Between Friends

by Sheila Garrigue

Having moved to a new town where she knows no one, Jill befriends a retarded girl and confronts the disapproval of her parents and neighbors

Genres: Childrens, Fiction

156 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Ren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished this. It was a good story about a girl learning what true friendship is. =) Jill has to choose between being a good friend or going along with the popular kids. From her experiences with Dede, Jill learns that we all have gifts to share...

[Don Heiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1991 Scholastic Press published Sheila Garrique’s children’s book “Between Friends.” The book is about the Harvey family who move from San Diego, California to small town York Falls Massachusetts. The family has two parents and three young children. Jill Harvey is a 12 year old sixth grader who joined a school friendship group of very talented students including Marla who studies dance and her close friend Karen who is a popular socialite. Jill is very comfortable spending time with them. She also is very intrigued with a neighbor who attends a special school that is designed and staffed to help students who have complicated health issues related to Down’s syndrome, spinal bifida, spinal cord damage, and a number of other conditions that trigger mental health illnesses. Jill’s also has a neighbor friend Dede Atkins who has a dog named Barney who bonds with Jill’s dog Squeak. Jill and Dede walk their dogs together twice daily; they spend many hours visiting; and they develop a close interpersonal relationship. Dede’s Down syndrome causes her to stutter, impacts her ability to comprehend events, and complicates her relationships with Marla, Karen and their friendship group. This group constantly chastise Dede for being retarded and mentally deficient. When Marla is selected to dance in the Boston theatrical performance of “The Nutcracker” she gave Jill an opening night ticket with special travel arrangements provided by her family. After Jill received the ticket, Dede asked Jill to attend her speciality school (Pearson School) Xmas party. The party was scheduled on the same day as Marla’s opening night performance. Jill chose to go Dede Xmas school party. She based her choice on her love of Dede and on an eye popping experience she had when she toured the Pearson speciality school. During the tour Jill saw the resources the school had to help their students overcome the mental challenges caused by their illnesses, genetic conditions, and physical impairments. When Jill visited the Pearson School she was amazed when she saw the desk layout of classrooms, the school’s supermarket laden with stocked shelves to teach students about merchandising and label reading, school kitchen design features, bathrooms, workshops, meeting areas, locker rooms, school swimming pool, and dining rooms. Also, she was amazed by the school gyms, performance arenas, facilities for growing flowers and unique plants, and the school’s interior sporting venues. The book ends with storylines about Dede’s third encounter with pneumonia, her hospitalization, and her mother’s decision to sell their home and move to a safer Arizona climate community. Jill misses Dede very much and chastised Marla, Karen and their friendship group members over their inability to understand the wisdom of Dede, her education, and her amazing survival abilities. (P)

[Shanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jill makes friends with a neighbor who has special needs, and learns what qualities make a true friend.

This is a good story, but it has not aged well. In the 1970's, there were many misunderstandings and prejudices about people with disabilities. The vocabulary and attitudes of the characters, although realistic at the time it was written, are now uncomfortably insensitive.

[Vanessa St.Onge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute book about friendship and overcoming differences and peer pressure. It's older but I still enjoyed it. I read it when I was around 14 maybe, and it stuck in my head for almost 30 years.

[Reading with Cats · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a decent story marred by extremely dated language that is highly offensive by today’s standards. 2.5 stars

[Madame Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tender story of Jill befriending Dede, a girl with disabilities.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminded me of a neighbor I had as a kid.

[Brendan Cooney · Rating 3 out of 5]

"dede is really nice. she's a good friend and jill likes her. but dede's different... she's retarded. and jill knows that marla and her crowd don't want dede around. jill doesn't want to have to choose between friends, but she promised to go to dede's school party. and now marla is planning a fabulous theater and sleep over party in boston on that same weekend. jill really wants to go, but how can she tell dede?"

quick shot w/ photo booth of the cover: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70...

perhaps the most sad thing i have ever seen/read haha

[SarahKate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fantastic book. Actually, the reason I give it 5 stars is not for it's ability to move me to my core, (which come on, that comes without saying) but because there were at least two versions of this book. I own two. The first one was published with a drawing of a girl with downsydrome on the cover and the back reads; "Dede is really nice. She's a good friend and Jill likes her. But Dede's different....she's retarded."

Solid gold read

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book through novelist. When I finally found the cover, I second guessed myself thinking this couldn't be the book I remember, but then I reread the plot summary and I am positive it is the book I remember.