Friends

Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham's bestselling graphic-memoir trilogy, drawn from Hale's own childhood, about the ache and confusion of growing-up friendship. Across Real Friends, Best Friends and Friends Forever, a young Shannon moves from primary-school friendship groups through the popularity politics of sixth grade to the anxious self-questioning of eighth grade. The books are painfully recognisable about exclusion, social anxiety, belonging and self-worth, yet always compassionate and hopeful. Pham's expressive, accessible artwork makes the shifting social dynamics clear and readable, while Hale's honesty gives children, parents and teachers a way into hard conversations. With over two million copies sold, it is a modern touchstone for readers navigating playground politics and their own place in the world.

Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham's bestselling graphic-memoir trilogy about the real ache of childhood friendship — exclusion, anxiety and self-worth, told with honesty and hope.

Primary themes

• Belonging
• Friendship
• Growing up
• Self acceptance
• Social anxiety

Tone palette

• Warm
• Bittersweet
• Thought provoking
• Heartwarming