Best Friends

Name: Best Friends
Brand: Macmillan Audio
Availability: InStock
Author: Shannon Hale
ISBN: 9781250891716

Author: Shannon Hale

Series: Real Friends #2

Narrator: Carlotta Brentan, Dean Hale, Dinah Hale, Helen Laser, Jeremy Carlisle Parker, Mark Sanderlin, Marni Penning, Mia Jenness, Michael Crouch, Rob Brinkmann, Shannon Hale, Wren Hale

Unabridged: 3 hr 11 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Macmillan Young Listeners

Published: 08/08/2023

Categories: Children's Nonfiction, Comics & Graphic Novels, Social Topics, Friendship, Biographical

Synopsis

"Author Shannon Hale narrates as a full cast enacts the drama of her sixth-grade year in this adaptation of the middle volume of her graphic memoir trilogy. Portraying young Shannon, Mia Jenness evokes excitement, uncertainty, and hurt--painfully and exquisitely--as she picks her way through a friendship minefield."- AudioFile (Earphones Award Winner)

"...a stellar full cast presents a wonderfully immersive production, augmented with 1980s music, and background sound effects. The result is a sensational rollercoaster ride epitomizing the ups and downs of middle school relationships..."- School Library Journal

"A talented group of voice actors play Shannon's friends, rivals, crushes, teachers, and family members. Young actor Mia Jenness especially excels as the young Shannon. Captivating, skillfully mixed sound effects fill the air throughout, giving the scenes set on playgrounds and in schoolrooms an immersive feel."- Booklist

This program includes captivating sound design, music, and a multicast narration with twelve voice actors including the author, her husband, and her children. It also includes a bonus conversation between the author and her sixth-grade daughters reflecting on their shared experiences.

A national and New York Times Bestseller!

The creators of Real Friends Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham are back with a true story about popularity, first crushes, and finding your own path in Best Friends.

Follow your heart. Find your people.

Sixth grade is supposed to be perfect. Shannon’s got a sure spot in the in-crowd called The Group, and her best friend is their leader, Jen, the most popular girl in school.

But the rules are always changing, and Shannon has to scramble to keep up. She never knows which TV shows are cool, what songs to listen to, and who she’s allowed to talk to. Who makes these rules, anyway? And does Shannon have to follow them?

A School Library Journal Best Book of 2019
A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book of 2019
A National Public Radio (NPR) Best Book of 2019
One of NBC Today's 26 Best Kids' Books of 2019
2020 Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year List

A Macmillan Audio production from Roaring Brook Press.

About Shannon Hale

Shannon Hale is the Newbery Honor–winning and New York Times bestselling author of the Princess Academy series, The Books of Bayern, Book of a Thousand Days, Dangerous, and the graphic novels Rapunzel's Revengeand Calamity Jack, as well as the Ever After High and Princess in Black series, and the upcoming The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl for Marvel. She also wrote three novels for adults, including Austenland, now a major motion picture starring Keri Russell. She and her husband, the author Dean Hale, have four children and live near Salt Lake City, Utah.

About LeUyen Pham

Le Uyen Pham is the award-winning and best-selling illustrator of Julianne Moore's Freckleface books and theNew York Times bestseller Grace for President as well as Big Sister, Little Sister and many other favorites. See www.leuyenpham.com. LeUyen lives with her family in San Francisco, CA.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Tucker on May 23, 2020

Goodreads review by Jasmine on May 15, 2020

I didn't realize this book was the second to the series until I started to read it but it's okay to read as a stand-alone. I like the main character, Shannon because she appeared humble and nice. This book has some great advices about friendship. I liked how Shannon felt bad for gossiping and being......more

Goodreads review by Jessica on October 13, 2019

Kids can be such assholes. I believe every word of this book, and it made me kind of sad and upset. As if Shannon didn't have enough to deal with, having undiagnosed anxiety and OCD, she had to navigate the complete stupidity of friends who "test" you by asking you if you like other kids, and sudden......more

Goodreads review by Reading_ on November 16, 2022

The third volume of this graphic memoir is coming out this month! I like the first one so much. I wish I like the second volume as much but I feel the first was really good that I had my expectations set a little too high. Coming of age kinda part, I totally.enjoyed reading it.......more

Goodreads review by Truebluedah ♪ on September 05, 2019

12/4/18 Yasssssssss! YAS! YAS! *BANGS HEAD ON SCREEN* YASSSSSSSSSSSS IS THIS REAL? *BANG* YES! TIS REAL! Edit 9/5/19: I just read it last night in about an hour or so than stayed up till midnight marking each page with sticky notes for my review. Expect one soon! ;) MY REVIEW IS HERE.. See it on my blog: ht......more

Quotes

“Somehow, Hale and Pham have made the “normal girl” into the ultimate cool girl.” —The New York Times Book Review

“This uncommonly honest portrayal of the lures and pitfalls of popularity will likely ring true to many elementary and middle-school readers.” —Booklist, starred review

“A terrific look at middle school culture . . . This authentic, important book will mean a great deal to many kids.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“A must-read for fans of Raina Telgemeier or Victoria Jamieson . . . This glimpse into middle school is insightful, introspective, and important.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“A natural suggestion for fans of Cece Bell and Raina Telgemeier, this book offers an honest, empathetic, and encouraging narrative for young readers braving the ups and downs of the tween years.” —Horn Book

Praise for Real Friends:

“Fresh and funny.” —New York Times Book Review

“The book's truth is as vibrant as its art.” —Washington Post

"I have two boys, they love these books. They love to talk about the friendships, I love that I am discussing all of these issues through the lives of these girls. There is something about it that's so wonderful." —NPR

“Wistful, affecting, and utterly charming.” —Booklist, starred review

“A heart-stabbing tale of the everyday social agonies of girlhood.” —Wall Street Journal

“Shows us the incredible kindness and solidarity that girls can and do display.” —The Mary Sue

“Bound to resonate with most readers, especially fans of Raina Telgemeier.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“A wonderfully observed portrait of finding one’s place in your world.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Nails what it’s like to navigate elementary-school friendships.” —Parents Magazine

“Sure to be loved by anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.” —Victoria Jamieson, New York Times–bestselling and Newbery Honor author of Roller Girl

“Fresh, fun, and achingly real. Bravo!” —Jennifer L. Holm, New York Times–bestselling and Newbery Honor author and co-creator of Sunny Side Up and the Babymouse series

“This book is SO GOOD. SO MANY FEELS.” —Gene Luen Yang, American Born Chinese

Awards

NPR Best Book of the Year
Amazon.com Best Books of the Year