Best Friends

Starred review from June 15, 2019
After traveling the rocky road of elementary school friendship in Real Friends (2017), Hale returns with another graphic memoir delving even deeper into preteen tribulations. Now in sixth grade, young Shannon is a member of "the Group," an assortment of popular and pretty girls that most notably includes best friend and group ringleader Jen and unrelenting mean-girl Jenny. However, infighting and treachery proliferate, leaving Shannon feeling frequently off balance as she strives to fit in and suppresses things she enjoys. She captures the dynamic brilliantly: "Sixth grade friendships were like a game... / only as soon as I'd figure out the rules... / they'd change again." In addition to laying bare the back-stabbing and cattiness, Hale also examines her struggles with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive tendencies with openness and honesty. Shannon's story is ultimately empowering, showing the satisfaction she feels following her own path. Hale and illustrator Pham (working with colorist Sycamore) capture the nuances of a typical middle school life, balancing Shannon's public woes with her inner conflicts and adding a fun dose of 1980s nostalgia. Pham's art is evocative in its simplicity; detailed facial expressions add emotional depth and accessibility for even the most reluctant readers. An author's note talks earnestly and age-appropriately about anxiety. Consider this a must-read for fans of Raina Telegmeier or Victoria Jamieson. Hale and her friends are predominately white, although students of color are present throughout. This glimpse into middle school is insightful, introspective, and important. (Graphic memoir. 7-12)

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Starred review from September 1, 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 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2019
In this follow-up to her graphic memoir Real Friends, Hale covers the ups and downs of her sixth-grade year in 1980s Salt Lake City: maintaining her place in the popular group, determining whether she "likes" or "like likes" a boy, figuring out what her so-called friends think she's too old to do. She also begins to explore her burgeoning hope of becoming a writer. Pham's panel illustrations deftly convey the intensity of emotions and delineate between Shannon's lush, dreamy, imaginative world and her sometimes-stark real one.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

November 1, 2019
In this follow-up to her graphic memoir Real Friends (rev. 5/17), Hale straps in to the roller coaster rides, both real and metaphorical, of her sixth-grade year in 1980s Salt Lake City: maintaining her place in "The Group" of popular girls, navigating how much she should "like" or "like like" a boy, figuring out what she's suddenly become too old to do-at least according to her so-called friends. Young Shannon also begins to explore her burgeoning hope of becoming a writer, challenging the societal message that "the most important thing for a girl is to grow up and get married." Hale offers a frank look at the callous and cliquish tendencies of her social circle as well as her struggles with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Pham's panel illustrations deftly convey the intensity and depth of the characters' emotions and delineate between Shannon's lush, dreamy, imaginative world and the sometimes stark space of the real one. A natural suggestion for fans of Cece Bell and Raina Telgemeier, this book offers an honest, empathetic, and encouraging narrative for young readers braving the ups and downs of the tween years. Grace McKinney

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)