Bad Best Friend

December 1, 2019
An eighth grader's world is thrown into turmoil when her best friend publicly identifies another girl as such instead. Required to team up with a best friend in gym class, Niki's mortified when Ava chooses Britney, leaving Niki by default with "wonky, nerdy, wholesome" Holly, her best friend in third grade (before Ava moved here to Snug Island, Maine). Bonding with Holly and her friends holds little appeal. Niki's desperate to restore the status quo, but Ava won't answer her texts and now hangs out with the superpopular Squad. Confronted, Ava defends her behavior by attacking Niki, who's still mourning their lost friendship. Niki's social anxiety echoes her mother's. (She exhausts herself pretending that Niki's little brother, Danny, is doing fine; later, testing places him on the autism spectrum.) Niki feels guilty for repeatedly blowing off Holly, who single-handedly saves Danny's ninth birthday party. While Danny's needs and crises increasingly demand parental attention, Niki herself becomes a person of interest to neighbor and classmate Milo. Occasionally, the plot spirals into melodrama; Holly's mature intelligence and Ava's manipulative selfishness can seem excessive next to the perfect-pitch presentation of other characters, Niki especially. Danny--high-functioning but self-absorbed, sweet but annoying, impervious yet vulnerable--is an appealing standout among fictional characters on the spectrum, a fully rounded individual. Niki and her family are white, as are most--but not all--of her classmates. Vail's gift for channeling adolescent angst is the icing on this funny, moving tale. (Fiction. 10-14)

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February 24, 2020
Eighth graders Niki and Ava have been best friends since Ava moved to Snug Island, Maine, in third grade and claimed Niki from then-friend Holly. But now critical Ava needs a break. Niki strives to be what Ava wants, even as Ava begins hanging out with their class’s most popular girls. Holly works to befriend Niki again, despite their past, but Niki only wants Ava back—that and maybe to spend more time with her crush, Milo. Things at home are charged, too: Niki’s nine-year-old brother, Danny, has meltdowns that have led to the school asking that he be tested, while their mother tries to pretend everything is fine. It’s not until Niki attends a party where things go very wrong that she realizes what a good friend really is. The story contains powerful moments, and Niki is a relatable character, but it can be difficult to understand why she would want to remain friends with someone who is repeatedly unkind to her, and Ava’s sometimes overly explanatory dialogue makes her feel less developed than her counterpart. Ages 10–up.

March 1, 2020

Gr 5 Up-Eighth grader Niki Ames is trying to navigate the complexities of middle school friendship and feelings. Early on, she discovers her best friend, Ava, might not be her best friend after all. This sad realization prompts Niki to second-guess herself and her behaviors as she weighs each of her words and actions against how Ava may perceive her. She deals with the push-and-pull of texting; she regrets there isn't a delete for sending a message. She worries she'll tell people too much about her family, especially about her younger brother, who is on the autism spectrum. She has a loving and supportive family, but her brother's behavior can be challenging for both her and her parents. There is a plethora of middle school concerns that will prompt thought and discussion, including a first, and unwanted, kiss; maintaining and acquiring friendships; being and feeling left out; supporting siblings; and more. All are handled with Vail's deft hand and balanced with keen insight and a splash of humor. The story unfolds in Niki's authentic voice. The conflicts, though numerous, do not make this a "problem" novel but rather an insightful look at the dramas surrounding students in middle school. Readers will see good and bad elements of the many characters, just like real life, and will be curious to understand their behaviors. VERDICT This page-turning, solid friendship story will be savored by middle grade students. A welcome addition to library collections.-Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

hermionereader - I already reviewed this book, but I'm making a new review now that I've finished it. Let me tell you, this is officially my new favorite book. Ever. It has left such an impact on me, and I'm so extremely glad I found it. If you feel confused with your best friend sometimes, or maybe you've dealt with a friend who has ditched you before, this book is for you! I related to it so much and learned an insane amount of stuff on how I can become stronger next time a fight happens! The book is about a girl named Niki who has been best friends with a girl named Ava since third grade. Niki felt so happy when she met Ava because she was so naturally cool, and she had been, like, accepted by this cool person! That ends one day at PE though when Ava decides to go off with one of the popular girls apart of the "Squad" instead. Niki is so confused and hurt. Ava continues to hurt Niki, and when Niki rekindles a friendship with someone she knew before meeting Ava, she finally sees who her true friends are. She builds the strength to know she's good enough, and finally sees that she deserves more than she's getting.