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Book Review of If You Only Knew (Friendship Ring, Bk 1)

If You Only Knew (Friendship Ring, Bk 1)
reviewed on + 88 more book reviews


Grade 5-7-At the start of seventh grade, Zoe has lots of worries. Will boys like her even though she's not stereotypically feminine? Will girls think she's worth having as a best friend? Zoe has a crush on her pal Tommy, but so does her ballerina friend CJ. What to do? After Tommy reveals his interest in Zoe, she impulsively tells him to ask CJ out with the hope of winning her undying friendship. By the end of the story, Tommy does approach CJ while Zoe is having second thoughts about her decision to give him up. Readers are left hanging, but a sneak preview of the sequel is given. Nothing profound happens here, but that's just the point-these small dramas are earth-shattering to seventh graders. As in her other books, the author excels in depicting adolescent preoccupations and confusions. The dialogue is funny and the rapidly changing friendships and fickle alliances are authentically portrayed. The book's small size will attract preteens. A light confection that will be gobbled up.