¡°In Real Friends, Shannon Hale reflects on her own friendship-troubled elementary school years with honesty, humor and grace . . . Her readers will find much to love here, including LeUyen Pham¡¯s brilliant and multilayered art . . . These detailed memories of elementary school will ring hilariously true to adult readers . . . At the same time, stories of whispered rumors and being left out will be achingly familiar for readers navigating those waters in the here and now.¡± ¡ªauthor Kate Messner, writing in the New York Times Book Review
¡°The book's truth is as vibrant as its art.¡± ¡ªWashington Post
¡°A heart-stabbing tale of the everyday social agonies of girlhood.¡± ¡ªWall Street Journal
¡°Real Friends tackles bullying, childhood anxiety, and growing pains in a heartfelt way that¡¯ll transport every woman who went to elementary school back into her days as a young girl . . . but the book also shows us the incredible kindness and solidarity that girls can and do display.¡± ¡ªThe Mary Sue
¡°A wistful, affecting, and utterly charming exploration of the realities of childhood friendship.¡± ¡ªBooklist, starred review
¡°This tender, perceptive graphic memoir is bound to resonate with most readers, especially fans of Raina Telgemeier and kids struggling with the often turbulent waters of friendships and cliques.¡± ¡ªSchool Library Journal, starred review