“When I was little, I didn’t worry about friends.”

From Shannon Hale’s Real Friends.

As a middle child, Shannon often felt out of place at her home and the idea of facing school alone is terrifying for her. However, when Shannon meets Adrienne at the first day of kindergarten, the two girls become instant, inseparable best friends. Over the next few years, Shannon fights to keep her friendship with Adrienne which becomes more challenging when Adrienne is added to the Group, led by popular Jen. Shannon’s inclusion in the group is shaky since her own popularity wouldn’t be enough to be in the Group without her being Adrienne’s best friend. Over time, Shannon is able to connect more with Jen, but that friendship angers Jen’s best friend and Group second-in-command, Jenny, who then begins to bully Shannon. Unfortunately, school is not the only place where Shannon faces bullying as she often buts heads with her oldest sister Wendy at home. Fifth grade is especially rough for Shannon when she is abandoned by the Group and Adrienne changes schools, however when two sixth grade girls take Shannon under their wings, she discovers that there are other types of friendship and popularity than she’s ever realized.

This graphic novel memoir is endearing but also painful at times, especially when combined with the engaging artwork. Hale’s retelling of her childhood struggle to positively connect with friends will speak to readers that have experienced similar pain. While some situations are painful to watch unfold, the hope that Real Friends provides will stay with readers long after the story ends.