A beautiful exploration of middle school friendship dynamics…
Meg and Beatrix have been friends since kindergarten, but things turn different in middle school after the self-assured Beatrix tries to overstep her boundaries and refuses to let Meg befriend another girl. It’s difficult for Meg to stand up to her best friend, but the realization that she needs to find her own voice makes things complicated for the duo’s friendship. Meg’s growing awareness about her own inability to take a stand against her best friend, awareness of self, and shifting power dynamics between the friends are portrayed brilliantly. With skillful worldbuilding and a positive look at self-advocacy, this layered, poignant tale explores changing friendship dynamics while encouraging self-awareness in children. Middle graders will be rewarded.