SOLVED. Another angsty 1970s preteen novel - former BFF moves back into town all grown up. [s]

[SamSpayedPI]

The MC is a tween/preteen girl who is "young for her age." She's a bit of a tomboy. She had a best friend who had moved away a couple of years before the start of the book, and who recently moved back into town. The former best friend was now into makeup, dresses, boys etc. and the two no longer could relate to one another.

This was sort of a downbeat book, but not for any horrible reason; just someone whose best friend has grown away from her, and who is struggling with growing up.

Some details (I can't imagine they're "spoilers" but read at your own risk):

The former BFF had a "dog party"; the invitation insisted everyone had to bring their dog. MC's dog had passed away a while ago, and she didn't thing she was welcome to go to the party without one. (view spoiler)[She brought "those neighborhood hooligans" (her mother's description of some dogs that run loose around the neighborhood) to the party with disasterous results. (hide spoiler)]

MC's mother wants her to be more ladylike. A point of contention is her bedroom furniture which is dark wood stuff that she inherited from her older brother (I don't remember what happened to him; he could be dead, or simply away at college). MC comes home one day to find her mother (view spoiler)[painting the furniture pink; she's furious. At the end, she's falling asleep and decides to cover the pink paint with cartoon lollipops and whales (hide spoiler)]

(Maybe) MC babysits for a poor family, and cuts her hand opening a can of soup for them. (this seemed out of character).

[Ayshe]

Claudia by Barbara Brooks Wallace maybe?

[SamSpayedPI]

It is Claudia -- man, you guys are good!

Thanks!