Thank you for allowing me to read this graphic novel. I enjoyed another day in the of these teenagers. They are getting older with older issues.

Fantastic! Hale and Pham could do ten more books, following the character of Shannon into her 30s, and I would read them all.

A wonderful 3rd book in the Real Friends series. Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham are such an amazing duo. This book deals with a little older of topics, so definitely more middle grade, but the realistic view of life for a middle schooler/teen is something that students will connect with. The struggles she deals with and the coping skills she develops will be helpful to others.

This continuation of the Friends series by Shannon Hale was quite enjoyable. I appreciate that Shannon is dealing with depression in the ways that many middle school students might be. As always, the illustrations are beautiful and expressive and a perfect fit for the story.

A great continuation of the series. It gets a little sad to see the feelings Shannon was dealing with but it's nice to have hope about the future. It seems like middle school is universal in its difficulties and the worries we have as we go through it.

A fantastic end to a popular series! Even though this is set in the 1970s, it feels fresh and current and connects so well with today's tweens.

Shannon Hale is an amazing artist and writer and I will always put her books in my libraries. Friends Forever is an awesome installment in the Best Friends series.

Shannon Hale's Friends series never disappoints on awkward teen cringe factor --and this installation is no exception.

For tween girls who are just a little too awkward to feel The Babysitter's Club BFF vibes, Hale has you covered with just enough space to laugh with rather than at her. This title hits the sweet spot of dealing with anxiety and depression while also going through the changes of one's teen years --both physical and social. It's something that tweens today will feel as relatable with just a pang of schadenfreude because it can always get worse (and Shannon would know!).

The final installment in the series, we see Shannon finishing those horrible middle school years. Her struggles definitely aren’t over. Like so many kids in that age range, she wants to be someone’s special someone. She wants to be popular. She wants people to value her. I think these are pretty universal struggles.

As in the other two books, Hale doesn’t hold back in presenting the good, the bad, and the ugly of adolescent life, which makes all of the characters—not just the protagonist—relatable.

Possible objectionable material:
This book hints at mental illness (obsessive compulsive disorder). There is some bullying and exclusion, classic “mean girl” behavior. Faith and religion are present, which some people object to.

Who might like this book:
If you’ve ever felt like you don’t fit in, this book will resonate.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2022/01/a-bundle-of-books-from-one-of-my.html

In the third installment of the semi-autobiographical graphic novel "Friends" series by Shannon Hale, Shannon is juggling friends, families, and feelings about boys.

While I skipped out on the second installment, this third one (set in the 8th grade) takes a much more mature leap. There's boys, making out, alcohol, and even sexual harassment. I understand that 1. this took place in '87, when adults were more lenient and dismissive about many pre-teen issues and 2. that this is a middle grade graphic novel and therefore more geared towards middle school aged children. But the way in which several issues were addressed just rubbed me the wrong way. The telling the humiliating stories of the honored students of the month was terrible. What adult would ever think that's a good idea? And then a girl getting in trouble for BEING pantsed? Instead of the boys pulling her pants down being, I don't know, expelled maybe? Not to mention the sexual harassment of a couple of thirteen year old girls by a mall Santa!!! These were just a handful of the issues that were very glossed over and not necessarily broached as well as they could have been. I appreciated the self-love reminders and Shannon standing up for women's rights, but this was a somewhat uncomfortable/confusing read if trying to put myself in the shoes of some of the 4th and 5th graders in my school that would pick this up...

The third installment in Shannon Hale's autobiographical "Friends" series sees Shannon in eighth grade and dealing with anxiety over her looks, her grades, and her popularity. She sees her friends dating, but worries that no one wants to date her. She wants eighth grade to be her perfect year, but she just can't seem to be happy. She becomes increasingly anxious, with OCD behaviors starting to creep into her daily life. A solidly relatable, realistic picture of the big emotions and worries facing kids as they become teens, Shannon's adolescence in the 1980s is still every bit as relevant to tweens and teens today; with mental health issues gaining more mainstream attention today, Friends Forever can spark important conversations about the pressures tweens and teens face and coping mechanisms that can help. Friends Forever is about change and finding the courage to accept and love yourself. Beautifully illustrated, and with back matter that includes an author's note from Shannon Hale that addresses mental health, actual school photos, a peek at LeUyen Pham's sketchbook, and notes from Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham to one another, just like real friends share.

Friends Forever by Shannon Hale is another fantastic graphic novel. The illustrations are wonderful, the dream like portions were very well done. Hale's complete honesty and humor about middle school resonates with my students and my own children. I'm so excited to be able to put copies of Friends Forever in my teacher's classrooms.

Friends Forever continues the adventure of Shannon’s life. The graphic novel follows along with another year after the first two books. The situations faced by Shannon are relatable to the audience of readers. Shannon struggles with relationships, friendship, finding herself, and her own mental health. Readers will be able to see themselves and situations they face in this book. Recommended for grades 5 through 8.

This is the third installment in the Friends series, following out main character as she navigates friends, boys, body image, and more. While at time I felt this volume was over written, it was still heartfelt and deep.

Graphic memoir about Shannon’s life in eighth grade. Entertaining and informative, Shannon deals with friendship, family, and depression as she tries to follow a plan to fulfillment.

This book follows Shannon Hale as she goes into 8th grade and the pressures of doing well in school, being popular, being talented, and being subject to male attention. This follows Hale’s journey into self-acceptance while she navigates junior high school: with friends and family while still dealing with depression and anxiety.

Loved this book! Such a great follow-up to the Friends series. A great middle school read! I pre-ordered for my little sister entering 6th grade who already read the first two graphic novels. I love the illustrations and Hale, as a character, was so empathetic. Great for fans of Raina Telgemeier.

I love Hale’s memoirs, and I think that they are going to be adored by so many readers. The topics within the memoirs are important and timely for middle school readers too: anxiety, friendship, popularity, identity… all the things that make middle school so tough.

With thanks to NetGalley and First Second Books for an early copy in return for an honest review.

I liked how the book was set up with each of the chapters in the book dedicated to an area of her life she was trying to work on, rather than simply telling the story in a chronological way. Shannon's emotions came through well and I think kids will relate to the feeling of not being enough. That being said, I don't think I would recommend this to early middle grade readers. Middle grade is 8-12 years old, which is generally 3rd-7th grade, and since Shannon was an 8th grader in this book, it dealt with more mature topics. I think it dealt with the topics well, I probably just wouldn't recommend the book to 3rd-5th graders.

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.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. It will be released August 31, 2021 by First Second Books.

Forever Friendship is a continuation of the Real Friends series. Hale's earlier memoirs, with brilliant artwork by LeYuen Pham, captured the social dynamics of girl friendship and bullying in elementary school. This one addresses Shannon's internal turmoil in middle school. Like the first two, it ends up being a template for how to survive and thrive through a tumultuous time in your life. Older girls and women might learn a thing or two from it.

It highlights the numerous ways girls get socialized into the 'beauty myth.' It explores the roles of magazines, television, movies, church, religion and schooling. It's full of the complex ways we hurt one another.

Starting grade eight Shannon feels pretty good about her friends. Despite this she still worries and is plagued with feelings of not being good enough. She has numerous goals for this new year. She begins grade eight thinking that fulfillment is based on beauty, success, and fame. Add being a good person and being liked by boys into the mix. It's kind of like a recipe for disaster.

Following the introduction, six chapters focus on an area connected to this. Most end with an important message to young girls.

Beautiful
As if it's not enough that Shannon has to deal with her body changing, she attempts to mold herself into society's model of what beauty is. She wears contact lens, gets braces, and perms her hair. Before others can make fun of her, she makes fun of herself. Any critique by others emphasizes that she's not good enough. In the end she halfheartedly decides she doesn't care if she isn't beautiful and will instead, pursue her other dreams.

Fame
Shannon thinks that fame will cover her in emotional armor. She wants to feel special, yet at the same time thinks that if only she can learn to play the correct part - to become the right kind of person, fame is possible. Unfortunately, doing this involves burying her own dreams. This leads to all kinds of complicated feelings. She appreciates her friends' successes and at the same time, is jealous of them. She's terrified that if she makes any mistakes she will lose all her friends forever. Thankfully she decides to dig up her dreams again and follow them. She doesn't get a part in the school drama production. Instead she becomes student director. Ultimately she learns that being a part of something is enough. Being famous isn't necessary.

Boys
This chapter addresses emerging sexuality and negotiating through the messiness of it. One of Shannon's best friends is Andrei. They are not romantically involved. Yet everyone expects them to be. Because of this, she assumes that there is something wrong with her. I loved the complexity in Shannon's relationship with Jane. They are on the cusp of becoming young women, but they are also still kids. Jane is shown exploring her sexuality with different boys, and getting slut shamed for it. There are creepy older men to deal with.
Shannon starts to think, "You're not allowed to feel sad. If you feel sad you're wrong." In the end though, she learns that it's enough for a boy just to think you are cool.

Success
"No matter how hard I worked, it never felt like enough"
Shannon comes to see her value is in how others perceive her. She wonders if her parents only love her because of her grades. She decides to run for class president and loses. The role of fathers in how girls see themselves is articulated clearly in this section. In spite of his comments about the role of women, Shannon dreams of having both a family and a satisfying career. She learns that she wants to 'be successful - but in the ways that make me feel good - not in the ways everyone expected."

Perfect
This section highlights the role of religion and church. To be perfect is to be good enough, to be kind enough. Her attempts to follow through end up in mishap after mishap. Rather than bringing comfort, church ends up exaggerating her so called flaws and exacerbating her feelings of being a bad person. Everything falls apart for her after an altercation with her friends.

Nothing
Shannon ends up deep in depression. If she is loved based on her accomplishments, what happens when she fails? She gives up on her friends, school, and violin. Eventually her parents send her to see a psychiatrist. He's a dud.

Enough
Shannon becomes her own therapist and begins to love herself.
"It felt like an act of rebellion. To choose to love myself even if I wasn't sure anybody else did. Even if I wasn't sure I was worthy enough. Even if I wasn't sure that I actually did. To try to love myself. That felt like a lot."
It makes all the difference. Grade eight turns out to be a pretty good year.

I wish this book, and the others in the series had been around when I was in my preteen and teen years. I'm sure glad they are here today to help young girls navigate the potential minefield of adolescence. As it is, they have helped me resolve issues connected to those times in my life. I'm sure that women of all ages will be able to connect to Shannon's experiences.

I recommend you purchase numerous copies of this for your school libraries. Encourage boys, parents, and teachers in your school to read it too.