Now in sixth grade, young Shannon is a member of “the Group,” an assortment of popular and pretty girls that most notably includes best friend and group ringleader Jen and unrelenting mean-girl Jenny. It is not easy being a young teen.After traveling the rocky road of elementary school friendship in Real Friends (2017), Hale returns with another graphic memoir delving even deeper into preteen tribulations. I hope that this book can give her hope for future happiness and to know that life will get better. The pictures of these events just make me more immersed and invested in this story.Conclusion: I know a young person who is living through a very similar scenario. For instance, big sister turns into a humongous and ferocious bear. The fantasy sequences were also so vibrant. I especially loved seeing the characters develop over time and the emotions she captures on their faces and body posture. I know, a lot of good information stuffed into this small book.Illustrations:The illustrations in this book are wonderful! Of course, this is a graphic novel and so the pictures are important for moving the story along. This book has multiple messages that I love: be yourself and you will find people who like you for you everyone struggles to find their place in the universe, even the most popular (the popularity game is exhausting) you don't have to be mean and exclusive to be popular, you can be nice popular and make everyone feel welcome don't be so involved with your own life that you ignore the struggles of others. For young people who are a little different or who don't want to follow the leader, fitting in is a constant struggle if not impossible. This is also a time of their life when friendship and fitting in is important. Adults have the whole world around them but young people are vulnerable to the whims of their extremely hierarchical and segregated society. Middle school life exists in a very isolated, small community of people. This book goes a long way in explaining her own journey and how she became so attuned to other people and their feelings.Plot:Shannon is a young girl struggling to find her place in the world. She really understands young people and has a depth of understanding about their emotions and motivations. This is a very personal book and is based on the author's own memories. I requested this graphic novel based solely on her name but was a little scared that it was a 'comic book' and wouldn't have the same depth as her other novels. Hale is an amazing author and I really love all her books. Real FriendsWritten by: Shannon HaleIllustrated by: LeUyen PhamI received an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.All i can say, on behalf of middle school parents everywhere, is 'thank you' for writing this book! Ms.

Shannon hale and leuyen pham