by John Kenney
First published 2018
Emily Anne starts fifth grade eager to learn and grow. She discovers classmates she never noticed before and reaches out to make new friendships. Her best friend Sandi reacts with hostility to Emily Anne's expanding social circle. Sandi dislikes Emily Anne's choice of friends and delivers an ultimatum that forces Emily Anne to examine their relationship. The conflict creates controversy and puts Emily Anne in an impossible position. She must choose between her old friend's demands and her desire to include others. As Emily Anne navigates this social minefield, she questions Sandi's controlling behavior. The friendship crisis becomes a test of Emily Anne's values and her understanding of what it means to treat others with kindness. Through confusion and heartache, she learns to live more fully and embrace the world around her.
Genres: family-life, friendship, contemporary, young-adult
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: friends-to-lovers, social-minefield
147 pages · Paperback · Independently published