Honors & Reviews
Honors
The Parents magazine 2017 Best Graphic Novel
A Summer Kids Indie Next title
A Junior Library Guild Selection
An IndieBound Bestseller
featured in Entertainment Weekly and LA Times
a Publisher's Weekly Best Book of 2017
Goodreads Best Graphic Novel of the Year finalist
a School Library Journal Best Book of 2017
a Barnes & Noble Best Book of 2017
a School Library Journal 2017 Top Ten Graphic Novel
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2017
a San Francisco Chronicle 2017 recommended book
a Booklist 2017 Top of the List Editors' Choice
an LA Times Best Book of the Year
a Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2017
a Texas Maverick Graphic Novel
a Mighty Girl's 2017 Book of the Year
the Excellence in Graphic Literature 2018 Best Children's Book Award Winner
a YALSA 2018 Great Graphic Novel for Teens
a Harvey Award finalist
Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee
a Mark Twain Book Award nominee
the 2019 Beehive Book Award winner
the 2020 South Carolina Children's Book Award winner
the 2020 Illinois Bluestem Award winner
Praise
“Real Friends is honest and heartfelt, and sure to be loved by anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. The artwork is stunning, too!” -- Victoria Jamieson
“Fresh, fun, and achingly real. Bravo!” -- Jennifer L. Holm
“Real Friends made me laugh, broke my heart, and gave me hope. This book is SO GOOD. SO MANY FEELS.” -- Gene Luen Yang
“A rich memoir that tells the real truth about friendship and its trials and triumphs.” -- Ben Hatke
Reviews
"Fresh and funny." New York Times Book Review
"Destined for instant popularity." San Francisco Chronicle
"LeUyen Pham's expressive, colorful panel illustrations match the story to perfection." Wall Street Journal
"Real Friends is an honest, poignant, and at times humorous story of navigating the ever-changing landscape of school popularity." Deseret News
“The book's truth is as vibrant as its art.” ―Washington Post
“Real Friends tackles bullying, childhood anxiety, and growing pains in a heartfelt way that’ll transport every woman who went to elementary school back into her days as a young girl . . . but the book also shows us the incredible kindness and solidarity that girls can and do display.” ―The Mary Sue
“A wistful, affecting, and utterly charming exploration of the realities of childhood friendship.” ―Booklist, starred review
“This tender, perceptive graphic memoir is bound to resonate with most readers, especially fans of Raina Telgemeier and kids struggling with the often turbulent waters of friendships and cliques.” ―School Library Journal, starred review
“A wonderfully observed portrait of finding one’s place in your world.” ―Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Readers will appreciate Shannon's fantastic imagination that lightens her tough journey toward courage and self-acceptance.” ―Kirkus Reviews
“Hand this book to fans of Raina Telgemeier’s and Cece Bell’s graphic memoirs.” ―Horn Book
“The author’s memoir nails what it’s like to navigate elementary-school friendships.” ―Parents Magazine