Book Review: Real Friends by Shannon Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Real Friends by Shannon Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham, is a graphic novel that depicts the ups and downs of navigating friendships as a tween. Through Shannon's personal journey, readers are given a candid, funny, and at times heartbreaking look into the universal struggles of growing up.

In Real Friends, Shannon Hale reflects on her childhood struggles to fit in, find true friends, and deal with the complexities of family relationships. Through humor and vulnerability, she opens up about growing up, revealing both the heartache and lessons that come with navigating these formative years.

As a mother, reading this book struck a deep chord with me, especially as it captures the tough moments tween girls face. Shannon’s honesty about her struggles with friendships and sibling rivalry reminds me of the challenges my own children will face and it leaves me reflecting on how universal these struggles are. As someone who survived those tween years myself, the book felt like an echo of my own experiences. Shannon’s stories were so relatable, I could almost have written them myself. It’s a powerful reminder that these moments of loneliness and growth are shared by many.

Although Shannon’s childhood took place in the 70s and 80s, her experiences are still incredibly relevant today. The challenges she faces in the book, from finding true friends to understanding her own passions, are universal for tweens, no matter the decade. Real Friends offers valuable lessons for young readers—especially in the way it demonstrates that finding your tribe is a journey, and it’s important to stay true to yourself along the way.

One of the standout aspects of this book is Shannon’s candid and authentic storytelling. Her messages are clear and resonate deeply: you will find your true friends, and being yourself is crucial. She avoids generalizing tween girls and instead offers real, personal insights that make the book feel relatable to all young readers. It's a refreshing take on the complexity of friendships that feels both real and heartfelt.

However, one limitation of Real Friends is the time in which it’s set. The current online world—something that plays a massive role in the lives of today’s tweens, did not exist when Shannon was a tween. Issues like cyberbullying, social media pressure, and the difficulty of escaping online drama aren't addressed here. While the book is still highly relevant to young readers, this absence might make it feel incomplete for those navigating digital challenges. For those concerned about this, BaseCamp Girl is a great resource for exploring online-related struggles.

Additionally, Shannon’s Mormon background is woven into the narrative, and while it adds authenticity to her story, it may feel isolating for readers who don’t share that faith. For those who’ve had negative experiences with religion, the book’s references could detract from the core message, though others might find them enriching.

Overall, Real Friends is a heartwarming, relatable read that both tweens and their parents can appreciate. Shannon Hale’s authentic storytelling will spark meaningful conversations about friendships, self-worth, and the struggles we all face growing up. Whether read alone or as part of a family book club, it’s sure to inspire important discussions and remind every tween that they’re not alone in their journey.