Making Friends

Making Friends follows seventh-grader Dany as she starts at a new middle school without her old friends. When she inherits a sketchbook with magical powers, she draws a best friend who comes to life. Dany navigates typical middle school challenges like finding where to sit at lunch and joining clubs, while also dealing with her newly-created companion. The story combines realistic school situations with fantasy elements as Dany learns to use the sketchbook's powers. The graphic novel format brings both the everyday middle school world and magical moments to life through expressive artwork and dynamic panel layouts. References to anime and pop culture are woven throughout the illustrations and dialogue. Making Friends explores themes of authenticity, creativity, and what it means to be a true friend. The story addresses the universal experience of feeling alone while showing how connection can come from unexpected places.

Readers describe this graphic novel as relatable for middle schoolers dealing with friendship challenges and school transitions. The art style and humor connect well with the target age group, with many noting their kids read it multiple times. Likes: - Authentic portrayal of middle school social dynamics - Main character's emotional journey feels genuine - Fantasy elements blend naturally with realistic story - Appealing art that captures teen expressions - Quick, engaging pace Dislikes: - Some found the magical sketchbook plot device predictable - A few parents felt certain friendship conflicts weren't fully resolved - Minor complaints about text being hard to read in some panels Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (450+ ratings) Kirkus Reviews: Starred Review One teacher noted: "My students pass this book around constantly - it sparks great discussions about friendship changes." Multiple reviewers mentioned it helped their children process similar social situations at school.

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🎨 Author Kristen Gudsnuk started her career creating webcomics, including the popular series "Henchgirl" 📚 The magic sketchbook in "Making Friends" was inspired by the author's own childhood wish to have her drawings come to life 🏫 The story tackles real middle school challenges like changing friendship dynamics and fitting in at a new school, while adding fantasy elements ✍️ All the artwork in the book was created digitally using a drawing tablet, though it maintains a hand-drawn feel 🌟 The book is part of Scholastic's Graphix line, which has launched many successful graphic novels including "Dog Man" and "The Baby-Sitters Club" graphic adaptations