Author: Carol Dines
Publisher: Fitzroy Books
Release Date: September 27, 2022
While I would not classify this as a young adult book, it did have value within the pages for younger readers amid the challenges of growing up and friendships.
Frances has had a hard time since her best friend moved away and has felt very isolated after starting high school. On the second day of school, she meets Sonja, the opposite of Fran’s introverted self. Sonja integrates herself into Frances’s family immediately as the girls declare themselves best friends. When Sonja’s family has trouble, she moves in with Fran and the two have to quickly discover that their fast friendship is going to be put to the test.
This book has a lot of good points dealing with young friendships and how hard it can be growing up and making friends. I understand being an introvert and wanting to have friends and what it’s like when someone comes on strong with an overpowering personality. This was a good premise but read slowly, and for a YA book, or any book for that matter, that’s not necessarily positive. As I was reading, I wouldn’t classify this as a Young Adult book, for it to be that I feel like it needs to be writing a little differently to engage the young readers. This will appeal to an eclectic group of readers but not any average reader that pick it up for a quick read.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.