Just Friends

by Norma Klein

Shy and intellectual Isabel tries to conceal her growing interest in her childhood and platonic friend, Stuart, who is dating one of Isabel's closest friends

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Teen, Fiction

149 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Norma Klein was born in New York City and graduated cum laude and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa from Barnard College with a degree in Russian. She later received her master's degree in Slavic languages from Columbia University.

Ms. Klein began publishing short stories while attending Barnard and since then she had written novels for readers of all ages. The author got her ideas from everyday life and advised would-be writers to do the same -- to write about their experiences or things they really care about.

Ms. Klein died in 1989.

Reviews

[Carin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was Norma Klein's last book, and I vividly remember when I read this book, getting to that last page and seeing on the author bio that she had died upset me very much. I believe it wasn't 100% finished (the writing was obviously done but not the production process) as I caught 2 copyediting inconsistencies that I've never seen in other of her books. This book I identified with more than all her others. It was the first one where the main female character had girlfriends. Not just one (or sometimes none) like in the other books. Also this book was actually set NOW, when I was in high school, not like previous books from the early 80s or the 70s. It felt very personal to me, very much like Ms. Klein was a friend of mine and knew what me and my friends were thinking. I could totally understand being in a situation like Isabel's, with the best friend you secretly love but can't tell, and then getting involved with another boy who you don't love, but who at first you half-hope you do end up loving as that would eliminate the first problem. And in a way it was a win-win for Isabel because even if she didn't even fall for Gregory, she hopefully could make Stuart jealous, and also distract herself while his affair with Ketti was going on. I completely understood her motivations and her feelings.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in high school (probably 1995-97) after the children's librarian told me a woman had been very upset that her daughter had been allowed to check the book out. Mrs. Eaton asked if I would read it and see if it was appropriate for teens. It was this book that brought about the move of the YA books from the children's room to a corner of the adult room (upstairs). Before this point, I'm not even sure the YA books were marked any differently from the children's books.

This story is about best friends, a guy and a girl, who decide that they want to be each other's "first." After they sleep together, their relationship changes. I don't remember too many of the details, but as a teen I thought this was a good story about the consequences of sex - more on the emotional level, although there was some discussion of "protection."

Just think: if that woman hadn't complained about this book, I never would have read it!

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun story with a good amount of exploration. Love never works out when you have someone else on your mind all the time. The book might be somewhat unrealistic in that sense, but it was still enjoyable.

[Denyse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books as a teenager and I’ve just read it as a 40 year old adult. It did not hold up to my memories but I definitely see why I loved it so much when I was younger.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just reading these old Norma Klein YA books out of nostalgia...used to love them.

[Anonymous · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book English romance book I read. It’s the perfect love story, about a smart girl. I read it like a year ago and I still think about it sometime!

[Katerina Dennison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many I read this book as a young teen. It was the first book I'd ever read that addressed the subject of sex in a real way(VC Andrews books don't count). For that reason it is etched on my mind as one of the most important books from my childhood. Also, it's a lovely real world romance between friends. From the day I read this book I wished I'd had a childhood sweetheart to call my own. It's been a while since I've read this so I can't comment on its literary achievements but it certainly made an impact on me.

[Lo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stu and Izzy, oh those cra cra kids! I think this might have been the last book from Ms. Klein, the greatly underappreciated YA fiction novelist. I reread the book this past winter and it was great to catch up with Stu and Izzy as they navigate through their friendships, lovers and other messy human connections. I tend to go back and forth on how I feel about how their relationship resolves itself. This time I felt a lot more okay with the resolution. It's bitter sweet, raw and very satisfying.

[Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up, remembering it from probably 20ish years ago to see what I thought of it now. It seemed very dated with teenagers that were oh so sophisticated. Interesting to reread a book that you remembered liking so long ago.

[Nicole patterson]

i read this twice

[Alli · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read this 'cause it was lying around the work place but it was interesting to say the least. Never something I would've picked up on my own but a quick read with some great dialogue.

[Elizabeth]

Ah, those were the days: sexually explicit teen NYers come of age!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved this book when I was a teen.It is more like 3 and half not 3 stars. NOt quite up to 4 but close.

[Jewelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book while I was in High School