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Real Friends    by Shannon Hale & LeUyen Pham Amazon.com order for
Real Friends
by Shannon Hale
Order:  USA  Can
First Second, 2017 (2017)
Hardcover, Softcover, e-Book
* * *   Reviewed by Ricki Marking-Camuto

Fantasy author Shannon Hale turns to memoir in her newest graphic novel, Real Friends. Through LeUyen Pham's kid-friendly art, complete with some fun fantasy scenes, Hale tells the story of her friendships during her elementary school years.

Hale's childhood was nothing spectacular, and that is what makes it perfect for teaching children about friendship – it mimics what is happening in the majority of kids' lives. Back in the early 80s, Hale faced many of the same dilemmas today's school children face. Some of her choices were good, but some were not, and she is not afraid to admit that, which is an important life lesson for children to learn.

While Shannon Hale did adjust the real timeline somewhat so the book could have a semblance of an ending, Real Friends is still a slice-of-life work, which is exactly what it needs to be.

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