In THE BEST FRIEND BRACELET by Nicole D. Collier, Zariah is known throughout her school for making the best friendship bracelets, yet she doesn’t have a best friend of her own after having gone through a best friend break up the year before. When she is gifted some special beads, Zariah creates a bracelet that seems to have magical powers that make the wearer instantly into Zariah’s bestie. While this seems ideal, will this be the key to connecting Zariah with her new bestie—or is she overlooking something or someone else?

Friendship bracelets are having their moment now, so many readers will be engaged by that alone, but will find so much more once they dig into the book. From the end of a long friendship to the trials of forming a new and meaningful bond with a new friend, many friendship issues that are all too real to elementary and middle schoolers are addressed here with a touch of magical realism that makes this a winner.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing an eARC of the book with me.

Best friends are a big deal at Hurston Middle School, so not having one makes Zariah feel insecure. When she stumbles upon magical beads that once made into a bracelet makes anyone who wears it instantly become her bestie, life couldn't be better—or so she thinks. Zariah must tackle her inner feelings about not having a best friend before she ruins the potential one right in front of her.

Middle-grade girls will love The Best Friend Bracelet! Zariah insecurities will make readers feel for her while her business savvy and creativity show depth of character. I appreciated how she was really looking for someone to connect and be herself with. That's what true friendship is all about. Theo is Zariah's potential best friend who's not looking for a best friend. However, she needs to convince her mom she has friends so she strikes a deal with Zariah to help her with a science project. This means lots of time getting to know each other while eating PB & J sandwiches.

Zariah is usually seen wearing all black with the perfect makeup look on. She's very much an introvert who guards her heart. Seeing how she slowly opens up and trusts Zariah was so heartwarming. I loved getting to know Zariah and Theo and seeing their friendship grow. The Best Friend Bracelet is a great story for creative readers who enjoy friendship stories with a dash of magic.

Collier has penned another endearing and relatable character in Zariah, the main character in THE BEST FRIEND BRACELET! Readers will land right in the center of a cast of characters experiencing friendship joys and woes. I loved the real-time portrayal of middle-school life and the uncertainties that come with how to show up just as you are. Don't miss this sweet, heartfelt read!

Nicole Collier has written another fun, endearing, and heartfelt middle grade novel exploring universal truths and concerns of kids. Zariah is a budding entrepreneur selling special friendship bracelets but struggling to find her own best friend. When she stumbles across a magical bracelet that allows her to become instant besties with anyone she chooses, the complications quickly unfold, even as she and another girl Theo become fake best friends for their own reasons. Altogether a delightful read!

A must-read middle grade! THE BEST FRIEND BRACELET perfectly captures middle school friendships in all their tenderness and drama. Zariah's middle school world - HOCO sleepovers, cliques, talent shows, the dreaded group project, and the terror of eating lunch alone - is so expertly drawn. And just as in all her books, Nicole D. Collier has crafted a beautifully realized main character kids will identify with and cheer for as she navigates friendship's tricky waters in her quest for a bestie. Young readers will be lining up for this one. My thanks to Harper Collins, Net Galley, and the author for the advanced read.

You can always tell a story by Nicole Collier by the beautiful, tender, and loving touch she imbues in her characters and their worlds. Vulnerability and honesty are Collier's calling cards, as are vivid world-building and a deep-seated respect for her characters, their families, and their struggles. The small moments of touchstone connection Zariah has with her father while he's away for work draw a direct, and beautiful line to her search for true, deep friendship.
Like Collier's two previous titles, THE BEST FRIEND BRACELET melds humor with heartfelt truths and wraps it all up in a beautiful story about the meaning of true friendship.

I highly recommend this for avid readers, crafters, and anyone with a heart.

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an E-Arc.

Friendship bracelets are a middle school rite-of-passage, and this book weaves them into a delightful story of a young girl, Zariah (like Mariah but with a Z!), who makes such fantastic friendship bracelets that she sells them to her classmates. The only problem? Zariah would give anything for a best friend of her own, but she hasn't had one since the girl she thought was her best friend drifted away. Zariah discovers that one of her bracelets might have the power to magically gift her a best friend, but it turns out that a magical best friend might not be the same thing as a real friend. This story is sweet and poignant, and it will keep readers turning the pages to see if Zariah ever manages to find the (real) best friend she longs for. Perfect for every middle grade collection!