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Making Friends #2
Back to the Drawing Board
Dany, Madison, and...wait-another Dany?!-must navigate some very complicated friendships while trying to capture a magical dog that is turning their town upside-down!
Almost everything is going great for Dany. She and Madison are still best friends, she still has her magic sketchbook, and the new school year is looking up. But when Dany creates a duplicate of herself to secretly help with homework and raise her social status, the two of them accidentally unleash a magical dog that wreaks supernatural havoc on the town.
Now, with the big school dance coming up, time is running short for Dany, Madison, and their friends to set things right before the night is completely ruined!
Almost everything is going great for Dany. She and Madison are still best friends, she still has her magic sketchbook, and the new school year is looking up. But when Dany creates a duplicate of herself to secretly help with homework and raise her social status, the two of them accidentally unleash a magical dog that wreaks supernatural havoc on the town.
Now, with the big school dance coming up, time is running short for Dany, Madison, and their friends to set things right before the night is completely ruined!
208 pages, Paperback
First published July 30, 2019
204 people are currently reading
4658 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
February 1, 2021
Danielle or Dany as she prefers came across a magical sketch book from her great-aunt Elma and she made herself a friend who came real and she also made head of Prince Neptune who turned out to be evil and he was sent to the moon in the last book by Dany and her friends. They call themselves Solar Sisters.
Dany and Madison are still friends but Madison is also friends with the cool squad at school and Cara who is part of the cool squad doesn't like Dany. When she insults Dany at school, Madison gets upset with Cara and tells her off. Madison wants Dany and Cara to be friends and Dany tries but Cara shrugs it off and then Dany pays her with magical money. Dany and Tom left magical money at the school for repairs but the principal finds it and retires after announcing that he inherited some money. Dany and Tom realize that the principal stole the magical money that they had left for repairs.
Dany is struggling with homework and to be popular so she makes a clone of herself. Dany's parents also won a lifetime lotto and her mum got skinny. When Dany breaks a vase by mistake, a dog is release from it and she realizes that it must be a dog jinni and she figures out how her parents won the lottery and how her mum got skinny in such short time. When she confronts her parents, they all realize that they all know about magic and Dany's parents confiscate some of her magical items. Dany's uncle and aunty have also got themselves a good life finally. Later on when Dany tried to mindwipe her parents, her mum realizes that Dany still has access to magic and she confiscates her sketchbook as well.
Meanwhile, the school bully has the dog jinni and grants himself wishes. He tries to use magic on others and the Solar Sisters beat him and the dog jinni is turned into an ordinary dog.
The first book in the series was too busy but I still liked it. This was all over the place as well and too many things were happening and I felt that things jumped from here to there without fully evolving. It was a nice plot but the execution felt too messy. I was hoping for some answers that I never got in the first book but rather than getting those answers, I got more questions as not much was explained. Dany lies to her parents so easily and she mindwipes people without thinking about the consequences. She learnt nothing after creating Madison and Prince Neptune and in this she creates a clone of herself. Learn something from your mistakes. Even her parents were so dodgy and they used magic to benefit themselves and I question her mum with the sketchbook. Some other reviewers have pointed out that everyone seems to just accept it when they find out that magic is real, no one questions them and I think the same. Why doesn't anyone question the magic in this and how did Elma have all these possessions? I also think that Dany's uncle and aunty also know about magic as their lives changed as well and her uncle doesn't even yell at anyone anymore. I was also hoping to hear something about Prince Neptune but whatever. I will read the next in the series just to get some answers.
2 stars
Dany and Madison are still friends but Madison is also friends with the cool squad at school and Cara who is part of the cool squad doesn't like Dany. When she insults Dany at school, Madison gets upset with Cara and tells her off. Madison wants Dany and Cara to be friends and Dany tries but Cara shrugs it off and then Dany pays her with magical money. Dany and Tom left magical money at the school for repairs but the principal finds it and retires after announcing that he inherited some money. Dany and Tom realize that the principal stole the magical money that they had left for repairs.
Dany is struggling with homework and to be popular so she makes a clone of herself. Dany's parents also won a lifetime lotto and her mum got skinny. When Dany breaks a vase by mistake, a dog is release from it and she realizes that it must be a dog jinni and she figures out how her parents won the lottery and how her mum got skinny in such short time. When she confronts her parents, they all realize that they all know about magic and Dany's parents confiscate some of her magical items. Dany's uncle and aunty have also got themselves a good life finally. Later on when Dany tried to mindwipe her parents, her mum realizes that Dany still has access to magic and she confiscates her sketchbook as well.
Meanwhile, the school bully has the dog jinni and grants himself wishes. He tries to use magic on others and the Solar Sisters beat him and the dog jinni is turned into an ordinary dog.
The first book in the series was too busy but I still liked it. This was all over the place as well and too many things were happening and I felt that things jumped from here to there without fully evolving. It was a nice plot but the execution felt too messy. I was hoping for some answers that I never got in the first book but rather than getting those answers, I got more questions as not much was explained. Dany lies to her parents so easily and she mindwipes people without thinking about the consequences. She learnt nothing after creating Madison and Prince Neptune and in this she creates a clone of herself. Learn something from your mistakes. Even her parents were so dodgy and they used magic to benefit themselves and I question her mum with the sketchbook. Some other reviewers have pointed out that everyone seems to just accept it when they find out that magic is real, no one questions them and I think the same. Why doesn't anyone question the magic in this and how did Elma have all these possessions? I also think that Dany's uncle and aunty also know about magic as their lives changed as well and her uncle doesn't even yell at anyone anymore. I was also hoping to hear something about Prince Neptune but whatever. I will read the next in the series just to get some answers.
2 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2019
Ok, so the crazy that was the evil prince is gone so no floating psycho head, but this book just lost any momentum book 1may have started. Again, it jumps around a lot. And there's way too much "oh, you have magic" acceptance for me. No one seems to question that magic is real.
And what's with Dany's parents? And where is the sketchbook at the end when we are made to question if Dany's mom can be trusted to not use it inappropriately?
While the story here had potential, there was just too much being crammed in for it to develop properly. There's the secret admirer, the genie dog, the family stuff, clones, a dance, theft and bullying .... I mean, the principal basically steals and Dany just lets it go. Dany's uncle and aunt aren't nasty pieces of work to the same degree they were .... So much annoyed me. So much!
Ugh. I have tons of questions because so many things were just introduced and left hanging. But I honestly don't care enough about the characters or the book to want the series to continue.
Guess I shouldn't be surprised after reading (and disliking) Henchgirl.
And what's with Dany's parents? And where is the sketchbook at the end when we are made to question if Dany's mom can be trusted to not use it inappropriately?
While the story here had potential, there was just too much being crammed in for it to develop properly. There's the secret admirer, the genie dog, the family stuff, clones, a dance, theft and bullying .... I mean, the principal basically steals and Dany just lets it go. Dany's uncle and aunt aren't nasty pieces of work to the same degree they were .... So much annoyed me. So much!
Ugh. I have tons of questions because so many things were just introduced and left hanging. But I honestly don't care enough about the characters or the book to want the series to continue.
Guess I shouldn't be surprised after reading (and disliking) Henchgirl.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 10, 2020
This book was terrible. It was incredibly confusing, the characters had little traits and development or none at all. Weird, magical creatures were mixed in at odds and ends. A girl (I don't remember the book ever telling you her name) clones herself so her clone can go to school for her... (this is incredibly confusing and introduces more magical powers, beings and objects, not to mention a rather cliche idea).
I had enough trouble telling the girl and her clone (dubbed "Cloney") apart, let alone the fact that pretty much everyone looked and acted the same, save for a few exceptions. Not a good read.
Looking for a not very well drawn graphic novel that's choppier than anything you've ever read, doesn't make any sense, and is more and more confusing every horrible page you turn? If so, Making Friends: Back to the Drawing Board is the book for you!
I had enough trouble telling the girl and her clone (dubbed "Cloney") apart, let alone the fact that pretty much everyone looked and acted the same, save for a few exceptions. Not a good read.
Looking for a not very well drawn graphic novel that's choppier than anything you've ever read, doesn't make any sense, and is more and more confusing every horrible page you turn? If so, Making Friends: Back to the Drawing Board is the book for you!
August 1, 2020
A spineless heroine, pretty crappy parent characterizations, a disjointed plot that makes almost no sense, and suuuupppeeerrr messy art. I know hands are hard to draw... but c'mon.
Also, everyone is super chill when they find out about magic. There is no pushback or shift in perspective. Too much is taken in stride for this to have a ring of truth, even with the suspension of disbelief we are expected to have when dealing with fantasy elements.
Overall, I'd skip this one.
Also, everyone is super chill when they find out about magic. There is no pushback or shift in perspective. Too much is taken in stride for this to have a ring of truth, even with the suspension of disbelief we are expected to have when dealing with fantasy elements.
Overall, I'd skip this one.
November 12, 2021
I love the use of magic in this story. In this book, there are so many ways to have and use magic. I wish that I could have magic like Dany.
July 3, 2021
Yes, this book has the same vibes as the first installment, but something about it was too out there to me.
What was happening here? The drama was actually annoying, and the way the children reacted, seemed very unlikely. I was their age recently, and at a public school like they were, but my friends and I never acted so immature. I know others did, but I still can't get over the fact that the characters were so careless.
It's a well known fact that magic has it's limits and you can't use it all willy nilly. Even children know that, they've read or been read fairytales. I just thought that this volume was super annoying and improbable.
What was happening here? The drama was actually annoying, and the way the children reacted, seemed very unlikely. I was their age recently, and at a public school like they were, but my friends and I never acted so immature. I know others did, but I still can't get over the fact that the characters were so careless.
It's a well known fact that magic has it's limits and you can't use it all willy nilly. Even children know that, they've read or been read fairytales. I just thought that this volume was super annoying and improbable.
August 10, 2019
Perhaps more fun than the first, now that the groundwork is set! The discussion of magic and what to do with all that power isn’t very subtle but it fit into the story well. Will there be a third? I could see this as an odd companion to the Berrybrook series, discussing the nuances of friendship and being yourself, albeit in very different manners.
I wonder if I’m reading too much into the Madison x Cara vibes, but look at all that blushing!
I wonder if I’m reading too much into the Madison x Cara vibes, but look at all that blushing!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2019
This was surprisingly deep. I love the art and the story. It was funny and emotional.
September 19, 2019
i really liked the book because of the adventures that occur during the book but i hated the principle tho why does he keep the money to himself like ugh but yea the book is nice :)))))))))
June 26, 2022
This one was a bit more chaotic and jumpy than the last. Things mostly made sense but sometimes it was hard to follow. Still like the art!
August 18, 2025
bro i love this series so much but i was js rereading it for fun and i had a theory:
what if caraxmadison (romantic) relationship is canon 🤯
what if caraxmadison (romantic) relationship is canon 🤯
October 1, 2022
Finally trying to get out of my slump. I didn’t realise this was the second book in the series until i was 110 pages through, so ima try read the first and third at some point 😭 I liked this though, it was cute and fluffy and fun.
May 26, 2019
The sequel to Making Friends is a bit shorter, faster-paced, crazier, funnier, and at times more emotionally devastating than the first one. It's even more unrestrained and unfiltered than the first book, sticking out of the middle grade graphic novel shelves like a crazy thumb, despite its unassuming cover. So those whose reviews cited book 1 as "weird" may be overwhelmed by the plot turns, high-energy art work, and general sense of anything can happen at any moment. Me? I loved it and may want to read it again.
There's tons of funny gags on every page, like signs in the background, or characters' facial expressions or little asides. There's emotional and sad truths and flaws in the main character, Dany, that feel very real and no doubt many will relate to it. There's even some fascinating new world-building or mythology building that may entice some readers' imaginations. This is a sequel that expands on the first book, brings in new characters and developments, but also shows that the journey of self growth for Dany is still a long road. Her problems and their solutions are difficult to boil down to quick or simple lessons, she is a more complex and interesting character than one may be used to in this genre. I think that's a positive and exciting thing to be in a middle grade graphic novel!
There's tons of funny gags on every page, like signs in the background, or characters' facial expressions or little asides. There's emotional and sad truths and flaws in the main character, Dany, that feel very real and no doubt many will relate to it. There's even some fascinating new world-building or mythology building that may entice some readers' imaginations. This is a sequel that expands on the first book, brings in new characters and developments, but also shows that the journey of self growth for Dany is still a long road. Her problems and their solutions are difficult to boil down to quick or simple lessons, she is a more complex and interesting character than one may be used to in this genre. I think that's a positive and exciting thing to be in a middle grade graphic novel!
September 21, 2019
A great sequel to Making Friends - Back to the Drawing Board picks up pretty soon after the events of the first comic (so don't go trying to read these out of order!) As with the first book, this one tackles the intricacies of friendship and how they can change as you grow and as your friends make new friends. It also brings up bullying and self-esteem. I love the characters and how bittersweet this book felt. Plus, there's still plenty of magic and silliness! I can't wait for more of this series.
November 18, 2019
I liked the first book better. This one has some fun twists though.
November 4, 2022
The second volume in the series had a more chaotic plot and art style. The art had at times a simplified vibe, and the plot just plowed on and wasn’t always understandable.😂
Still pretty cute and fun, when I got past the glitches. 😉
Still pretty cute and fun, when I got past the glitches. 😉
September 14, 2019
I read half of Making Friends: Back to the Drawing Board and skimmed the rest. I really liked the first one, so I was excited to see the second one come out, but it just fell flat.
The plot felt thrown together. The "magical dog genie" hidden by Dany's parents was random and just plain odd. I also felt that some of the characters' words and actions were uncharacteristic. In the first book, Dany was unpopular and felt like she didn't fit in, but that somehow morphed into a deep self-hatred in this book, and I'm not sure why.
The drastic change in the art style between Making Friends and Making Friends: Back to the Drawing Board seriously confused me. If you compare both books side by side, there's a visible decline in the art quality of book #2. It baffled me to see how much the art changed for the worse.
Overall, Making Friends: Back to the Drawing Board fell short of my expectations in many ways. If you enjoyed the first book, you may be disappointed to read the second.
The plot felt thrown together. The "magical dog genie" hidden by Dany's parents was random and just plain odd. I also felt that some of the characters' words and actions were uncharacteristic. In the first book, Dany was unpopular and felt like she didn't fit in, but that somehow morphed into a deep self-hatred in this book, and I'm not sure why.
The drastic change in the art style between Making Friends and Making Friends: Back to the Drawing Board seriously confused me. If you compare both books side by side, there's a visible decline in the art quality of book #2. It baffled me to see how much the art changed for the worse.
Overall, Making Friends: Back to the Drawing Board fell short of my expectations in many ways. If you enjoyed the first book, you may be disappointed to read the second.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2021
I did enjoy this sequel, just no where near as much as the first one. A lot of loose ends were left unfinished. I would have liked to seen So lots of plot points to wrap up. Hopefully a 3rd book will address these issues. I still like the art style, references to pop culture and anime, and writing style.
December 11, 2019
this book is by kristen gudnuk its part two of one of my fav reads makeing friends if you like comics this is a greght option for you its about a girl named dany who has an magic sketch book any thing she draws comes to life shes a bit lownly and makes a friend out of the book to learn more about part one cheak out myas rewew on it by passion
February 24, 2021
Super fun to read!
I love this series! As a kid who really liked graphic novels, this one is one of my favorites. The art style is really bright and colorful which I really like, and the characters are really original! If you like magic, colorful graphic novels, and drawing, this book is definitely for you!
(This is Brad's daughter, btw)
I love this series! As a kid who really liked graphic novels, this one is one of my favorites. The art style is really bright and colorful which I really like, and the characters are really original! If you like magic, colorful graphic novels, and drawing, this book is definitely for you!
(This is Brad's daughter, btw)
March 20, 2021
This is madness, mayhem, clones, genie dogs and friends falling out all rolled into one. This is a wild ride that never really stops. Brilliant artwork and a crazy turn of events. Dealing with friends, crushes, magical powers and secrets. This doesn’t have ‘chapters’ and that keeps the pace up! I wasn’t sure what was going on at some points, but enjoyed it.
May 29, 2021
Great! So good, love the book, read it a billion times. 10 - 16 should be the age gap, in my opinion. But hey, if someone older than 16 likes it, that's cool! If younger than 10, well, as long as they have parental approval, fine! Just do me a favour and READ IT or let your child READ IT. Thanks!
September 16, 2019
This book was awesome!!!!!!!!
January 9, 2020
i liked it alot i hope they make a 3rd book
January 11, 2020
Loved the characters. Loved the story and the fact that there was a little bit of magic in it.
Currently reading
February 5, 2020SUPER good!!!
April 20, 2020
This book is awesome. You have to read this I gave this 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
May 3, 2021
This book is good. It’s strange and amusing, and I like the illustrations.
May 28, 2021
Havin't read the first one but the second one is a blast!
March 20, 2022
loved it soo cool.
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