages from NetGalley, but this looks like it will be just as good as all of Shannon Hale's other books. Shannon is becoming increasingly obsessed with how she looks. She wants to be as beautiful as her friend. They discuss school pictures, and Shannon gets contacts. #NetGalley
Update 12/25/2021 - I was finally able to get my hands on the full print book. It was as good as the first 16 pages made it seem. Shannon becomes increasingly worried if her friends really like her or not. She battles with depression and anxiety, but eventually overcomes it.
Update 12/25/2021 - I was finally able to get my hands on the full print book. It was as good as the first 16 pages made it seem. Shannon becomes increasingly worried if her friends really like her or not. She battles with depression and anxiety, but eventually overcomes it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2021
Elsker denne serien. Den er så sår og fin og realistisk!
August 10, 2023
Another great book that jr high age kids should read. It was so relatable and took on mental issues of anxiety, depression and perfectionism. Navigating those years were tricky, especially friendships. I feel like everyone says they would never want to relive their jr high years.
October 30, 2021
Read this series with my daughter and it opened up some fantastic conversations about friendship, growing up, anxiety, bullying, kindness, being yourself—just so honestly written that it made the perfect, engaging jumping off point for these talks.
July 20, 2021
This was one of the best comics I have ever read!
As a huge fan of Shannon Hale's book I was elated when my request was approved on NetGalley, this book follows Shannon through her 8th grade as she faces ups and downs and tries to sort a huge mess called life.
A humorous, relatable and inspiring read!!
Thank you Netgalley and First Second books for a copy :D
As a huge fan of Shannon Hale's book I was elated when my request was approved on NetGalley, this book follows Shannon through her 8th grade as she faces ups and downs and tries to sort a huge mess called life.
A humorous, relatable and inspiring read!!
Thank you Netgalley and First Second books for a copy :D
September 23, 2021
This was fantastically done. I related to the main character, Shannon, in so many ways I could have been her in middle school and beyond. Dealing with undiagnosed anxiety and depression is frightening and confusing. I wish I had had a book like this to read when Middle School changes hit.
September 14, 2021
Every 12, 13 and 14 year-old girl should read this perfect graphic novel/memoir. And, every adult woman should read it, too, to remember exactly how painfully awkward we were in 8th grade. All of the stupid, insensitive, self-absorbed things I might've said to people, not getting a part in the school play, running for class president, my goofiest looking school picture EVER (I would attach a photo to this review, if I could. Wait. Maybe not.) and finally being old enough for contact lenses (after picture day) . . . it's all here. Shannon's story is painfully personal and universal at the same time. She tells a brave and important story about the mixed messages girls get at the most confusing time in their lives and how we put on a happy face because we're too scared not to. "Am I good enough? Am I too smart? Does that boy think I'm cute? Yikes! That boy thinks I'm cute." This should be required reading for everyone--girls, boys, women and men. The back matter adds important information, too, about getting help when we need it and being honest about how we feel, even when we just feel bad. Thanks, Shannon and LeUyen. You two are so cute together--I hope you're best friends 4ever! H.A.G.S. Kirsten
December 31, 2021
Fantastic. I loved it. Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham are a great team. The writing and the art both work together very well and feel very intimate, making you really feel as if you're in the story. Reading this, I felt as if I were a 13 year old girl navigating friendships and middle school in 1980s Utah. This entire series has been amazing and you should definitely read it.
June 1, 2022
What a great book for middle grade readers. Even though I am much older, I do teach middle school and this book hit close to home many times. The title is a bit misleading...it does deal with friendships but it deals more with inner feelings of success, beauty, and failure. At this age, do we ever feel like we are enough? Are we smart enough, popular enough, pretty enough? I definitely went through this when I was this age and I know that many of my students are too. At one point in the book, the main character says "No matter how hard I worked, it never felt like enough." This unfortunately feels so true! So many adolescents and teens feel this way especially during the tough times in our world today. I think this book sheds light on these difficulties and questions while not putting the reader down in any way. You are enough but sometimes it is important to say that to yourself more than to hear it from others. A definite read for all middle grade students!
January 20, 2022
I'm revamping my graphic memoir unit at school, so you'll see a few graphic text reviews coming from me soon, probably in rather quick succession because they're so easy to read! I mean that in the best way possible - I think graphic texts are such a wonderful way for students to gain exposure to different genres. On the latter point, I am speaking specifically to memoir, as I have seen students captivated in reading personal stories captured through illustrations. For whatever reason, it has a way of making interior worlds come alive, and that's really important for young people to witness. It acts as motivation in bringing their own stories to life. I have not read the first two installments of the Friends series, but I loved this third part. Teaching eighth graders, I really could relate to Shannon's difficulties, not only her social anxiety but the immense pressure she heaped on herself. The mental health piece was refreshing and pertinent, and the fact that the story is set in the '80s makes her depression all the more difficult to read because it was so misunderstood and easily dismissed at the time. Definitely a good candidate to make the short list!
September 20, 2021
Hale and Pham are creating an incredible series about what it's like to grow up middle-class and female in the United States. This volume sees Shannon in eighth grade. She has many friends, but she struggles with self-image and with sexism within her family and community. I've never seen such an accurate depiction of intrusive thoughts. By trying to stop being "so sensitive," she temporarily shuts down all her feelings and ends up a ball of rage and despair. In addition to these serious issues, there are smaller-scale, slice-of-life issues with friendships. There's a boy who claims to be in love with another girl but hangs around Shannon all the time and writes notes to her (Shannon) constantly. I thought he might eventually realize how great she is . . . but then she points out that he repeatedly misspells her name. Yup, not gonna happen. Though I hold out hope for Volume 4! He's not a disaster, he's just tactless!
September 15, 2021
This is the third in the series of Shannon's memoir graphic novels about her teenage hood, and she is even more anxious than ever.
Shannon feels she has to please everyone, get perfect grades, and do what everyone wants. But she doesn't get to do the things she wants to do. She doesn't want to rebel, but something is going to crack.
Written with the help of her journal at the time, as well as notes she kept from her friends for 30 years, she gives a very complete story of the hell that is middle school, with the rivalries, and cute girls and mean girls. The whole nine yards.
I didn't enjoy it quite so much as the first to books, as she was ruminating on her feelings a whole lot more, but that isn't to say the book was bad. It had some very good parts, as well.
Shannon feels she has to please everyone, get perfect grades, and do what everyone wants. But she doesn't get to do the things she wants to do. She doesn't want to rebel, but something is going to crack.
Written with the help of her journal at the time, as well as notes she kept from her friends for 30 years, she gives a very complete story of the hell that is middle school, with the rivalries, and cute girls and mean girls. The whole nine yards.
I didn't enjoy it quite so much as the first to books, as she was ruminating on her feelings a whole lot more, but that isn't to say the book was bad. It had some very good parts, as well.
November 10, 2021
A strong ending to the most accurate books about middle-school aged years I have ever read. This one divides up its story arcs in a way that left all of them feeling slightly underbaked, but like the others it takes on its own share of big issues. It's notable how different Shannon's problems are in this book than the first, it really understands these tricky years.
Taking on self-image, confidence, talent, and all her friends' new interest in boys, this also continues to weave in coping with Anxiety in the middle of it all.
This was the first book I've ever pre-ordered. Both my kids (12 and 9) have reread the first two books of this series several times and I'm so glad they have it.
Taking on self-image, confidence, talent, and all her friends' new interest in boys, this also continues to weave in coping with Anxiety in the middle of it all.
This was the first book I've ever pre-ordered. Both my kids (12 and 9) have reread the first two books of this series several times and I'm so glad they have it.
May 22, 2023
Such a thoughtful introspective book that hits on all the right notes for middle school worries
Get this for your worried tweeager dealing with middle school woes. Its a hugs bound in book form. And to any adults thinking they should read it - yes, do, it’s great read for any adult looking to hug their wounded inner child.
Get this for your worried tweeager dealing with middle school woes. Its a hugs bound in book form. And to any adults thinking they should read it - yes, do, it’s great read for any adult looking to hug their wounded inner child.
September 14, 2021
Wow. I just took a trip back to eighth grade in 1987-88 and it's not pretty.
Shannon Hale captures how hard middle school can be when you're still trying to figure out so much - who you are, what life is, and how everything fits together.
Shannon Hale captures how hard middle school can be when you're still trying to figure out so much - who you are, what life is, and how everything fits together.
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