Real Friends, by Shannon Hale | Book Review

Review by Maya Schulze, Age 12
The Children’s Book Review | April 3, 2018

Real Friends

Written by Shannon Hale

Illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Age Range: 8 – 12 years

Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: First Second (May 2, 2017)

ISBN-13: 978-1626727854

What to Expect: Graphic Novel, Realistic Fiction, Friendship

Real Friends is a memoir by Shannon Hale about friendship. Journey through this excellent graphic novel and find the true meaning of friendship.

Shannon thought she was going to hate school, but when she got to kindergarten she became best friends with Adrienne. She loved school so much just because of Adrienne. Until…. Adrienne became friends with Jenn, too. Shannon wants Adrienne back really bad, she would do anything for that. But then Jenn’s group starts bullying Shannon. Shannon tries to change but that just makes things worse. Now Shannon doesn’t know if Adrienne even wants to be friends with her anymore. 

I love this book so much because it is very detailed in the illustrations and the writing. I could tell that the illustrator took her time on the pictures because they were just so full of feeling. I also really like this book because it helped me better understand what good friends really are.

Available Here: 

About the Author

Shannon Hale is the bestselling author of many books for children, including the Ever After High series, Princess Academy (Newbery Honor book), and The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl middle grade novel. She co-wrote the graphic novels Rapunzel’s Revenge and Calamity Jack and the chapter book series The Princess in Black with her husband Dean Hale. They live with their four children near Salt Lake City, Utah.

About the Illustrator

LeUyen Pham is the bestselling illustrator of The Princess in Black series with Shannon and Dean Hale. She wrote and illustrated Big Sister, Little Sister and The Bear Who Wasn’t There and is the illustrator of many other picture books, including The Boy Who Loved Math. She lives and works in Los Angeles with her husband and her two adorable sons.

Real Friends, by Shannon Hale, was reviewed by Maya Schulze (age 12). Follow along with our articles tagged with First Second, Friendship, Graphic Novel, Leuyen Pham, Shannon Hale, and Reviews by Children to discover more great books for kids.