SOME FRIEND
by Marie Bradby
Atheneum
ISBN: 0689856156
Ages 9-12
240 pages

It's 1953 in Fairfax, Virginia, and for eleven-year-old Pearl Jordan, finding a friend has always been difficult because there aren't many kids her age in the neighborhood. Along with everyone else, she wants Lenore to be her friend. Lenore gets her hair done at a salon, has her own phone, fancy bedroom and two close friends, Nadine and Ce-Ce. But Pearl can only dream about those special things since her hair is still braided and she must share a room with her older sister Diana and her pesky little sister Angela.

One day, though, Pearl finally gets her wish: Lenore asks her to be her friend! She gladly accepts the offer.

The friendship starts off great, but Pearl soon discovers that Lenore isn't as friendly as she seemed. She steals, pressures Pearl into doing dangerous things, and makes fun of the other kids, including Pearl's new friend Artemesia. Pearl and Artemesia have a lot in common. They like to dance and draw, and Artemesia has siblings too. Pearl soon starts getting into trouble and her mother doesn't want her to be friends with Lenore anymore, but Pearl doesn't listen.

Then one night, Pearl does the unthinkable to Artemesia that may cost her their friendship. Will Artemesia forgive her? Will Pearl stop being friends with Lenore?

Author Marie Bradby, through her powerful coming-of-age tale, conveys to readers how to act appropriately in life. SOME FRIEND reminds me that I should never take my friendships for granted --- because I might lose them someday.

   --- Reviewed by Ashley Hartlaub

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