My Worst Best Friend by Dyan Sheldon

Sheldon, Dyan, My Worst Best Friend. Candlewick Press, 2010. Pgs. 298. Language: PG-13 (37 swears, no “f”s). Violence: G, Sexual Content: PG


Savanna and Gracie are exact opposites. Savanna is flighty, shallow, and rarely shows up to anything on time. Gracie is smart, community-conscious, caring person. Savanna starts ditching Archie, her boyfriend, Gracie, and their friends in order to go out with a college boy. In order to go on the dates, she manipulates Gracie into lying to everyone for her. As Gracie is forced to lie more and more, she coincidentally starts spending a lot more time with Cooper, Archie’s friend. Savanna, however, doesn’t approve of her relationship with Cooper and is even considering dumping Archie for her college boyfriend. When the two get into a huge argument over the lying, Savanna starts giving Gracie the cold shoulder. Will Gracie find a balance between hanging out with Archie and Cooper and Savanna? Will Gracie find a way to stand up to Savanna and still save her relationship with Cooper?

A good ending, but hard to read along the way. The swears interrupt the story line. Savanna and her mother seem unbelievable as characters. The other characters, however, are well-developed. Although the plot is complex enough, it doesn’t flow well and seems cropped together. Readers, however, who are fans of realistic fiction, romances, and friendship stories may enjoy reading this book. MS. OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Jessica M, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High