CHOOSING BETWEEN FRIENDS.
Bree's mom is busy with work. Her brother is mad at her about his broken arm. Cassie, who's spending the summer with her grandmother across the street, is two years older and too cool for Bree's games. Luckily, Bree has an old friend to keep her company: Joey, who's trustworthy, understanding--and completely imaginary.
When you're eleven, an imaginary friend can be awkward, and when Cassie starts taking an interest in Bree, things with Joey suddenly aren't as much fun anymore. Bree finds herself wanting to be more like Cassie, cutting her hair and changing her clothes. Then, as they're starting to make friends, Bree discovers that Cassie has some secrets of her own--like her friendship with Bree's brother, and the real reason she's in town. Is she the friend Bree's been waiting for? Or is she better off sticking with Joey?
Read an excerpt from the first chapter
Teacher’s Guide
Reader's Quiz
Q: Is this your first book?
A: This is my first published book, but it’s not the
first book I wrote. My very first book is not suitable for public consumption, so I keep it hidden in my computer where it belongs.
Q: Did you have an imaginary friend growing up?
A: Yes, I did, but I was only about three years old at the time.
Her name was Lulu, and my mom tells me she only lasted a few
weeks. I guess my imagination wasn't as big as Bree's.
Q: Are any parts of the book based on real experiences?
A: The book is set in the suburbs of Baltimore where I grew up.
Bree’s neighborhood, her swing, the school/mansion, and the
tree outside her window are all real. In fact, the school
that was originally a house in my old neighborhood (and in the book) has
now been converted back into a home. Other than the setting, though, the book is entirely fictional.
Blog Reviews and Interviews:
Big A, Little a
Bildungsroman
Charlotte's Library
MotherReader
Shelf Elf
"I absolutely loved the book...That is the first chapter book that I finished the day after I got it." KidsReads.com
