Real Friends is an amazing memoir! Having grown up only a few years after author, Shannon Hale, and being one of the million Jenny’s she refers to, this book really resonates with me. She describes the struggle to fit in and make (and keep) friends so well. Half the time you’re saying things that aren’t cool but you have no idea why. It feels as though you’ll never act quite right and will certainly never fit in. Throw in the mean girls and this story will likely stir up some feelings in nearly everyone.

When Shannon was growing up and possibly dealing with anxiety and OCD, they weren’t really things that were as well-known and diagnosed as they are today. I can’t imagine having to deal with that at a time when it was difficult to get help and it’s great that she included that part in her story to show others who might be feeling similar that they’re not alone and that maybe they can get help. Shannon also didn’t shy away from including mistakes that she made as a child, and I love that she allowed herself to be vulnerable to keep the story real and possibly help others.

This book will primarily be read by a female audience because it’s a story about girls but if you know a boy who is anything like my son, devouring any graphic novel I’ll get for him, he’ll enjoy it as well and learn some great lessons in the process. I also recommend it to parents to read to their elementary-aged children to possibly help them verbalize what they may currently be experiencing but are unable to explain. Everyone can learn about being a little kinder and more inclusive by reading Real Friends.

Review of an Advanced Reader’s Copy

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by First Second Books

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:   There is no language but there is one instance when an adult says “%#&@!”.

Violence/Gore:  Several (13) incidents including a few when characters imagine or dream about fighting bad guys; characters play a game that says father shot bears; reference to saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones…”; character’s sister slaps her and hits her with a shoe; boy spits on girl; girl hurts another girl in the arm (no injury).

Sex/Nudity:  Few (8) brief incidents including boy holds girl down and kisses her; girl calls boy to see if he wants to hang out; girls looking at a magazine with a boy and girl in it and talk about them liking each other; girls call boys and ask them to rate girls’ personalities and looks; girl talks about boy asking her to be his girlfriend; reference to mother’s boyfriend brother’s flirty friends; characters say a celebrity is hot; characters talk about first kiss (just mentioned).

Mature Subject Matter:

Characters play a game referencing pee and poo, OCD, anxiety, childhood romance.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

None