A Friend Like That

by Alfred Slote

When eleven-year-old Robby takes drastic steps to stop his widowed father from developing a new love interest, his friend Beth has to step in and help him come to terms with the situation

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Alfred Slote (born September 11, 1926) is a children's author known for his numerous sports and space novels. His writing has been described as "making space travel seem as ordinary as piling in the family wagon for a jaunt to McDonald's". Slote's 1991 novel Finding Buck McHenry was adapted into a 2000 television film. He currently resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robby Miller has to adjust to a big life change yet again. He already had to deal with his mother’s death and a couple of moves, now his housekeeper is getting married and moving out. He doesn’t want his dad to meet a new woman. He just wants to go back to Massachusetts where he was at his happiest. His friend, Beth, isn’t going to let him go alone though.

This is well written and enjoyable. Robby must learn to communicate with his father and accept that life goes on. He can make it as good or as bad as he likes all on his own. And truthfully, it’s not always as bad as it seems.