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A review by ladytiara
Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead
4.0
Goodbye Stranger is the story of three best friends entering seventh grade and an unnamed high school freshman dealing with a betrayal. Bridge, Emily, and Tabitha have been friends for many years, and they long ago made a pact that they would never fight, something they’re finding hard to keep to now that they’re in the seventh grade. The girls are growing apart a bit, not because they don’t still care about each other deeply, but because seventh grade is a time of change. They’re all involved in different activities, and they’re making new friends outside their little group.
Seventh grade is an interesting time for kids. You’re not quite a teenager, but you’re starting to leave childhood behind. Stead does an excellent job of showing how these kids are being pulled in different directions. This books deals with a lot of issues kids face: girls developing early, sexting, peer-pressure, frenemies, slut-shaming, and bullying. I liked how the author handled these issues. For example, one character sends an inappropriate photo to a boy at his urging. Yes, it’s a dumb thing to go, but the initial response of the school and the other kids is awful and completely ridiculous. Stead makes it clear this sort of slut-shaming is just plain wrong, and that’s a powerful message for kids. (And, boy, am I ever glad I came of age in a time before smartphones.)
This would be a great book to read along with your kid (although it’s probably not good for reading to your kids, since the target age group is a bit past the being read to stage). The recommended age is 10 and up, but depending on a child’s maturity level, 12 and up may be more appropriate. This book provides a lot of opportunities to discuss big issues with kids, particularly bullying and peer-pressure. The author does a great job of being even-handed. In one scene, a character points out that a mean girl’s awful behavior may be motivated by jealousy. It doesn’t mitigate her behavior, but it helps another character to understand the situation a little better. I highly recommend this book.
I received an ARC from Amazon Vine.
Seventh grade is an interesting time for kids. You’re not quite a teenager, but you’re starting to leave childhood behind. Stead does an excellent job of showing how these kids are being pulled in different directions. This books deals with a lot of issues kids face: girls developing early, sexting, peer-pressure, frenemies, slut-shaming, and bullying. I liked how the author handled these issues. For example, one character sends an inappropriate photo to a boy at his urging. Yes, it’s a dumb thing to go, but the initial response of the school and the other kids is awful and completely ridiculous. Stead makes it clear this sort of slut-shaming is just plain wrong, and that’s a powerful message for kids. (And, boy, am I ever glad I came of age in a time before smartphones.)
This would be a great book to read along with your kid (although it’s probably not good for reading to your kids, since the target age group is a bit past the being read to stage). The recommended age is 10 and up, but depending on a child’s maturity level, 12 and up may be more appropriate. This book provides a lot of opportunities to discuss big issues with kids, particularly bullying and peer-pressure. The author does a great job of being even-handed. In one scene, a character points out that a mean girl’s awful behavior may be motivated by jealousy. It doesn’t mitigate her behavior, but it helps another character to understand the situation a little better. I highly recommend this book.
I received an ARC from Amazon Vine.