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Overview
Friends are one of the greatest gifts of all, right? What about when a good friend completely ditches you? Or moves away? Or suddenly seems to forget you when she becomes totally wrapped up in herself-or something else? Friendships can be tricky, but they're also an excellent way to learn about yourself and to become a better, stronger person. As you figure out who you are, you'll also figure out who your true friends are. Remember, being true to yourself is a great way to weed through "frenemies."
Synopsis
Friends are one of the greatest gifts of all, right? What about when a good friend completely ditches you? Or moves away? Or suddenly seems to forget you when she becomes totally wrapped up in herself-or something else? Friendships can be tricky, but they're also an excellent way to learn about yourself and to become a better, stronger person. As you figure out who you are, you'll also figure out who your true friends are. Remember, being true to yourself is a great way to weed through "frenemies."
Children's Literature
Carly and her friend Simone started seventh grade together even though both had moved over the summer. Drawn to each other because of the familiarity, they became fast friends. However, soon Carly begins to meet other students through the swim team and choir that she joins. Simone does not like sports or music but she soon meets a group of girls that share a dislike for school in general and Simone begins to be friends with these girls. Carly and Simone still do some things together but their friendship just is not the same as it was before. Lulu and Sean are best friends even though they are often teased about being more than just friends. Lulu is completely comfortable with Sean, and Sean feels they could talk about anything. However, when what Sean needs to talk about is how much he likes Melanie, his lab partner, that does not feel right. Suddenly Lulu is unhappy and confused about her feelings for Sean. Perhaps she really does want him to be more than just a friend. Zoe and Sarah have been friends since sixth grade. They are so often at each other's house that each is often thought of as another member of the family. When Zoe's mother loses her job and finances force them to make changes in the household, Zoe's parents begin to push her away from Sarah. It seems that they resent Sarah's family for not having the same financial struggles that they are having. The road from being a teenager to becoming an adult is fraught with landmines, some about your peers, some about outside influences, and some about your family. Learning to deal with these problems in a mature way is what helps you to grow. Author Owens has brought the opinions of Dr. Robyn Silverman to these areas in order to help teenagers find their own way. Dr. Silverman's greatest success has been in the area of working with young people, to help them identify and achieve their dreams. The format presents a problem, followed by a case study and questions for the reader, allowing the reader to consider possible options and alternatives. An index, a glossary, and suggested readings make this a worthy read for middle school students and a worthwhile purchase for adults working with this age group. Reviewer: Joyce Rice