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What Friends Are For
Set in 1983, at the height of Canada's abortion debate, this powerful, nuanced YA novel follows a young girl as she grapples with an unplanned pregnancy.
At fifteen, Leesa is preoccupied with friends, crushes, and schoolwork and looking forward to the freedom of earning her own money and learning to drive. Although she doesn’t think much about politics, she has marched alongside her mother and friend Jenny, protesting the planned opening of an abortion clinic in her city. In her traditional, close-knit community, abortion feels like a black-and-white issue, with little connection to her real life.
But after she is raped at a party, Leesa’s life suddenly merges with the headlines of the day. Now she is the one dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, and everything she ever believed is turned upside down. As she struggles to make a decision that could determine her whole future, Leesa comes to realize that she is only one who should have the right to make a choice about her own body. But will opening up to her family and friends mean losing them forever?
At fifteen, Leesa is preoccupied with friends, crushes, and schoolwork and looking forward to the freedom of earning her own money and learning to drive. Although she doesn’t think much about politics, she has marched alongside her mother and friend Jenny, protesting the planned opening of an abortion clinic in her city. In her traditional, close-knit community, abortion feels like a black-and-white issue, with little connection to her real life.
But after she is raped at a party, Leesa’s life suddenly merges with the headlines of the day. Now she is the one dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, and everything she ever believed is turned upside down. As she struggles to make a decision that could determine her whole future, Leesa comes to realize that she is only one who should have the right to make a choice about her own body. But will opening up to her family and friends mean losing them forever?
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 2, 2025
Set in my home city of Winnipeg, back in 1983, What Friends are For, presents, with tantalizing tension, the still-hot-button issue of abortion. Told through the eyes of fifteen-year-old, Leesa, I was reminded of the strong emotions this topic brought to media, politics, religious communities and even to my own dinner table. I remember getting up and leaving the table when one of my uncles, a known womanizer who’d served in Hitler’s Wehrmacht, began name-calling Dr. Morgentaler. Yes, the eighties were filled with such characters and such tensions … even here in Winnipeg.
Harriet Zaidman showcases the nuanced views that continue to complicate what should be a straight-forward issue. Our bodies are our own. As Leesa struggles with her unfortunate predicament, we learn about Dr. Henry Morgentaler, the man who courageously fought for women’s right to choose and about the anti-abortionists, including evangelicals, along with brash political activists like Joe Borowski, well known in our city.
Zaidman includes an interesting subplot, focused on a young woman’s murder back in the eighties, where the wrong man was sent to prison. It underlines our city’s hypocrisy and the potential injustice of narrow-minded justice.
Struggling marriages, women's needs for self-fulfillment beyond the household, financial independence and the lack of accountability by young men with enlarged egos and sexual aggression are topics deftly handled by Zaidman. No wonder her previous novels (Strike, 1919 about the union movement in Winnipeg and Second Chances, about the polio epidemic here in Winnipeg) received national attention. With What Friends are For, Zaidman’s social commentary continues to be a catalyst for discussion.
Leesa, the pregnant teenager, is bombarded with both sides of the abortion issue and as a reader, I experienced with her the stress of her discomfort and fear. Kudos to the author for showcasing a topic that continues to be contentious.
Harriet Zaidman showcases the nuanced views that continue to complicate what should be a straight-forward issue. Our bodies are our own. As Leesa struggles with her unfortunate predicament, we learn about Dr. Henry Morgentaler, the man who courageously fought for women’s right to choose and about the anti-abortionists, including evangelicals, along with brash political activists like Joe Borowski, well known in our city.
Zaidman includes an interesting subplot, focused on a young woman’s murder back in the eighties, where the wrong man was sent to prison. It underlines our city’s hypocrisy and the potential injustice of narrow-minded justice.
Struggling marriages, women's needs for self-fulfillment beyond the household, financial independence and the lack of accountability by young men with enlarged egos and sexual aggression are topics deftly handled by Zaidman. No wonder her previous novels (Strike, 1919 about the union movement in Winnipeg and Second Chances, about the polio epidemic here in Winnipeg) received national attention. With What Friends are For, Zaidman’s social commentary continues to be a catalyst for discussion.
Leesa, the pregnant teenager, is bombarded with both sides of the abortion issue and as a reader, I experienced with her the stress of her discomfort and fear. Kudos to the author for showcasing a topic that continues to be contentious.
July 18, 2026
I've been looking forward to reading What Friends Are For by @harrietzaidman. Zaidman is a fellow Winnipegger, (former) teacher and history lover like me, so I knew I would enjoy this book, and it turned out to be a great one!
This historical fiction follows Leesa, a 15 year old Winnipegger in 1983 who is involved in protesting an upcoming opening of an abortion clinic in her community. Leesa and her friends and family who are involved in the protest can't imagine anyone ever aborting a child. That is, until Leesa unexpectedly becomes pregnant...
I love that Zaidman writes in a way that is relevant and relatable to young readers, while bringing in local history and social justice issues. She writes in a way that young people can understanding, while also showing the difference between present day issues and those faced by people in the past, and in this case, issues that people face again today (don't forget - history does repeat itself). I've noticed that students often enjoy historical fiction, especially when the characters are relatable, and I think that this book will definitely be one young adults connect with. I would recommend this for teens interested in learning more about the past, who appreciate social justice issues or ethical debates, especially about women's rights and reproductive rights. I also think adults could enjoy this book, especially Winnipeggers!
I will note that there is a rape scene, though it is fairly closed-door. I do think this would lead to some great conversations and so in some classrooms or school libraries this might be a good option. I hope it finds its way into the hands of young people!
This historical fiction follows Leesa, a 15 year old Winnipegger in 1983 who is involved in protesting an upcoming opening of an abortion clinic in her community. Leesa and her friends and family who are involved in the protest can't imagine anyone ever aborting a child. That is, until Leesa unexpectedly becomes pregnant...
I love that Zaidman writes in a way that is relevant and relatable to young readers, while bringing in local history and social justice issues. She writes in a way that young people can understanding, while also showing the difference between present day issues and those faced by people in the past, and in this case, issues that people face again today (don't forget - history does repeat itself). I've noticed that students often enjoy historical fiction, especially when the characters are relatable, and I think that this book will definitely be one young adults connect with. I would recommend this for teens interested in learning more about the past, who appreciate social justice issues or ethical debates, especially about women's rights and reproductive rights. I also think adults could enjoy this book, especially Winnipeggers!
I will note that there is a rape scene, though it is fairly closed-door. I do think this would lead to some great conversations and so in some classrooms or school libraries this might be a good option. I hope it finds its way into the hands of young people!
December 31, 2025
Incredibly well researched historical fiction about the fight for women's reproductive rights in Canada. The story makes it very accessible. If I taught high school history or English, I'd have a copy of this in my class library.
March 4, 2026
Well-researched and written, this is a thoughtful and taut novel. Highly recommended.
August 26, 2026
Excellent. I can't say enough good things about this novel. Not only is it an important topic, but it is also a terrific read. Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews