What do you think?
Rate this book
The Friendship Lie
Description: Cora Davis's life is garbage. Literally. Her professor parents study what happens to trash after it gets thrown away, and Cora knows exactly how it feels--to be thrown away. Between her mom and dad separating and a fallout with her best friend, fifth grade for Cora has been a year of feeling like being tossed into the dumpster. But Cora has learned a couple of things from her parents' trash-tracking studies: Things don't always go where they're supposed to, and sometimes the things you thought you got rid of come back. And occasionally, one person's trash is another's treasure, which Cora and Sybella learn when they come across a diary detailing best-friendship problems. Told in two intertwining points of view, comes a warm, wry story of friendship, growing up, and being true to yourself. Written by Rebecca Donnelly, author of How to Stage a Catastrophe (an Indies Introduce and Indie Next List honoree), The Friendship Lie will speak to any reader who has struggled with what to hold on to and what to throw away.
Author Bio: Rebecca Donnelly was born in England, where she got to stand in the rain and wave at the Queen once, and at seven moved to California, where they don't do things like that. She holds an MLIS from San Jose State University. Rebecca runs a small rural library in upstate New York and has written for School Library Journal and The Horn Book. This is her debut middle-grade novel.
Author Bio: Rebecca Donnelly was born in England, where she got to stand in the rain and wave at the Queen once, and at seven moved to California, where they don't do things like that. She holds an MLIS from San Jose State University. Rebecca runs a small rural library in upstate New York and has written for School Library Journal and The Horn Book. This is her debut middle-grade novel.
272 pages, Unknown Binding
First published August 1, 2019
3 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
July 21, 2019
Cora is 11 years old and has a twin, Kyle. She also used to have a best friend, Sybella, who she met on the first day of second grade. The twins’ parents both work in environmental science.
Their father wants to “show the world what happened to the things it tried to get rid of.” However he appears positively clueless about how sad both of his kids are; while Cora is obviously sad throughout the book, Kyle hides his sadness behind a wall of positivity. I wasn’t a fan of either parent and found some of the father’s garbage related behaviour downright creepy.
I know it was all about the ongoing environmental message but the twins’ father continually bringing all of their neighbours’ garbage into their apartment and sorting through it in their bathtub horrified me. If I discovered my neighbour had been regularly stealing my trash and rummaging through it I would send them my own message, likely in the form of some very expired dairy product poured all over whatever I was discarding that week.
While there was some diversity included in story, with a teenage girl who has girlfriends and another character whose mother is white and father is black, it felt like its inclusion was token rather than having any bearing on the plot. Both topics were barely mentioned before disappearing from the narrative. Homelessness is also included in this story, mostly as a way to track a specific item’s movements through the book, and the opportunities to either make a point about homelessness or provide resolution for this specific character were missed.
I loved everything about Aquafaba and how it fit into the story, and I liked Auntie Lake. I wanted to hang out with Auntie Lake more. I think I would have really liked Kyle if his personality extended beyond loving dogs, and being the nicest and most positive person on the planet. On the flip side, I detested new girl Marnie from the first time I met her, both because she was so irritating but also because she was practically two dimensional and didn’t appear to have a back story.
The first half of the book is told exclusively from Cora’s point of view, starting with ‘After’ and then catching up to now with ‘Before’ chapters. There are a couple of chapters in the second half of the book from Sybella’s perspective, a character I liked much more than Cora. There are also diary entries from 1974 written by a then-seventh grade Penny and odd little public service announcements Cora leaves on her mother’s voicemail.
Since everyone is so garbage conscious in this book I wasn’t sure why the research assistants were setting up the Trashlympics in a way that created more trash, like using duct tape to mark the lanes for therelay race Trash and Dash. Given the other clubs the school was offering focused on art, robotics and gaming, I was surprised there was enough interest from elementary school aged kids for there to be a Trash Team in the first place.
Although there’s also some friendship drama thrown in as well, big chunks of the early part of this book felt like extended public service announcements for all things environmental - sustainability, making sure you put your trash in the correct bins, the problem of plastic in the ocean. I found the second half of the book interesting and this mostly made up for the parts in the first half where I really struggled to want to continue reading. However, had I not committed to reviewing this book I wouldn’t have continued reading long enough to get to the parts I enjoyed.
I expect if I was reading this book as an environmentally conscious 9 to 12 year old this could be an entirely different review. Maybe I’ve forgotten what is considered fun at that age. Maybe Trashlympics are one of those things. I’m interested to see what the actual target audience think about The Friendship Lie.
Thank you to NetGalley and Capstone for the opportunity to read this book.
Their dad ran a garbology project that studied what happened to peoples’ trash and recycling after they put it all in their curbside bins. Their mother worked on the technology that tracked each lucky piece of garbage that was part of the project.Now it’s the fifth grade and Cora and Kyle’s parents are divorcing. Their parents are so separated, in fact, that their mother is working in Belgium for a year while she thinks about the future. Meanwhile her kids are still in California and Cora thinks her life is garbage, what with her mother on the other side of the world and in the wrong time zone to be able to give Cora much needed advice about her friendship problems.
Their father wants to “show the world what happened to the things it tried to get rid of.” However he appears positively clueless about how sad both of his kids are; while Cora is obviously sad throughout the book, Kyle hides his sadness behind a wall of positivity. I wasn’t a fan of either parent and found some of the father’s garbage related behaviour downright creepy.
I know it was all about the ongoing environmental message but the twins’ father continually bringing all of their neighbours’ garbage into their apartment and sorting through it in their bathtub horrified me. If I discovered my neighbour had been regularly stealing my trash and rummaging through it I would send them my own message, likely in the form of some very expired dairy product poured all over whatever I was discarding that week.
While there was some diversity included in story, with a teenage girl who has girlfriends and another character whose mother is white and father is black, it felt like its inclusion was token rather than having any bearing on the plot. Both topics were barely mentioned before disappearing from the narrative. Homelessness is also included in this story, mostly as a way to track a specific item’s movements through the book, and the opportunities to either make a point about homelessness or provide resolution for this specific character were missed.
I loved everything about Aquafaba and how it fit into the story, and I liked Auntie Lake. I wanted to hang out with Auntie Lake more. I think I would have really liked Kyle if his personality extended beyond loving dogs, and being the nicest and most positive person on the planet. On the flip side, I detested new girl Marnie from the first time I met her, both because she was so irritating but also because she was practically two dimensional and didn’t appear to have a back story.
The first half of the book is told exclusively from Cora’s point of view, starting with ‘After’ and then catching up to now with ‘Before’ chapters. There are a couple of chapters in the second half of the book from Sybella’s perspective, a character I liked much more than Cora. There are also diary entries from 1974 written by a then-seventh grade Penny and odd little public service announcements Cora leaves on her mother’s voicemail.
Since everyone is so garbage conscious in this book I wasn’t sure why the research assistants were setting up the Trashlympics in a way that created more trash, like using duct tape to mark the lanes for the
Although there’s also some friendship drama thrown in as well, big chunks of the early part of this book felt like extended public service announcements for all things environmental - sustainability, making sure you put your trash in the correct bins, the problem of plastic in the ocean. I found the second half of the book interesting and this mostly made up for the parts in the first half where I really struggled to want to continue reading. However, had I not committed to reviewing this book I wouldn’t have continued reading long enough to get to the parts I enjoyed.
I expect if I was reading this book as an environmentally conscious 9 to 12 year old this could be an entirely different review. Maybe I’ve forgotten what is considered fun at that age. Maybe Trashlympics are one of those things. I’m interested to see what the actual target audience think about The Friendship Lie.
Thank you to NetGalley and Capstone for the opportunity to read this book.
April 11, 2019
Middle grade readers should enjoy and identify with this interesting friendship drama.
“One person can’t fix a problem that two people made.”
Cora and Kyle are twins entering fifth grade. They have been best friends with Sybella since second grade.
The three have invented an elaborate fantasy game together they call Aquafaba.
A new girl, Marnie, arrives on the first day of fifth grade, and the trouble begins....
For the first time ever, the friendship between Cora and Sybella is threatened.
Feelings are hurt, and misunderstandings occur as lies are spread. It seems the new girl Marnie is determined to come between the two girls at any cost.
Perhaps because Cora is undergoing challenges at home, she is extra sensitive to perceived slights from her friend, and unable to communicate her feelings. Will their friendship withstand these challenges?
Cora has been upset over changes at home...her parents have separated, and her mother is working in Belgium for a year. Cora feels this loss deeply, and needs her friend more than ever. She is facing the loss of both Sybella and her mother in this fiasco her fifth grade life has become.
The twins’ parents work in environmental science specializing in garbology at UC Berkeley. Their home lives reflect their parents’ dedication to reducing waste. Cora understands the future of the planet is at stake, yet her life seems to revolve around the handling of garbage. Is it any wonder she can’t help feeling as if she has been discarded like...well, a piece of garbage?
Thank you to Capstone Editions through NetGalley. I received a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
“One person can’t fix a problem that two people made.”
Cora and Kyle are twins entering fifth grade. They have been best friends with Sybella since second grade.
The three have invented an elaborate fantasy game together they call Aquafaba.
A new girl, Marnie, arrives on the first day of fifth grade, and the trouble begins....
For the first time ever, the friendship between Cora and Sybella is threatened.
Feelings are hurt, and misunderstandings occur as lies are spread. It seems the new girl Marnie is determined to come between the two girls at any cost.
Perhaps because Cora is undergoing challenges at home, she is extra sensitive to perceived slights from her friend, and unable to communicate her feelings. Will their friendship withstand these challenges?
Cora has been upset over changes at home...her parents have separated, and her mother is working in Belgium for a year. Cora feels this loss deeply, and needs her friend more than ever. She is facing the loss of both Sybella and her mother in this fiasco her fifth grade life has become.
The twins’ parents work in environmental science specializing in garbology at UC Berkeley. Their home lives reflect their parents’ dedication to reducing waste. Cora understands the future of the planet is at stake, yet her life seems to revolve around the handling of garbage. Is it any wonder she can’t help feeling as if she has been discarded like...well, a piece of garbage?
Thank you to Capstone Editions through NetGalley. I received a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 21, 2025
ARC provided by Young Adult Books Central
Cora and Kyle live in San Francisco with their father, who is an environmental scientist who studies where trash goes after it is discarded. Their mother is a similar scientist, and when the parents divorced, the mother took a year long assignment in Belgium. In addition to missing her mother, Cora is dealing with a misunderstanding between her and her best friend, Sybella. A new girl, Marnie, has started at the girls' school, and wants to be best friends with both of them, but Cora feels like Sybella is abandoning her. This is especially wrenching since the twins and Sybella shared an imaginery world called Aquafaba, and now Cora doesn't want to have much to do with it. When a poem written in a moment of weakness finds its way to Sybella's possession, Sybella doesn't know how to approach her friend about being accused of being a "friend abandoner". Since Sybella is working on some projects with Kyle, things are complicated. Marnie doesn't help, and is seemingly glad to have caused a rift between the friends. Will the best friends be able to make their way back to each other, or will they forever bag and bin their relationship?
The San Francisco setting of this book is quite charming, and the lengths to which the father wants to go to stop waste are admirable. From only letting the twins have one phone to limit e waste to not driving a car unless it can be fueled with compost, Dr. Davis' commitment to the environment is admirable. The school the children attends has a trashlympics, a competition for art made from found objects, and is also committed to sustainability. I wish there were more of this in children's literature; the more children are exposed to these themes, the more likely they are to practice recycling on their own.
Friendship drama is a big concern of fifth graders, and they handle it is a distinctly different way than their older middle school counterparts. Cora is devastated both by Sybella's actions and by her own thoughtlessness, and is worried from the start that Marnie might supplant her in Sybella's affections. The fact that an entire childhood imaginary world hangs in the balance makes this even more poignant.
Readers who like books that deal with the complexity of school and friends, like Clement's The Friendship War, Hunt's Fish in a Tree, Buyea's Mr. Terupt series and Russell's Dork Diaries will appreciate this thoughtful look at the dynamics of friends and family, and how the actions even of elementary students have a significant impact on the world at large.
This was a bit young for middle school, so I don't know that I will purchase.
Cora and Kyle live in San Francisco with their father, who is an environmental scientist who studies where trash goes after it is discarded. Their mother is a similar scientist, and when the parents divorced, the mother took a year long assignment in Belgium. In addition to missing her mother, Cora is dealing with a misunderstanding between her and her best friend, Sybella. A new girl, Marnie, has started at the girls' school, and wants to be best friends with both of them, but Cora feels like Sybella is abandoning her. This is especially wrenching since the twins and Sybella shared an imaginery world called Aquafaba, and now Cora doesn't want to have much to do with it. When a poem written in a moment of weakness finds its way to Sybella's possession, Sybella doesn't know how to approach her friend about being accused of being a "friend abandoner". Since Sybella is working on some projects with Kyle, things are complicated. Marnie doesn't help, and is seemingly glad to have caused a rift between the friends. Will the best friends be able to make their way back to each other, or will they forever bag and bin their relationship?
The San Francisco setting of this book is quite charming, and the lengths to which the father wants to go to stop waste are admirable. From only letting the twins have one phone to limit e waste to not driving a car unless it can be fueled with compost, Dr. Davis' commitment to the environment is admirable. The school the children attends has a trashlympics, a competition for art made from found objects, and is also committed to sustainability. I wish there were more of this in children's literature; the more children are exposed to these themes, the more likely they are to practice recycling on their own.
Friendship drama is a big concern of fifth graders, and they handle it is a distinctly different way than their older middle school counterparts. Cora is devastated both by Sybella's actions and by her own thoughtlessness, and is worried from the start that Marnie might supplant her in Sybella's affections. The fact that an entire childhood imaginary world hangs in the balance makes this even more poignant.
Readers who like books that deal with the complexity of school and friends, like Clement's The Friendship War, Hunt's Fish in a Tree, Buyea's Mr. Terupt series and Russell's Dork Diaries will appreciate this thoughtful look at the dynamics of friends and family, and how the actions even of elementary students have a significant impact on the world at large.
This was a bit young for middle school, so I don't know that I will purchase.
July 26, 2019
Friendships in 5th grade are complicated, as Cora is just starting to discover. This was supposed to be the best year for her, her twin brother, Kyle, and her best friend, Sybella, but things have gone terribly wrong. When a misunderstanding that neither Cora or Sybella fully understands comes between them, they're not sure how to find their way back to each other. Even the school's Trash Team Trashlympics and art project, which the friends had assumed they'd be doing together, couldn't help them overcome the gulf between them. Sometimes, best friends need a little bit of help, and perspective, to realize they're meant to be together.
I love how the author respects the difficulties of friendship at such a challenging age, and explores the wide range of emotions that the girls (and Kyle being stuck in the middle) experience. I also love the unseen forces at work to help that impact their relationship. Cora is a character that it might take a while to warm up to, but who is complex and tenderhearted.
This is the first time I've read a middle grade book with a strong focus on sustainability, and I really enjoyed learning about the steps that some people are taking to less wasteful and more environmentally conscious.
I'd definitely recommend this book, and have added it to my library's collection to share with patrons.
I love how the author respects the difficulties of friendship at such a challenging age, and explores the wide range of emotions that the girls (and Kyle being stuck in the middle) experience. I also love the unseen forces at work to help that impact their relationship. Cora is a character that it might take a while to warm up to, but who is complex and tenderhearted.
This is the first time I've read a middle grade book with a strong focus on sustainability, and I really enjoyed learning about the steps that some people are taking to less wasteful and more environmentally conscious.
I'd definitely recommend this book, and have added it to my library's collection to share with patrons.
May 26, 2019
Cora has the best twin brother, but she also has a mom who has moved to Belgium to think about her future, divorced parents, and friend trouble. Those are all great elements for a middle grades, realistic fiction, pre-teen angst-filled novel. But there is also a very childish sounding pretend world called Aquafaba and frequent time jumps as the story goes from present to past scenes that happen as Cora’s friendship with Sybella disintegrates. There’s also a diary of a teen who is recording her own friendship issues. And brother Kyle wants a dog but the landlord doesn’t allow them in the building. Trash recycling and sustainability information abound and college kids Dani and Juniper add more elements to an already erratic plot. I really hoped this would be another book to offer my 4th and 5th grade girls who flock to books that reflect the insecurities and frequent emotional upheavals common to the age. Unfortunately, I found it to be filled with far too many plot threads and Cora’s whining and pouting began to grate on my nerves after a while. I cannot speak to the book’s resolution because I only read about 65% of it. However, if your library is looking for diversity, Sybella is bi-racial and Dani is a lesbian, although there are only small references to her girlfriend and no overtly sexual content. There was no profanity or violence in the portion of the book that I read. Thanks for the dARC, NetGalley.
July 9, 2019
A big thank you to NetGalley and Capstone Books for sending me an advanced e-copy of The Friendship Lie” in exchange for my review.
There are a few things about the story that I liked. Firstly, I loved the whole concept of introducing Garbology to the plot. I had never heard of the term before, and it was very interesting to see how people research garbage to study human behavior as a science. I really enjoyed how the author smoothly introduced this in the story-line. The author also makes the concept seem fun to the readers by introducing games like “Trashlympics” and “Capture the Trash”. It really highlights how important recycling is to the environment and for a better future.
In terms of the story, I really liked the main characters. They are all distinct and unique in their own manner which sets them apart. Personally, I liked Kyle the best for his optimism and positivism. However, I really despised the mother for not being there for her children or putting their needs on priority. I also enjoyed the parallel story that takes place between Penny Ellen and Lulu. On a side note, I also love the name Sybella!
I had two minor issues with the book though. The main aspect which I did not like what it was way too slow. Although the plot is interesting, it drags a lot and seems like nothing new happens. Cora keeps moping about missing Sybella again and again. Also, I felt disappointed when the author reveals as to why the two friends separated. The author made a very impressive buildup of the two friends not being friends anymore, but when the reveal happens, it made me feel like the characters over reacted over it.
But, apart from that, this was a very cute story about how strong a friendship can last between two friends. I think younger readers would enjoy reading this one.
There are a few things about the story that I liked. Firstly, I loved the whole concept of introducing Garbology to the plot. I had never heard of the term before, and it was very interesting to see how people research garbage to study human behavior as a science. I really enjoyed how the author smoothly introduced this in the story-line. The author also makes the concept seem fun to the readers by introducing games like “Trashlympics” and “Capture the Trash”. It really highlights how important recycling is to the environment and for a better future.
In terms of the story, I really liked the main characters. They are all distinct and unique in their own manner which sets them apart. Personally, I liked Kyle the best for his optimism and positivism. However, I really despised the mother for not being there for her children or putting their needs on priority. I also enjoyed the parallel story that takes place between Penny Ellen and Lulu. On a side note, I also love the name Sybella!
I had two minor issues with the book though. The main aspect which I did not like what it was way too slow. Although the plot is interesting, it drags a lot and seems like nothing new happens. Cora keeps moping about missing Sybella again and again. Also, I felt disappointed when the author reveals as to why the two friends separated. The author made a very impressive buildup of the two friends not being friends anymore, but when the reveal happens, it made me feel like the characters over reacted over it.
But, apart from that, this was a very cute story about how strong a friendship can last between two friends. I think younger readers would enjoy reading this one.
February 8, 2025
I liked this book a lot, it was so sweet and sentimental and it reminded me how precious friendship is. Also, the main characters imaginary kingdom Aquafaba, was my favorite part of the story. It was really cool to see that girls Cora and Syabella’s (they are the main characters) still have such a bright imagination at there age and weren’t afraid of being made fun of by it.
May 24, 2019
Thank you to Capstone for sharing an ARC of The Friendship Lie by Rebecca Donnelly.
Middle grade friendships can run the gamut from fantastic support systems to destructively influential. Cora and Sybella's friendship is strong and positive...until it isn't. As the story unfolds, we find that there are a number of variables that play into the end of their friendship, but one thing remains the same throughout: both are devastated at the loss. Both try to fix it, with varying results. Both are suffering and bewildered at the turn in their friendship.
In addition to losing her best friend, Cora is working through her mom having moved abroad for a year. Cora's parents' marriage is dissolving, and Cora is missing her mom tremendously. Her twin brother is a happy people pleaser, but even he can't bring Cora out of the funk these changes have thrown her into.
This is what I love about this book: Cora is miserable, sulking and negative tween miserable. I've read so many books in which the main character goes through bouts of misery, but Cora is basically static in her grumpiness. I love it! She has many redeeming qualities, but I was appreciating how Donnelly gave Cora the chance to revel in her negativity. Kids need that. In a world that increasingly worships the shiny goodness that social media constantly highlights, The Friendship Lie allows people to not particularly enjoy parts of their life.
And can I talk about the thread centered on garbage? Cora's parents' careers are both based on garbage and how we can reduce, reuse, recycle. Cora spends Friday nights analyzing the garbage produced by her apartment building. Is it any wonder that she's quick to think her life is fully of waste?
I recommend this book to budding environmentalists, but also to any child navigating the complicated land of MG friendships. They run the gamut, it's true, but they are always evolving and changing. This book is an examination of transformation, and what in life is worth keeping.
Middle grade friendships can run the gamut from fantastic support systems to destructively influential. Cora and Sybella's friendship is strong and positive...until it isn't. As the story unfolds, we find that there are a number of variables that play into the end of their friendship, but one thing remains the same throughout: both are devastated at the loss. Both try to fix it, with varying results. Both are suffering and bewildered at the turn in their friendship.
In addition to losing her best friend, Cora is working through her mom having moved abroad for a year. Cora's parents' marriage is dissolving, and Cora is missing her mom tremendously. Her twin brother is a happy people pleaser, but even he can't bring Cora out of the funk these changes have thrown her into.
This is what I love about this book: Cora is miserable, sulking and negative tween miserable. I've read so many books in which the main character goes through bouts of misery, but Cora is basically static in her grumpiness. I love it! She has many redeeming qualities, but I was appreciating how Donnelly gave Cora the chance to revel in her negativity. Kids need that. In a world that increasingly worships the shiny goodness that social media constantly highlights, The Friendship Lie allows people to not particularly enjoy parts of their life.
And can I talk about the thread centered on garbage? Cora's parents' careers are both based on garbage and how we can reduce, reuse, recycle. Cora spends Friday nights analyzing the garbage produced by her apartment building. Is it any wonder that she's quick to think her life is fully of waste?
I recommend this book to budding environmentalists, but also to any child navigating the complicated land of MG friendships. They run the gamut, it's true, but they are always evolving and changing. This book is an examination of transformation, and what in life is worth keeping.
August 16, 2019
Friendships in 5th grade are complicated, as Cora is just starting to discover. This was supposed to be the best year for her, her twin brother, Kyle, and her best friend, Sybella, but things have gone terribly wrong. When a misunderstanding that neither Cora or Sybella fully understands comes between them, they're not sure how to find their way back to each other. Even the school's Trash Team Trashlympics and art project, which the friends had assumed they'd be doing together, couldn't help them overcome the gulf between them. Sometimes, best friends need a little bit of help, and perspective, to realize they're meant to be together.
I love how the author respects the difficulties of friendship at such a challenging age, and explores the wide range of emotions that the girls (and Kyle being stuck in the middle) experience. I also love the unseen forces at work to help that impact their relationship. Cora is a character that it might take a while to warm up to, but who is complex and tenderhearted.
This is the first time I've read a middle grade book with a strong focus on sustainability, and I really enjoyed learning about the steps that some people are taking to less wasteful and more environmentally conscious.
I'd definitely recommend this book, and have added it to my library's collection to share with patrons.
I love how the author respects the difficulties of friendship at such a challenging age, and explores the wide range of emotions that the girls (and Kyle being stuck in the middle) experience. I also love the unseen forces at work to help that impact their relationship. Cora is a character that it might take a while to warm up to, but who is complex and tenderhearted.
This is the first time I've read a middle grade book with a strong focus on sustainability, and I really enjoyed learning about the steps that some people are taking to less wasteful and more environmentally conscious.
I'd definitely recommend this book, and have added it to my library's collection to share with patrons.
September 25, 2019
DNF
Cora, her twin brother Kyle, and their friend Sybella have been inseparable since the second grade. As they start fifth grade, though, conflict arises between Cora and Sybella, and their best-friendship seems doomed. Told through the perspectives of both girls, Rebecca Donnelly’s The Friendship Lie is a story for young readers who’re realizing that relationships aren’t always simple.
The story unfolds in non-linear chapters titled by their place in relation to “the event.”
Cora, her twin brother Kyle, and their friend Sybella have been inseparable since the second grade. As they start fifth grade, though, conflict arises between Cora and Sybella, and their best-friendship seems doomed. Told through the perspectives of both girls, Rebecca Donnelly’s The Friendship Lie is a story for young readers who’re realizing that relationships aren’t always simple.
The story unfolds in non-linear chapters titled by their place in relation to “the event.”
August 5, 2019
My sincere thanks to Capstone and NetGalley for approving this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. The Friendship Lie is Rebecca Donnelly’s debut middle grade novel. The story follows the friendship of Cora and Sybella, two 5th graders who (along with Kyle, Cora’s twin brother) created an elaborate fantasy world they named Aquafaba. They are incredibly committed to this world and the it grows and changes as their imaginations take flight. Cora and Kyle’s parents (who specialize in garbology at UC Berkeley) decide to separate and their mother moves to Belgium for short-term job, leaving Cora feeling extra sensitive. It’s right around this time that a talkative new girl named Marnie arrives at school, desperate to be included. But Cora and Sybella both give her the cold shoulder using secret code words and sneaky tactics to hide during lunch. However, there’s a miscommunication between Cora and Sybella that leave them both hurt, confused, and unable to seek resolution. Meanwhile, a 40-year-old diary turns up in a trash pile and reveals a past friendship-gone-wrong. Cora and Sybella both wonder what ever happened to that pained relationship from the diary since they see similarities to their current situation. Will their creative shared childhood spent in Aquafaba be enough to heal their pain and bridge the gap?
Outside of the friendship component, one fantastic part of this story was the focus on environmental science. We witness sincere dedication to reducing family waste AND the waste of all their neighbors. And I learned some interesting tidbits throughout this story (why have I never heard of biodegradable pasta straws??) all while considering some fun, educational activities to get children involved in reducing waste.
Maybe it’s the mama-of-five in me, but I felt badly for Marnie. Yes, she was annoying. And yes, her introduction to Aquafaba would have been a huge, frustrating disruption. But in the end, I hope middle grade readers take a moment to discuss how differently things might have gone if she hadn’t been ignored. It’s really not a bad idea to develop friendships with more than one person throughout your childhood.
Overall, I enjoyed this story and flew through it, anxious and hopeful to see resolution. Also… EVERYONE needs an Auntie Lake!! Read this one and tell me you don’t just love her! ❤
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
Outside of the friendship component, one fantastic part of this story was the focus on environmental science. We witness sincere dedication to reducing family waste AND the waste of all their neighbors. And I learned some interesting tidbits throughout this story (why have I never heard of biodegradable pasta straws??) all while considering some fun, educational activities to get children involved in reducing waste.
Maybe it’s the mama-of-five in me, but I felt badly for Marnie. Yes, she was annoying. And yes, her introduction to Aquafaba would have been a huge, frustrating disruption. But in the end, I hope middle grade readers take a moment to discuss how differently things might have gone if she hadn’t been ignored. It’s really not a bad idea to develop friendships with more than one person throughout your childhood.
Overall, I enjoyed this story and flew through it, anxious and hopeful to see resolution. Also… EVERYONE needs an Auntie Lake!! Read this one and tell me you don’t just love her! ❤
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
April 2, 2019
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. I also loved how open the book was, how relevant it is in today's world.
Cora was such an amazing character for me, one that I saw a lot of myself in when I was that age. She was scared and angry and sad and happy and just this big rollercoaster of emotions that I guarantee many kids and adults will relate to. I know I would have related just as much, if not a whole lot more, when I was a kid.
The book itself is great in looking at friendship, love and family. It's also a great book in looking at the environmental impact our waste has, and I gotta say, I did actually learn some things about recycling and waste myself and I did think I was pretty environmentally concious.
If I had one criticism of this book, it's that it felt a little jumbled up. The book switches to different parts in the story as you go forward which it does do a pretty good job of as I felt you learned more of the characters then you figured out the whole story, but in some places it felt out of place when starting a new chapter.
Moving on I just wanted to say how greatful I was for Rebecca Donnelly for her incorporation of representation that was never questioned or made to feel out of place, it was just treated like a normal thing, which it should be. Cora's best friend, has one white and one black parent, who as a family unfortunately, as Cora tells us, sometimes get stared at as being different.
Another moment I loved was Dani being LGBTQI and having a girlfriend, which is only mentioned once, which is great as it wasn't considered her defining characteristic and again I just have to say how much I love that it wasn't considered such a big deal.
Cora and Kyle's parents are also divorcing which you do see how Cora is feeling about it and I think it is great for children to be exposed to those situations and see how someone else goes throu it.
If you are a teacher or librarian or parent or teen or kid, do yourself a favour and pick up this book. It had so much in it that you dont see often enough in middle grade. It has so many lessons to teach and can start so many conversations.
In all the middle grade books I've read, this is easily in my top 5. It was so easy to read, it kept you turning the page and I guarantee anyone and everyone can learn something from this book, big or small.
*I was given an ARC of this by the publisher however that does not sway or change my views on this book at all.
Cora was such an amazing character for me, one that I saw a lot of myself in when I was that age. She was scared and angry and sad and happy and just this big rollercoaster of emotions that I guarantee many kids and adults will relate to. I know I would have related just as much, if not a whole lot more, when I was a kid.
The book itself is great in looking at friendship, love and family. It's also a great book in looking at the environmental impact our waste has, and I gotta say, I did actually learn some things about recycling and waste myself and I did think I was pretty environmentally concious.
If I had one criticism of this book, it's that it felt a little jumbled up. The book switches to different parts in the story as you go forward which it does do a pretty good job of as I felt you learned more of the characters then you figured out the whole story, but in some places it felt out of place when starting a new chapter.
Moving on I just wanted to say how greatful I was for Rebecca Donnelly for her incorporation of representation that was never questioned or made to feel out of place, it was just treated like a normal thing, which it should be. Cora's best friend, has one white and one black parent, who as a family unfortunately, as Cora tells us, sometimes get stared at as being different.
Another moment I loved was Dani being LGBTQI and having a girlfriend, which is only mentioned once, which is great as it wasn't considered her defining characteristic and again I just have to say how much I love that it wasn't considered such a big deal.
Cora and Kyle's parents are also divorcing which you do see how Cora is feeling about it and I think it is great for children to be exposed to those situations and see how someone else goes throu it.
If you are a teacher or librarian or parent or teen or kid, do yourself a favour and pick up this book. It had so much in it that you dont see often enough in middle grade. It has so many lessons to teach and can start so many conversations.
In all the middle grade books I've read, this is easily in my top 5. It was so easy to read, it kept you turning the page and I guarantee anyone and everyone can learn something from this book, big or small.
*I was given an ARC of this by the publisher however that does not sway or change my views on this book at all.
August 8, 2019
Interest Level: 3-6; Reading Level: 5.6
Have you and your best friend ever had a fight? How would you feel if your best friend replaced you with another friend? What if things just fell apart and you don't really understand why? This is exactly what happened to Cora and Sybella. When Cora and her twin brother, Kyle, created an imaginary land, it was supposed to be their secret. But when Sybella overhears them, she joins in and their twosome changed to three. They are now going into fifth grade and Cora and Sybella are placed in different classes. This shouldn't be a problem until a new girl shows up and starts to put a wedge in their friendship. Then one day, they just quit being friends. Cora is a quiet soul so when she loses her best friend and then sees her with another friend, she just shuts down. Even Kyle can't get in. On top of everything else, her parents have gotten a divorce and her mom has taken a new job out of the country so she doesn't get to talk to her about all that is going on. When the girls each get a piece of the same diary, a diary from many, many years ago in which two best friends are torn apart because a new girl put a wedge between them, can they use this to help their friendship? Read this wonderful story about family, friendship, love, loss, and how to navigate friendship at such a difficult time in life.
Follow me:
Blog - Blazer Tales - https://blazertales.com/
Facebook - Laurie’s Library Place - https://www.facebook.com/LauriesLibra...
Instagram - laurieslibrary - https://www.instagram.com/laurieslibr...
Twitter - @laurieevans27 https://twitter.com/laurieevans27?lan...
Goodreads - Laurie Purser - https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/auburngirl2...
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCulD...
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-ev...
Have you and your best friend ever had a fight? How would you feel if your best friend replaced you with another friend? What if things just fell apart and you don't really understand why? This is exactly what happened to Cora and Sybella. When Cora and her twin brother, Kyle, created an imaginary land, it was supposed to be their secret. But when Sybella overhears them, she joins in and their twosome changed to three. They are now going into fifth grade and Cora and Sybella are placed in different classes. This shouldn't be a problem until a new girl shows up and starts to put a wedge in their friendship. Then one day, they just quit being friends. Cora is a quiet soul so when she loses her best friend and then sees her with another friend, she just shuts down. Even Kyle can't get in. On top of everything else, her parents have gotten a divorce and her mom has taken a new job out of the country so she doesn't get to talk to her about all that is going on. When the girls each get a piece of the same diary, a diary from many, many years ago in which two best friends are torn apart because a new girl put a wedge between them, can they use this to help their friendship? Read this wonderful story about family, friendship, love, loss, and how to navigate friendship at such a difficult time in life.
Follow me:
Blog - Blazer Tales - https://blazertales.com/
Facebook - Laurie’s Library Place - https://www.facebook.com/LauriesLibra...
Instagram - laurieslibrary - https://www.instagram.com/laurieslibr...
Twitter - @laurieevans27 https://twitter.com/laurieevans27?lan...
Goodreads - Laurie Purser - https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/auburngirl2...
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCulD...
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-ev...
February 13, 2019
I had the opportunity to read a NetGalley digital ARC of this middle grade novel in exchange for a review. Middle grade readers will definitely be able to relate to the ups and downs of friendship at this sensitive age. At this age, kids can be friends one minute and enemies the next, and usually the rift in the friendship is over a misunderstanding. Once the relationship suffers this kind of blow, it can be really hard for both former friends to extend themselves and/or apologize for what happened.
Cora and Sybella have been best friends since second grade when Sybella was a new student and Cora brought her into the imaginary world she inhabited with her twin brother, Kyle. Through the years, the three were inseparable. But when they entered fifth grade and were assigned to separate classrooms, they also started to pursue separate interests and there were strains placed on the friendship by Marnie, new to the school. Add to that Cora’s unhappiness over her parents’ divorce and her mom’s yearlong job in Belgium, and a simple mistake blows up into a huge chasm in her friendship with Sybella.
This friendship drama is set against the backdrop of Cora’s father’s work as a garbologist at the University of California. The family’s efforts to use less, recycle more, and keep trash to a minimum along with Cora’s participation on the Trash Team at school could definitely inspire kids to hold their own “Trashlympics” and “Capture the Trash” events in their own communities. At the least it might help kids think about how to minimize their own impact on the environment.
This book comes out in August and would be a good realistic fiction book to have on the shelf. It would be good for readers who enjoy relationship drama, particularly for those in grades five and up.
Cora and Sybella have been best friends since second grade when Sybella was a new student and Cora brought her into the imaginary world she inhabited with her twin brother, Kyle. Through the years, the three were inseparable. But when they entered fifth grade and were assigned to separate classrooms, they also started to pursue separate interests and there were strains placed on the friendship by Marnie, new to the school. Add to that Cora’s unhappiness over her parents’ divorce and her mom’s yearlong job in Belgium, and a simple mistake blows up into a huge chasm in her friendship with Sybella.
This friendship drama is set against the backdrop of Cora’s father’s work as a garbologist at the University of California. The family’s efforts to use less, recycle more, and keep trash to a minimum along with Cora’s participation on the Trash Team at school could definitely inspire kids to hold their own “Trashlympics” and “Capture the Trash” events in their own communities. At the least it might help kids think about how to minimize their own impact on the environment.
This book comes out in August and would be a good realistic fiction book to have on the shelf. It would be good for readers who enjoy relationship drama, particularly for those in grades five and up.
July 18, 2019
[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
Great friendship story! Lots of rich pieces in this that would make it ideal for book groups or a classroom read aloud (around 4th-8th grade). The garbology pieces are also places where families or schools could get involved in recycling/sustainability/environmental issues. This book feels like something so much bigger than just something you read and then move on from - or it can be.
If you are looking for a friendship story that encourages readers to open up communication when friendship issues arise, this gives some great examples. There are outside factors that are also at play in this friendship fracture, but the story keeps the focus on the main characters and what they can/could do to repair their relationship.
Some readers may struggle to track some of the book's events. There are two main timelines - "before" and "now" - and two characters primarily telling the story. There is also a 40-year-old diary that becomes part of the story, and a couple scenes related to that are outside the perspective of Cora and Sybella. Reading this aloud in a classroom would help those students track the various threads of the story.
Great friendship story! Lots of rich pieces in this that would make it ideal for book groups or a classroom read aloud (around 4th-8th grade). The garbology pieces are also places where families or schools could get involved in recycling/sustainability/environmental issues. This book feels like something so much bigger than just something you read and then move on from - or it can be.
If you are looking for a friendship story that encourages readers to open up communication when friendship issues arise, this gives some great examples. There are outside factors that are also at play in this friendship fracture, but the story keeps the focus on the main characters and what they can/could do to repair their relationship.
Some readers may struggle to track some of the book's events. There are two main timelines - "before" and "now" - and two characters primarily telling the story. There is also a 40-year-old diary that becomes part of the story, and a couple scenes related to that are outside the perspective of Cora and Sybella. Reading this aloud in a classroom would help those students track the various threads of the story.
August 24, 2019
I recieved a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a great idea for probably around 4th graders... young readers who are environmentally aware, but who can read past that to the conclusion. There really is a great lesson in this book about getting to the bottom of misunderstandings, and the struggle to apologize even when it's hard to admit part of the fault.
That being said, the ending saved this book's rating for me. I am pretty sure part of the purpose of this book was to encourage recycling and be an positive sustainability example, but I almost feel like the story line turned out to be the minor point of the book. All of the recycling and garbage talk was overpowering to the point of the story. I also do not know if it was just my ARC copy, but I struggled to follow the timeline of the book, because it hops back and forth, with no warning. One chapter you're reading about March, and another chapter you're back in the previous September, with no warning. Perhaps the final printed copy has more helpful chapter direction or information.
The conclusion was decent. The conflict was resolved, a tiny bit more insight into a cpuple of the characters... it really helped to shore up some of the questions I had.
This book is a great idea for probably around 4th graders... young readers who are environmentally aware, but who can read past that to the conclusion. There really is a great lesson in this book about getting to the bottom of misunderstandings, and the struggle to apologize even when it's hard to admit part of the fault.
That being said, the ending saved this book's rating for me. I am pretty sure part of the purpose of this book was to encourage recycling and be an positive sustainability example, but I almost feel like the story line turned out to be the minor point of the book. All of the recycling and garbage talk was overpowering to the point of the story. I also do not know if it was just my ARC copy, but I struggled to follow the timeline of the book, because it hops back and forth, with no warning. One chapter you're reading about March, and another chapter you're back in the previous September, with no warning. Perhaps the final printed copy has more helpful chapter direction or information.
The conclusion was decent. The conflict was resolved, a tiny bit more insight into a cpuple of the characters... it really helped to shore up some of the questions I had.
May 4, 2019
Told from the points of view of Cora and her friend Sybella, this is a perfect middle school book to teach about the value of a lasting friendship. Cora is lonely because her mom has moved to Europe to do research and it seems that Sybella is not as close a friend any longer. Cora’s reaction to Sybella’s distancing herself is a lesson to all of us that we have to communicate to really know what is going on. There are diary entries and messages that Cora desperately sends to her mother that make the book flow and move along in a quick pace. I think that middle school students can learn a valuable lesson in this book about friendship as well as a lot of information about recycling.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
April 10, 2019
I think I'm judging mostly on the way I feel after I finished this book. It left me with a very sweet feeling, a relatable, heartbroken reminder of the difficulties of early friendships. I think that central idea - that friendships are more difficult to maintain and retain than we think - was worthwhile and handled nicely. But looking back on it, I wonder about the choice to have the falling out (or fallings out) be chalked up to purposefully meddling new girls; I felt, especially on the part of Cora and Sybella, that element didn't feel like a real experience (and although the annoying tagalong did, I wish there had been some expansion on Marnie so she had more dimension). The premise that felt so relatable falls apart a bit as the background is unraveled. I also wish they had unpacked the piece about Cora and Kyle's parents a bit more; that felt somewhat shallowly dealt with. Overall, a solid middle grade friendship book although not without flaws.
August 5, 2019
I found this book enjoyable and enlightening in regards to recycling. In being a substitute teacher, I have learned that fifth grade is a lot harder than I remember and The Friendship Lie shows that very well. More and more kids deal with situations that when I was younger were few and far between like parents splitting and one moving away and I am not talking about just across town. Kids worry more about the environment than ever before. They understand that we are depleting our natural resources and there is no way to recreate. They also start realizing that once what bound them to their best friend may not be something they like or enjoy anymore. They start coming into their own person.
Donnelly has done a good job in showing all the dynamics above between Cora and Sybella. The most important lesson taught in this book is that sometimes all it takes is a conversation to clear the air in a positive light but sometimes that conversation is the hardest thing of all to start.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Capstone, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
Donnelly has done a good job in showing all the dynamics above between Cora and Sybella. The most important lesson taught in this book is that sometimes all it takes is a conversation to clear the air in a positive light but sometimes that conversation is the hardest thing of all to start.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Capstone, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
February 15, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley & Capstone for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book so much. The characters were so loveable and the plot was amazing. Even though this is a middle grade book, it thought really important lessons in such a nice way. The main topic of the book might be friendship but it talked (even if not in depth) about divorce and how hard it can be for a kid to deal with it. I loved the narrative so much, it was so nice to read and it thought really important lessons. It’s really nice, also, that we got to see the story of the argument from both Sybella and Cora’s point and it was fun to try and connect the dots about what happened. I also adored how the diary ties everything together and the parallels were really nice to see as well! This is certainly a must-read for MG readers.
I loved this book so much. The characters were so loveable and the plot was amazing. Even though this is a middle grade book, it thought really important lessons in such a nice way. The main topic of the book might be friendship but it talked (even if not in depth) about divorce and how hard it can be for a kid to deal with it. I loved the narrative so much, it was so nice to read and it thought really important lessons. It’s really nice, also, that we got to see the story of the argument from both Sybella and Cora’s point and it was fun to try and connect the dots about what happened. I also adored how the diary ties everything together and the parallels were really nice to see as well! This is certainly a must-read for MG readers.
March 18, 2019
The Friendship Lie By Rebecca Donnelly
Cora’s dad is a Garbologist at the Univeristy of California and her whole family tries to use less and recycle more to reduce waste.
She struggles to come to grips with a lot of changes in her world including starting 5th grade, divorce, and a big fight with a friend. At this age (9-10) it’s hard to navigate fights with friends and how to make up or move on, and this book handles it all really well.
Readers bounce from the time before the fight to the time after the fight back and forth so the reader doesn’t really know what happened in the fight till the end.
I remember my first fight with best friend at that age, and this book does a good job exploring how Cora deals with all those feelings and helps young readers find their place and role in the world.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
Cora’s dad is a Garbologist at the Univeristy of California and her whole family tries to use less and recycle more to reduce waste.
She struggles to come to grips with a lot of changes in her world including starting 5th grade, divorce, and a big fight with a friend. At this age (9-10) it’s hard to navigate fights with friends and how to make up or move on, and this book handles it all really well.
Readers bounce from the time before the fight to the time after the fight back and forth so the reader doesn’t really know what happened in the fight till the end.
I remember my first fight with best friend at that age, and this book does a good job exploring how Cora deals with all those feelings and helps young readers find their place and role in the world.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
May 20, 2019
I received an electronic ARC from Capstone through NetGalley.
Interesting family background for this story. Cora's parents are Garbologists who study garbage and recycling and ways to protect the earth. Cora and Kyle are twins struggling with their parent's divorce and their mom's move to Belgium for a year.
The book begins near the end of the story after the friendship traumas have taken place. Cora and Sybella are not speaking and both are grieving the loss of their friendship. A third young girl manipulates both of them throughout the story. At the end, they've reached out to each other but Donnelly leaves room for readers to think through the resolution.
The comparisons to trash and recycling come through clearly. Sometimes we throw away people in moments of anger and hurt. With effort, we can recycle and sustain relationships even though they change.
Interesting family background for this story. Cora's parents are Garbologists who study garbage and recycling and ways to protect the earth. Cora and Kyle are twins struggling with their parent's divorce and their mom's move to Belgium for a year.
The book begins near the end of the story after the friendship traumas have taken place. Cora and Sybella are not speaking and both are grieving the loss of their friendship. A third young girl manipulates both of them throughout the story. At the end, they've reached out to each other but Donnelly leaves room for readers to think through the resolution.
The comparisons to trash and recycling come through clearly. Sometimes we throw away people in moments of anger and hurt. With effort, we can recycle and sustain relationships even though they change.
September 18, 2019
{Received from NetGalley for review}
Definitely for younger readers, mid-late primary I'd suggest, this story was sweet and had many interesting elements. Unfortunately I just couldn't warm up to one of the main characters, Cora, who is feeling angry, lost and defiant about her broken friendship with Sybella. The two fifth-graders, along with super positive Kyle (Cora's twin), share a beautiful imaginary world, and they go through many relatable ups and downs (divorcing parents, difficult relationships). However, the slow pace at the beginning of the book really put me off. Though the very strong theme of sustainability and rubbish disposal was interesting, it also became slightly distracting from the main story line.
An issues-conscious, primary aged student, who loves real world problems and stories of friendship would undoubtedly enjoy this read.
Definitely for younger readers, mid-late primary I'd suggest, this story was sweet and had many interesting elements. Unfortunately I just couldn't warm up to one of the main characters, Cora, who is feeling angry, lost and defiant about her broken friendship with Sybella. The two fifth-graders, along with super positive Kyle (Cora's twin), share a beautiful imaginary world, and they go through many relatable ups and downs (divorcing parents, difficult relationships). However, the slow pace at the beginning of the book really put me off. Though the very strong theme of sustainability and rubbish disposal was interesting, it also became slightly distracting from the main story line.
An issues-conscious, primary aged student, who loves real world problems and stories of friendship would undoubtedly enjoy this read.
January 26, 2019
Review based on an ARC received from the publisher. This is solid story for middle readers (ages 9-12) about friendship, family, and environmentalism. Best friends Cora and Sybella have to navigate the tricky territory of 5th grade and misunderstandings that create a deep rift between them. I appreciated the messages about empathy and forgiveness woven into this story and the fantastic presence of garbology (a real thing!) via Cora’s garbologist parents. It’s a subtle yet effective primer on the importance of trash and seeking sustainable alternatives to single use plastics, but those themes don’t detract from the central story or make it stale like with some morale-heavy reads. Overall, I enjoyed this title and recommend it for the middle readers (particularly girls) in your world.
October 25, 2019
Thanks to @CapstonePub for providing #collaBookation with a copy of The Friendship Lie.
5th grade is turning out to be a difficult year for a long-standing friendship between Cora and Sybella. We learn about the problem through both Cora's and Sybella's perspectives. Sometimes those tellings take place "Before" and sometimes they take place "After" the problem begins.
It's easy to remember back to elementary school and how friendship breakdowns happen so easily. As a reader, I felt sympathy for both characters and rooted for them to make their way back to each other.
5th grade is turning out to be a difficult year for a long-standing friendship between Cora and Sybella. We learn about the problem through both Cora's and Sybella's perspectives. Sometimes those tellings take place "Before" and sometimes they take place "After" the problem begins.
It's easy to remember back to elementary school and how friendship breakdowns happen so easily. As a reader, I felt sympathy for both characters and rooted for them to make their way back to each other.
August 28, 2019
ARC provided by Capstone via NetGalley for an honest review.
It is often so hard for me to tell with ARC’s how much more work the publisher’s and authors might do on a book before publishing. This one could have done with a bit more polishing which I hoped it received because at it’s core it is a very good story that I think kids will enjoy.
What went right:
Both Cora and Sybella are very engaging kids. You could tell that they just had that bond that will keep them friends even through the tough times.
I really liked Kyle, Cora’s twin brother. He was such a delight throughout the whole book.
Marni is the new girl, who is very annoying and is the instigator of the whole troubles. I think kids will sympathize with her.
I enjoyed learning more about garbage and recycling. A message that many still need to hear. It was done in some pretty neat ways as well, such as their birthday presents being wrapped in plain paper as opposed to wrapping paper.
Although we don’t hear a lot about their imaginary world Aquafaba, what we do know was a lot of fun and quite imaginative. I think 5th graders will like to know that it is still ok to imagine.
The friendship drama was well done and the message of having to admit things when you are wrong was done with just the right amount of emotions.
What went wrong:
I mentioned above that I liked the recycling message that the book had and I do, but it was pushed maybe just a tad too much. It was pretty constant in everything these kids did.
There was a constant switching back and forth in the timeline without much warning. This I think is a formatting issue too, as sometimes there wasn’t a break in the text. Better chapter headings would help with this.
This next point is a bit hard without spoiling, but the whole diary thing just didn’t work for me and it didn’t really seem to mesh with the overall plot of the story. It did help Cora come to the conclusion that she needed to apologize to Sybella, before it was too late.
Overall this was a good story, it just needed a little bit more work to smooth out the edges. I think though that kids will like and appreciate that the author has captured what it is like to be that age and to have friendship troubles.
https://elnadesbookchat.com
It is often so hard for me to tell with ARC’s how much more work the publisher’s and authors might do on a book before publishing. This one could have done with a bit more polishing which I hoped it received because at it’s core it is a very good story that I think kids will enjoy.
What went right:
Both Cora and Sybella are very engaging kids. You could tell that they just had that bond that will keep them friends even through the tough times.
I really liked Kyle, Cora’s twin brother. He was such a delight throughout the whole book.
Marni is the new girl, who is very annoying and is the instigator of the whole troubles. I think kids will sympathize with her.
I enjoyed learning more about garbage and recycling. A message that many still need to hear. It was done in some pretty neat ways as well, such as their birthday presents being wrapped in plain paper as opposed to wrapping paper.
Although we don’t hear a lot about their imaginary world Aquafaba, what we do know was a lot of fun and quite imaginative. I think 5th graders will like to know that it is still ok to imagine.
The friendship drama was well done and the message of having to admit things when you are wrong was done with just the right amount of emotions.
What went wrong:
I mentioned above that I liked the recycling message that the book had and I do, but it was pushed maybe just a tad too much. It was pretty constant in everything these kids did.
There was a constant switching back and forth in the timeline without much warning. This I think is a formatting issue too, as sometimes there wasn’t a break in the text. Better chapter headings would help with this.
This next point is a bit hard without spoiling, but the whole diary thing just didn’t work for me and it didn’t really seem to mesh with the overall plot of the story. It did help Cora come to the conclusion that she needed to apologize to Sybella, before it was too late.
Overall this was a good story, it just needed a little bit more work to smooth out the edges. I think though that kids will like and appreciate that the author has captured what it is like to be that age and to have friendship troubles.
https://elnadesbookchat.com
December 18, 2019
This is a great story for young teens. It tells of friendships, how fragile they can be, and how a small misunderstanding or a supposed thought can create havoc between friends. Cora and Sybella go through one of these bumps, in fifth grade, after being friends for 3 years. Cora's parents separate, and the mother moves away for her job. What will she do when her whole world seems to be falling apart. The format is different and adds to the enjoyment of reading the story.
March 4, 2019
I enjoyed the garbage metaphor throughout this book. The way the narrative cuts back and forth between the past and the present was flawlessly executed, and the characters of Cora, Kyle, and Sybella were three-dimensional and relatable.
Not my favorite book, but I think kids will certainly enjoy it!
Not my favorite book, but I think kids will certainly enjoy it!
April 24, 2019
I received this ARC from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
There is a lot about this story that middle grade readers will find relatable. Cora and Sybella are close friends who have had a falling out that neither can really explain and both really want to reconnect without knowing quite how.
My only criticism of this is that to me it felt slow at times.
There is a lot about this story that middle grade readers will find relatable. Cora and Sybella are close friends who have had a falling out that neither can really explain and both really want to reconnect without knowing quite how.
My only criticism of this is that to me it felt slow at times.
April 7, 2019
This is the perfect book for my students! Every year, I have friends who get into some kind of disagreement with each other. This is the perfect book to hand them!! I'm going to need several copies so I always have one ready to hand out!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews