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A review by mrskatiefitz
Best Friend Next Door by Carolyn Mackler
3.0
When Hannah's best friend Sophie moves away, and Emme and her moms move into Sophie's old house, Hannah is a little uncertain about making friends. Soon, though, she and Emme realize they have many things in common, including their palindromic first names, their taste in clothing, a hatred for pizza, and a love for competitive swimming. As Emme acclimates to her new home and Hannah tries to get used to the idea that her stepmom is soon to have a baby, the two girls live through the typical ups and downs of tween friendship.
Best Friend Next Door is written in a straightforward style that makes it a quick and easy read. Chapters alternate between the two girls' points of view so the reader gets to know both characters well, and conflicts that arise are seen from both sides. Some threads of the story feel forced - mainly the health condition of the girls' shared cat, and the appearance of Sophie late in the story and the resulting "three's a crowd" jealousy - but for the most part the development of the girls' friendship feels very real and natural, as does the involvement of their very present and refreshingly non-dysfunctional parents.
Carolyn Mackler has traditionally been more of a YA author, but this book is geared toward the lower end of the middle grade audience, probably grades 3 to 5. It will appeal especially to kids who are not yet interested in romance and dating, and who themselves have had a best friend. Read-alikes include the Friends for Keeps series by Julie Bowe and the Allie Finkle series by Meg Cabot.
Best Friend Next Door is written in a straightforward style that makes it a quick and easy read. Chapters alternate between the two girls' points of view so the reader gets to know both characters well, and conflicts that arise are seen from both sides. Some threads of the story feel forced - mainly the health condition of the girls' shared cat, and the appearance of Sophie late in the story and the resulting "three's a crowd" jealousy - but for the most part the development of the girls' friendship feels very real and natural, as does the involvement of their very present and refreshingly non-dysfunctional parents.
Carolyn Mackler has traditionally been more of a YA author, but this book is geared toward the lower end of the middle grade audience, probably grades 3 to 5. It will appeal especially to kids who are not yet interested in romance and dating, and who themselves have had a best friend. Read-alikes include the Friends for Keeps series by Julie Bowe and the Allie Finkle series by Meg Cabot.