Eat, Read, and Be Mommy

I finished Shannon Hale’s (and LeUyen Pham’s) Friends Forever last night, and let me tell you what–it’s going to be a while before I read another graphic novel that focuses on the junior high experience. I don’t want to relive the wishing a boy would like me, the worrying about having someone to sit with, the uncertainty of the friendships–nope nope nope. Add that to Shannon’s undiagnosed anxiety and OCD, her awkward relationships with her siblings and parents, the mall Santa, and the talent agent–ugh. Friends Forever is moving and realistic and chockful of feels, but I’m 46. I’m done with most of those feelings, and I’d most definitely like to STAY done. (As for the feelings I’m not done with? I’m a parent of more than one child with anxiety, and I’d prefer to escape those worries when I read, not exacerbate them.)

Interestingly enough, Shannon’s parent and sibling relationships bugged me more in this third book as well. I really just wanted to be a fly on the wall so I could evaluate them myself, rather than only seeing them through Shannon’s point of view. (Of course, that’s very much the parent in me, so I doubt my girls will care.) Ultimately, this is a well done graphic novel that middle graders will likely appreciate–I just didn’t enjoy sharing Shannon Hale’s experiences. That isn’t a reflection on her, however, but a reflection on junior high itself.

Once was enough.