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***SPOILERS
HIDDEN*** Shannon Hale's friend drama continues in Friends Forever, the third graphic novel in her autobiographical "Friends" series. She’s now in eighth grade and enjoying being in the oldest grade at her middle school. As a member of the drama club, she’s also finally found a caring group of friends. But this is all surface stuff. Inside, Hale feels depressed and anxious and doesn't know why. I felt about Friends Forever much like I felt about book two in this series:
that it's inten Shannon Hale's friend drama continues in Friends Forever, the third graphic novel in her autobiographical "Friends" series. She’s now in eighth grade and enjoying being in the oldest grade at her middle school. As a member of the drama club, she’s also finally found a caring group of friends. But this is all surface stuff. Inside, Hale feels depressed and anxious and doesn't know why. I felt
about Friends Forever much like I felt about book two in this series: that it's intensely focused on pain and angst. Although this isn't uncommon for a story taking place during middle school, Hale has a way of depicting her experiences as uniquely miserable and horrendous. In eighth grade, most of her misery stems from observing her peers’ obsession with romantic relationships and appearance and feeling unsure about her own feelings and status. It's not pretty, especially because Hale
had low self-esteem and watched everyone around her pair up while she got ignored and occasionally mocked. Life at home didn’t help soften what happened at school. Hale's parents are portrayed as physically present but emotionally absent, and when she expresses any sadness, her family makes it clear that they believe sensitivity is a choice. As a result, she doesn't feel her parents or siblings love her, and she's needy in her friendships. I didn't love this latest installment in
the series. Hale's early teen years are interesting, but she stuffs in way too much, and, as is the case with book two, she’s simply unable to organize her stories so they unfold in a smooth, logical way. Friends Forever has a manic quality as Hale arbitrarily tossed in numerous little story threads only to end them abruptly and move on. One of the worst offenders is a tiny part in which (view spoiler)[her mom and dad tell her that an aunt has offered to let Hale live with
her in California. At first, Hale is excited because she thinks about how if she moves there, she'll get to reconnect with an old friend; however, when Hale calls this old friend to tell her about the potential move, the friend's indifferent reaction hurts Hale. This story thread then ends here, without any solid confirmation that Hale is in fact, not going to move to California. The reader is to assume she doesn't move after getting discouraged by her friend's reaction, but I don't understand
why it wasn't made totally clear in a small story arc that could have shown Hale trying to work through her hurt as she decides to stay home in Utah. (hide spoiler)] What is good about Friends Forever is its commentary--mostly implied--about the superficiality of young romance and about sexism and gender-essentialist views of women and girls. Early on, she astutely observes that "It seemed like girls were expected to be pretty...but it was shameful to actually
try to be pretty." Hale's father talks about how she'll need to "marry rich" someday since she has what he regards as expensive taste, and Hale's automatic internal response is to bristle at his sexism and question why she couldn't support herself. Later, Hale and a male student participate in a school debate wherein she argues in favor of women's rights; the boy counters with all the expected arrogant sexism (view spoiler)[and wins thanks to a biased female judge who finds
the women's rights movement distasteful and wrong-headed. (hide spoiler)] Book two touched on some of these things too, but book three delves a little deeper. What's upsetting to see is how Hale got so few “wins” as a kid. It's only many years later, as a successful author, that she's gotten the last laugh. Hale concluded on a happier note, showing her eighth-grade self finally realizing that she's valuable as she is. This looks like an a-ha moment, but it’s not that
momentous; it actually comes after an especially warm and fuzzy time with her drama-club friends and an understanding, while watching home movies with her parents, that they do, in fact, love her. I appreciated Hale's conversational afterword. In it, she elaborates on some of the story and makes clear, unequivocal statements to her young audience, such as advising them to be sure to tell a trusted adult if they're ever sexually assaulted. This is vague in the story itself. Any young
readers who relate to Hale's struggle will find Friends Forever affirming but maybe not helpful. This feels like a story Hale wrote more for personal catharsis than to empower kids going through what she went through. She’s clearly a compassionate, highly sensitive person, and kids may feel less alone after reading this--if they can see beyond the despair casting such a wide shadow on her account--but there’s no actual lesson. At the very least it's beneficial for young
readers to see that Hale’s early sadness didn’t harden her and that she went on to become as successful as she has.
Young Shannon is starting her 8th grade year, certain she will have more confidence than she did in 7th grade and in her first year of Middle School. As we all know, hopes do not always translate into reality. I love the panels
LeUyen Pham uses to illustrate Shannon's daydreams. They have a fairy tale quality and are clearly in contrast with real life -- which can sometimes be a disappointment in comparison. The notes she and her friend passed back and forth are reproductions of actual notes sav Young Shannon is starting her 8th grade year, certain she will have more confidence than she did in 7th grade and in her first year of Middle School. As we all know, hopes do not
always translate into reality. I love the panels LeUyen Pham uses to illustrate Shannon's daydreams. They have a fairy tale quality and are clearly in contrast with real life -- which can sometimes be a disappointment in comparison. The notes she and her friend passed back and forth are reproductions of actual notes saved from middle school and without fail include a reminder to W/B (write back). Shannon honestly shares her struggles to be all that she wants to be. Her faith life sometimes makes
it harder, yet her church life is also a source of hope. After all, it is her Creator who made her to be of such great value. I know young readers will be able to relate to Shannon's inner struggles even though they were in a different time. The author's note at the end is an extra reinforcement for readers who need hope in the midst of their teen years. I wish I had been able to read this book when I was her age. A big thank you to First Second books and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an
honest review.
Sep 30, 2021 Jessica rated it it was amazing The combination of Shannon's honesty and LeUyen's phenomenal illustrations makes for a very powerful book. Thirteen is a tough age, and add an undiagnosed anxiety disorder to that . . . woof. This book made me want to cry, both for Little Shannon, and for Little Jessica, who used to (and sometimes still does) feel like this. Her description of having big emotions and wanting to hide them because she was sure that people would make fun her for having them, that especially was something I think mo The combination of Shannon's honesty and LeUyen's phenomenal illustrations makes for a very powerful book. Thirteen is a tough age, and add an undiagnosed anxiety disorder to that . . . woof. This book made me want to cry, both for Little Shannon, and for Little Jessica, who used to (and sometimes still does) feel like this. Her description of having big emotions and wanting to hide them because she was sure that people would make fun her for having them, that especially was something I think most teens can relate to, and many adults. ...more
A fantastic read, another installment with good humor and real life crisis. Excellent illustrations! I can imagine it’s hard to make individual faces,
hair, body image and clothes for so many characters. Love the glimpse into the illustrations process at the end of the book! Love seeing the publicity team’s eighth grade photos! Thanks for sharing! I like how this book influenced my son in a good way. Shannon was a straight A’s student who strived to win and be the best student. She wanted to mak A fantastic read, another installment with good humor and real life crisis. Excellent illustrations! I
can imagine it’s hard to make individual faces, hair, body image and clothes for so many characters. Love the glimpse into the illustrations process at the end of the book! Love seeing the publicity team’s eighth grade photos! Thanks for sharing! I like how this book influenced my son in a good way. Shannon was a straight A’s student who strived to win and be the best student. She wanted to make her parents proud but at the same time she wanted to do something and be somebody instead of thinking
herself as a homemaker, a job most men think women should settle. This book followed Shannon starting eighth grade. In seventh grade she made some friends, boys and girls so she continued the friendship in eighth grade. Even though she has friends, she still felt like she’s not good enough. She wanted to be beautiful, famous, successful, liked by boys, etc. She begged her mom to take her to a salon for a new hairstyle just to feel beautiful as her friends. Her friends all coupled up with boys
except her. She worried if something was wrong with her when she had no boyfriend while her friends had many. She had a lot of emotions and constantly worrying that she’s not good enough. This worry spiraling downhill and made her depressed. Eventually she figured out a way to feel better and out of the depression hole. Friends Forever was very well written and illustrated. It brought back a lot of memories for me. I felt exactly like Shannon with the boyfriend situation and the not
beautiful. I do love those notes I passed back and forth with my friends too. There’s a book I read on this topic called Folded Notes from High School. This friends series is an awesome idea. A must read for kids everywhere. I liked how Shannon reached out to make friends and in the drama team despite how she usually doesn’t like the spotlight. An example is her runny nose in math class. She avoided at all costs to get up in front of the class to get a tissue off a teacher’s desk but she able to
perform on stage. I like the issues of feeling not good enough vs feeling just enough. Reminding kids to love themselves and who they are is so important and I’m glad my son got the teaching from reading this book! I highly recommend everyone to read this series! xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details Many thanks to MacKidsBooks for the opportunity to read and
review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus Very much in keeping with the other two books in the series. Readers who like graphic novels with lots of anxiety and trauma will definitely gobble up this autobiographical
tale of Hale's experiences in 8th grade. There are helpful end notes about dealing with a variety of mental health issues. Very much in keeping with the other two books in the series. Readers who like graphic novels with lots of anxiety and trauma will definitely gobble up this autobiographical tale of Hale's experiences in 8th grade. There are helpful end notes about dealing with a variety of mental health
issues.
Sep 13, 2021 Christy rated it it was amazing This Graphic Novel Series for Middle Grade is fantastic. My daughter is 3... and I already want to own a copy for her to read when she is around this age group. So real and relatable to that time in my life. Love the artwork also!
A cute and heart-filled graphic memoir about growing up in Utah in 1987. Basically, all about c-c-changes. Boys. Breakups. Reputations. Dreams. Managing emotions. And mental health.
Nov 01, 2021 Celeste rated it it was amazing A little too real 😭😭😭 Shannon's anxiety and depression and feelings of worthlessness made me cry. Very accurate to how I have felt and do feel. A little too real 😭😭😭 Shannon's anxiety and depression and feelings of worthlessness made me cry. Very accurate to how I have felt and do feel. ...more
Feb 19, 2022 Peacegal rated it really liked it Hale has created another engaging and relatable comic memoir. The trials and joys of the author's eighth grade year are followed with detail and compassion. FRIENDS FOREVER is set in the late 1980s, but it is no nostalgia piece. It remains universal enough to be a voice of understanding and support for today's young readers, all the while remaining relatable to the memories of us old fogeys. Hale also provides a voice of wisdom, looking back upon certain incidents where she had remained silent a Hale has created another engaging and relatable comic memoir. The trials and joys of the author's eighth grade year are followed with detail and compassion. FRIENDS FOREVER is set in the late 1980s, but it is no nostalgia piece. It remains universal enough to be a voice of understanding and support for today's young readers, all the while remaining relatable to the memories of us old fogeys. Hale also provides a voice of wisdom, looking back upon certain incidents where she had remained silent and wished she had not. ...more
Jan 25, 2022 Maddie rated it it was ok This is the highest rating I've given any of the books. And the only reason it's so high is because I can relate to Shannon more in this book than I could in any of the other ones. We learn (view spoiler)[That Shannon has depression, anxiety (I already had guessed that), and OCD. (hide spoiler)]. I liked that at the end it tells everyone "I AM ENOUGH" because, you are enough! I felt like the whole series was pushing the "if your beautiful your loved. If your smart your loved." and other mess This is the highest rating I've given any of the books. And the only reason it's so high is because I can relate to Shannon more in this book than I could in any of the other ones. We learn (view spoiler)[That Shannon has depression, anxiety (I already had guessed that), and OCD. (hide spoiler)]. I liked that at the end it tells everyone "I AM ENOUGH" because, you are enough! I felt like the whole series was pushing the "if your beautiful your loved. If your smart your loved." and other messages like that, which I disagreed with. But this book wrapped it up and told everyone YOU ARE ENOUGH! ...more
Sep 17, 2021 Tammy rated it it was amazing I really love this series! Young Shannon is so relatable and is a great role model for kids. Popsugar Challenge 2021 - A book you think your best friend would like (2 of my daughters devoured it in
hours)
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here. I was only able to download 16 pages from NetGalley, but this looks like it will be just as good as all of Shannon Hale's other books. Shannon is becoming increasingly obsessed with how she looks. She wants to be as beautiful
as her friend. They discuss school pictures, and Shannon gets contacts. #NetGalley Update 12/25/2021 - I was finally able to get my hands on the full print book. It was as good as the first 16 pages made it seem. Shannon becomes increasingly worried if her friends really lik Update 12/25/2021 - I was finally able to get my hands on the full print book. It was as good as the first 16 pages made it seem. Shannon becomes increasingly worried if her friends really like her or not. She battles with depression and anxiety, but eventually overcomes it.
Oct 30, 2021 Jean rated it it was amazing Read this series with my daughter and it opened up some fantastic conversations about friendship, growing up, anxiety, bullying, kindness, being yourself—just so honestly written that it made the perfect, engaging jumping off point for these talks.
This was one of the best comics I have ever read!
Sep 23, 2021 Michelle Gray rated it it was amazing This was fantastically done. I related to the main character, Shannon, in so many ways I could have been her in middle school and beyond. Dealing with undiagnosed anxiety and depression is frightening and confusing. I wish I had had a book like this to read when Middle School changes hit.
Sep 13, 2021 Kirsten rated it it was amazing Every 12, 13 and 14 year-old girl should read this perfect graphic novel/memoir. And, every adult woman should read it, too, to remember exactly how painfully awkward we were in 8th grade. All of the stupid, insensitive, self-absorbed things I might've said to people, not getting a part in the school play, running for class president, my goofiest looking school picture EVER (I would attach a photo to this review, if I could. Wait. Maybe not.) and finally being old enough for contact lenses (afte Every 12, 13 and 14 year-old girl should read this perfect graphic novel/memoir. And, every adult woman should read it, too, to remember exactly how painfully awkward we were in 8th grade. All of the stupid, insensitive, self-absorbed things I might've said to people, not getting a part in the school play, running for class president, my goofiest looking school picture EVER (I would attach a photo to this review, if I could. Wait. Maybe not.) and finally being old enough for contact lenses (after picture day) . . . it's all here. Shannon's story is painfully personal and universal at the same time. She tells a brave and important story about the mixed messages girls get at the most confusing time in their lives and how we put on a happy face because we're too scared not to. "Am I good enough? Am I too smart? Does that boy think I'm cute? Yikes! That boy thinks I'm cute." This should be required reading for everyone--girls, boys, women and men. The back matter adds important information, too, about getting help when we need it and being honest about how we feel, even when we just feel bad. Thanks, Shannon and LeUyen. You two are so cute together--I hope you're best friends 4ever! H.A.G.S. Kirsten ...more
Dec 31, 2021 chvang rated it it was amazing Fantastic. I loved it. Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham are a great team. The writing and the art both work together very well and feel very intimate, making you really feel as if you're in the story. Reading this, I felt as if I were a 13 year old girl navigating friendships and middle school in 1980s Utah. This entire series has been amazing and you should definitely read it. Fantastic. I loved it. Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham are a great team. The writing and the art both work together very well and feel very intimate, making you really feel as if you're in the story. Reading this, I felt as if I were a 13 year old girl navigating friendships and middle school in 1980s Utah. This entire series has been amazing and you should definitely read it. ...more
I get it’s an autobiography of sorts… but wow. Awful family, awful friends, righteous martyr complex and of course… the cure for depression is just telling yourself you’re loved and good enough and bang! It disappears. I would not recommend this to any impressionable young person.
Jun 01, 2022 Brandee rated it really liked it What a great book for middle grade readers. Even though I am much older, I do teach middle school and this book hit close to home many times. The title is a bit misleading...it does deal with friendships but it deals more with inner feelings of success, beauty, and failure. At this age, do we ever feel like we are enough? Are we smart enough, popular enough, pretty enough? I definitely went through this when I was this age and I know that many of my students are too. At one point in the book, th What a great book for middle grade readers. Even though I am much older, I do teach middle school and this book hit close to home many times. The title is a bit misleading...it does deal with friendships but it deals more with inner feelings of success, beauty, and failure. At this age, do we ever feel like we are enough? Are we smart enough, popular enough, pretty enough? I definitely went through this when I was this age and I know that many of my students are too. At one point in the book, the main character says "No matter how hard I worked, it never felt like enough." This unfortunately feels so true! So many adolescents and teens feel this way especially during the tough times in our world today. I think this book sheds light on these difficulties and questions while not putting the reader down in any way. You are enough but sometimes it is important to say that to yourself more than to hear it from others. A definite read for all middle grade students! (view spoiler)[ another quote I loved was at the very end. "You are beautiful. You deserve to be seen for who you are and loved for who you are. You are powerful and capable of doing great things. Your feelings matter. You don't have to be perfect. You are enough, exactly as you are" (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)] ...more
Jan 20, 2022 Eric Sutton rated it really liked it I'm revamping my graphic memoir unit at school, so you'll see a few graphic text reviews coming from me soon, probably in rather quick succession because they're so easy to read! I mean that in the best way possible - I think graphic texts are such a wonderful way for students to gain exposure to different genres. On the latter point, I am speaking specifically to memoir, as I have seen students captivated in reading personal stories captured through illustrations. For whatever reason, it has a I'm revamping my graphic memoir unit at school, so you'll see a few graphic text reviews coming from me soon, probably in rather quick succession because they're so easy to read! I mean that in the best way possible - I think graphic texts are such a wonderful way for students to gain exposure to different genres. On the latter point, I am speaking specifically to memoir, as I have seen students captivated in reading personal stories captured through illustrations. For whatever reason, it has a way of making interior worlds come alive, and that's really important for young people to witness. It acts as motivation in bringing their own stories to life. I have not read the first two installments of the Friends series, but I loved this third part. Teaching eighth graders, I really could relate to Shannon's difficulties, not only her social anxiety but the immense pressure she heaped on herself. The mental health piece was refreshing and pertinent, and the fact that the story is set in the '80s makes her depression all the more difficult to read because it was so misunderstood and easily dismissed at the time. Definitely a good candidate to make the short list! ...more
Sep 20, 2021 Kirsti rated it it was amazing Hale and Pham are creating an incredible series about what it's like to grow up middle-class and female in the United States. This volume sees Shannon in eighth grade. She has many friends, but she struggles with self-image and with sexism within her family and community. I've never seen such an accurate depiction of intrusive thoughts. By trying to stop being "so sensitive," she temporarily shuts down all her feelings and ends up a ball of rage and despair. In addition to these serious issues, Hale and Pham are creating an incredible series about what it's like to grow up middle-class and female in the United States. This volume sees Shannon in eighth grade. She has many friends, but she struggles with self-image and with sexism within her family and community. I've never seen such an accurate depiction of intrusive thoughts. By trying to stop being "so sensitive," she temporarily shuts down all her feelings and ends up a ball of rage and despair. In addition to these serious issues, there are smaller-scale, slice-of-life issues with friendships. There's a boy who claims to be in love with another girl but hangs around Shannon all the time and writes notes to her (Shannon) constantly. I thought he might eventually realize how great she is . . . but then she points out that he repeatedly misspells her name. Yup, not gonna happen. Though I hold out hope for Volume 4! He's not a disaster, he's just tactless! ...more
Sep 14, 2021 Laura rated it really liked it This is the third in the series of Shannon's memoir graphic novels about her teenage hood, and she is even more anxious than ever. Shannon feels she has to please everyone, get perfect grades, and do what everyone wants. But she doesn't get to do the things she wants to do.
She doesn't want to rebel, but something is going to crack. Written with the help of her journal at the time, as well as notes she kept from her friends for 30 years, she gives a very complete story of the hell that is middle Shannon feels she has to please everyone, get perfect grades, and do what everyone
wants. But she doesn't get to do the things she wants to do. She doesn't want to rebel, but something is going to crack. Written with the help of her journal at the time, as well as notes she kept from her friends for 30 years, she gives a very complete story of the hell that is middle school, with the rivalries, and cute girls and mean girls. The whole nine yards. I didn't enjoy it quite so much as the first to books, as she was ruminating on her feelings a whole lot more, but that
isn't to say the book was bad. It had some very good parts, as well.
A strong ending to the most accurate books about middle-school aged years I have ever read. This one divides up its story arcs in a way that left all of them feeling slightly underbaked, but
like the others it takes on its own share of big issues. It's notable how different Shannon's problems are in this book than the first, it really understands these tricky years. Taking on self-image, confidence, talent, and all her friends' new interest in boys, this also continues to weave in coping with Anx Taking on self-image, confidence, talent, and all her friends' new interest in boys, this also continues to weave in coping with Anxiety in the middle of it all. This was the first book I've ever pre-ordered. Both my kids (12 and 9) have reread the first two
books of this series several times and I'm so glad they have it.
Sep 13, 2021 Michele Knott rated it really liked it Wow. I just took a trip back to eighth
grade in 1987-88 and it's not pretty.
Oct 06, 2021 Danae rated it it was amazing Yes, I finished all three books in this series in less than 24 hours. I am glad I read them before giving them to my girls. My girls may need to be a little older for some of the topics in this one (Jr High age). Then again, maybe not. I have until Christmas to decide. I really enjoyed the story told through these books and how friends are important, but it is most important to love yourself. When you love yourself all your interactions come a lot smoother.
Nov 15, 2021 Mary-Jane rated it it was amazing Shannon Hale does it again. I definitely feel like Shannon could have been someone who lived down the road from me. Sometimes characters in books aren't "real" enough for me to relate to them. Her characters are so relatable! Church, mean guys, being a worrier, etc. I can relate to it all. Shannon Hale does it again. I definitely feel like Shannon could have been someone who lived down the road from me. Sometimes characters in books aren't "real" enough for me to relate to them. Her characters are so relatable! Church, mean guys, being a worrier, etc. I can relate to it all. ...more
Feb 08, 2022 Londyn rated it it was amazing This series is so good, they really should keep making books for this series!
This chapter preview gave a
great premise for setting up book three in Shannon Hale's graphic novel biography. This series has been incredibly popular with my students because Shannon is such a relatable character. The idiosyncrasies of middle school make a perfect premise for kids to realize that they aren't the only one who feels like they aren't perfect and they don't quite belong. Shannon brings real life to the characters and helps others to realize that others are just like them. Grades: 4
This chapter preview gave a great premise for setting up book three in Shannon Hale's graphic novel biography. This series has been incredibly popular with my students because Shannon is such a relatable character. The idiosyncrasies of middle school make a perfect premise for kids to realize that they aren't the only one who feels like they aren't perfect and they don't quite belong. Shannon brings real life to the characters and helps others to realize
that others are just like them. Grades: 4-8 Please Note: A copy of this book was given to us by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.. All opinions expressed are our own. No financial compensation was received.
Sep 20, 2021 Tessa rated it liked it This series remains one of the few graphic novels I really enjoy, but this is the weakest of the three. Shannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of six young adult novels: the Newbery Honor book Princess Academy, multiple award winner Book of a Thousand Days, and the highly acclaimed Books of Bayern series. She has written three books for adults, including the upcoming Midnight in Austenland (Jan. 2012), companion book to Austenland. She co-wrote the hit graphic novel Rapunzel's Reveng Shannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of six young adult novels: the Newbery Honor book Princess Academy, multiple award winner Book of a Thousand Days, and the highly acclaimed Books of Bayern series. She has written three books for adults, including the upcoming Midnight in Austenland (Jan. 2012), companion book to Austenland. She co-wrote the hit graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge and its sequel Calamity Jack with husband Dean Hale. They live near Salt Lake City, Utah with their four small children, and their pet, a small, plastic pig. ...more Other books in the seriesNews & InterviewsAs dedicated readers already know, some of the best and most innovative stories on the shelves come from the constantly evolving realm of... Welcome back. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. |
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