Best Friends

Description: Bestselling creators of Real Friends Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham are back with a true story about popularity, first crushes, and finding your own path.

Brief description: LeUyen Pham is the award-winning and best-selling creator of over 140 books for children, including The Man Who Didn't Like Animals by Deborah Underwood, Shrinking Violet by Laurel Snyder, Caldecott Honor Bear Came Along by Richard T. Morris, and the Eisner Award-winning graphic novel Lunar New Year Love Story with Gene Yang. She is also the illustrator of the Princess in Black series, Real Friends graphic novel series, and cocreator of Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn with Shannon Hale. LeUyen lives with her family in Los Angeles, CA. www.leuyenpham.com

Review Quotes:

"Somehow, Hale and Pham have made the "normal girl" into the ultimate cool girl." --The New York Times Book Review

"This uncommonly honest portrayal of the lures and pitfalls of popularity will likely ring true to many elementary and middle-school readers." --Booklist, starred review

"A terrific look at middle school culture . . . This authentic, important book will mean a great deal to many kids." --School Library Journal, starred review

"A must-read for fans of Raina Telgemeier or Victoria Jamieson . . . This glimpse into middle school is insightful, introspective, and important." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A natural suggestion for fans of Cece Bell and Raina Telgemeier, this book offers an honest, empathetic, and encouraging narrative for young readers braving the ups and downs of the tween years." --Horn Book

Praise for Real Friends:

"Fresh and funny." --New York Times Book Review

"The book's truth is as vibrant as its art." --Washington Post

"I have two boys, they love these books. They love to talk about the friendships, I love that I am discussing all of these issues through the lives of these girls. There is something about it that's so wonderful." --NPR

"Wistful, affecting, and utterly charming." --Booklist, starred review

"A heart-stabbing tale of the everyday social agonies of girlhood." --Wall Street Journal

"Shows us the incredible kindness and solidarity that girls can and do display." --The Mary Sue

"Bound to resonate with most readers, especially fans of Raina Telgemeier." --School Library Journal, starred review

"A wonderfully observed portrait of finding one's place in your world." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Nails what it's like to navigate elementary-school friendships." --Parents Magazine

"Sure to be loved by anyone who has ever felt like an outsider." --Victoria Jamieson, New York Times-bestselling and Newbery Honor author of Roller Girl

"Fresh, fun, and achingly real. Bravo!" --Jennifer L. Holm, New York Times-bestselling and Newbery Honor author and co-creator of Sunny Side Up and the Babymouse series

"This book is SO GOOD. SO MANY FEELS." --Gene Luen Yang, American Born Chinese