Wednesday, July 24, 2019

The Friendship War by Andrew Clements - ADVISABLE

The Friendship War by Andrew Clements, 168 pages, Random House, 2019, $17.

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Sixth grader, Grace has just happened upon a windfall of buttons.  Really cool buttons.  When she inadvertently starts a fad at her school with buttons, she could be the queen bee.  Unfortunately, it would mean dethroning her best friend Ellie in the process, but maybe Ellie deserve to be dethroned.   After all, Grace has always been Ellie’s sidekick.

Clements delivers on another great story.  Through the button fad and Grace’s scientific mind, we get to observe as she does, what makes something a fad, perhaps how to stop it, and what it means to be a friend.  The book also briefly addresses loss of a loved one and hope, intertwining them into a great read.  Anyone who has ever been caught up in a fad (Pokemon cards anyone?) or has had friendship troubles can relate.  Nice book on taking the higher ground to cope. 

Michelle in the Middle, Teacher

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