The Kind of Friends We Used to Be

Kate and Marylin enter seventh grade on diverging paths after being best friends throughout elementary school. While Kate discovers her passion for songwriting and alternative music, Marylin focuses on cheerleading and maintaining her popular image. The girls struggle to navigate their changing identities and social circles while trying to preserve fragments of their friendship. Kate works to find her voice through music as Marylin deals with the pressures of fitting in with the popular crowd. Through parallel storylines, the book explores the natural evolution of childhood friendships and the challenge of staying true to oneself during the turbulent middle school years. The narrative examines how growth and change impact long-term relationships, especially during early adolescence.

Readers note this middle-grade novel captures realistic preteen friendship dynamics and the complexities of growing apart. The story resonates with both young readers who are experiencing similar changes and adults who remember these transitions. Readers appreciated: - Authentic portrayal of middle school social dynamics - Natural dialogue between characters - Character development showing personal growth - Relatable struggles with changing identities and interests Common criticisms: - Slower pacing compared to the first book - Some found the ending unresolved - Limited appeal beyond the target age group Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (40+ ratings) One reader noted: "The author perfectly captures how friendships evolve in middle school without making it overly dramatic." Another mentioned: "My 12-year-old daughter saw herself in these characters and their experiences." Some teachers report using it successfully in classroom discussions about friendship and growing up.

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🎸 This book is the second in a trilogy, following "The Secret Language of Girls" and preceding "The Sound of Your Voice, Only Really Far Away," exploring the evolving friendship between Kate and Marylin through middle school. 📝 Author Frances O'Roark Dowell wrote her first novel at age 10 and has won multiple awards, including the Edgar Allen Poe Award for her book "Dovey Coe." 🎭 The story authentically captures the challenging transition many middle school friendships face when former best friends develop different interests - Kate pursues guitar and songwriting while Marylin focuses on cheerleading. 👗 A key theme in the book involves breaking gender stereotypes, as Kate rejects traditionally "girly" activities while Marylin embraces them, showing there's no single way to be a girl. 🌟 The novel received acclaim for its realistic portrayal of middle school social dynamics and was named to several state reading lists, including the South Carolina Junior Book Award Master List.