Wrong Friend

Gr 4-8–This graphic novel, perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Shannon Hale, explores what happens when a BFF is no longer a forever friend. Eleven-year-old Charise’s world is turned upside down when her older best friend, Casey, begins high school and suddenly acts like she doesn’t exist. Left alone and heartbroken, Charise begins to question everything about herself and what she knows about friendship; her world is suddenly full of rules that she didn’t know existed (e.g., “high schoolers are NOT friends with babies in elementary school!”). In her quest to fill the void with a new best friend, Charise’s idea of friendship is challenged; she comes to realize that it can take many forms. This book perfectly captures the universal uncertainty of the tween and early teen years, when life suddenly changes and relationships are no longer as predictable or simple as they once were. It is especially gratifying for readers to see this change through the eyes of Charise, who has difficulty navigating social situations. Lucey’s classic comic style and subtle hints like bell-bottom jeans and wall-mounted kitchen telephones point to a 1970s setting. Charise and her family appear white and are bilingual, speaking English and French, while supporting and background characters are diverse in physical appearance, culture, and family composition.