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Friend Group #1
Friend Group
From the author of TBH and The Friendship List, Lisa Greenwald, comes a new series about the drama of middle school—and the group chat.
Sadie and Olive have never been part of their class’s popular friend group. Those girls—Pella, Annabelle, Cleo, and The Other Sadie—seem like creatures from another planet. They wear the trendiest clothes, have the best hair, flirt with the cutest boys, and speak their own language. By comparison, Sadie and Olive are invisible . . . until Sadie is accidentally added to the popular girls’ group chat. Armed with an inside perspective, Sadie sets out to join the friend group—IRL—before they figure out that they’ve got the wrong Sadie.
Sadie and Olive have never been part of their class’s popular friend group. Those girls—Pella, Annabelle, Cleo, and The Other Sadie—seem like creatures from another planet. They wear the trendiest clothes, have the best hair, flirt with the cutest boys, and speak their own language. By comparison, Sadie and Olive are invisible . . . until Sadie is accidentally added to the popular girls’ group chat. Armed with an inside perspective, Sadie sets out to join the friend group—IRL—before they figure out that they’ve got the wrong Sadie.
352 pages, Paperback
Published May 12, 2026
About the author
Lisa Greenwald
41 books519 followersA long bio can be kind of boring, so instead I'm going to pretend
that a famous journalist (maybe Barbara Walters) is interviewing me.
The only thing is, I'm making up the questions.
If you think of any other questions you'd like me to answer, send me an email and ask away!
Q. Where did you grow up?
A. I lived in Fairfield, Connecticut until the end of fifth grade and then I moved to Roslyn Heights, New York. That's on Long Island. But I don't have a bad Lawn Guyland accent, I promise.
Q. Do you have any siblings?
A. Yes, I have two younger brothers. I always wanted a sister, but it's kind of nice being the only daughter in the family, and my brothers and I are really close.
Q. What about the rest of your family? Are you close with them too?
A. Yes, family is really important to me. I talk to my parents and grandparents every day.
Q. Are you married?
A. Yes, to a fabulous guy named Dave. We met at sleep away camp when I was sixteen.
Q. Do you have any kids?
A. Yes, my daughter Aleah Violet Rosenberg was born on May 28th, 2010 and I personally think she's the cutest baby in the world, but of course I am biased.
Q. Do you have any pets?
A. I had a miniature toy poodle named Yoffi, but he died in 2007. I miss him so much.
Q. That's sad. Do you think you will get another dog?
A. I would love to adopt one very soon!
Q. What is your favorite book?
A. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt is my favorite book in the whole entire world. I read it in sixth grade in Ms. Mayer's class. I have read many books since then, but Tuck Everlasting is still my absolute favorite.
Q. What is your favorite movie?
A. I have two. Clueless and Avalon.
Q. What's one of the craziest things that's ever happened to you?
A. I won a radio contest at the end of eighth grade! Someone from Z100 called me up and asked me to say the "phrase that pays" and I answered correctly. I won a thousand dollars.
Q. Did you always want to be a writer?
A. No, not always. I wanted to be a hair stylist, then a concert pianist, then a rabbi. But I always loved making up stories, so I think writing is the perfect job for me.
Q. Where did you go to college?
A. I went to Binghamton University in upstate New York. I was an English major with a concentration in creative writing. It's reallllllllly cold in Binghamton. Then two years after I graduated college, I went to The New School to get my MFA in writing for children.
Q. You mentioned that you met Dave at sleep away camp. Did you really like sleep away camp?
A. YES! I loved it. I went to Eisner Camp in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. I would go back to camp forever if only I could. Sleep away camp is the best place in the world.
Q. Tell me some other things you really like.
A. Okay. Here's a short list: sleeping late, fancy hotels, reading and writing (duh!,) peanut m&ms, flip flops, sweatpants, people watching, New York City, cheese omelets, weddings, pedicures, looking at old pictures and re-reading old cards and letters.
Q. Tell me some things you really dislike.
A. Peas, mean people, rats and mice, sweating, pants and skirts with a side zipper, spicy food, uncomfortable shoes, people clipping their nails on the subway, feeling lonely or thinking about other people who might feel lonely.
Q. MY LIFE IN PINK & GREEN is about a pharmacy. Do you really like pharmacies?
A. Yes, I love them! I love the way they smell and the way the aisles are arranged. I love when the pharmacists know the customers and I love looking at all the beauty products.
Q. Do you write every day?
A. I try to, but in addition to writing I also work in the library at The Birch Wathen Lenox School in Manhattan. I love being around kids and books and talking to kids about books!
Q. I don't have any more questions. Is there anything else you'd like to add?
A. Just that I hope readers like my book, and I'd love to hear from all of them if they want to talk to me!
that a famous journalist (maybe Barbara Walters) is interviewing me.
The only thing is, I'm making up the questions.
If you think of any other questions you'd like me to answer, send me an email and ask away!
Q. Where did you grow up?
A. I lived in Fairfield, Connecticut until the end of fifth grade and then I moved to Roslyn Heights, New York. That's on Long Island. But I don't have a bad Lawn Guyland accent, I promise.
Q. Do you have any siblings?
A. Yes, I have two younger brothers. I always wanted a sister, but it's kind of nice being the only daughter in the family, and my brothers and I are really close.
Q. What about the rest of your family? Are you close with them too?
A. Yes, family is really important to me. I talk to my parents and grandparents every day.
Q. Are you married?
A. Yes, to a fabulous guy named Dave. We met at sleep away camp when I was sixteen.
Q. Do you have any kids?
A. Yes, my daughter Aleah Violet Rosenberg was born on May 28th, 2010 and I personally think she's the cutest baby in the world, but of course I am biased.
Q. Do you have any pets?
A. I had a miniature toy poodle named Yoffi, but he died in 2007. I miss him so much.
Q. That's sad. Do you think you will get another dog?
A. I would love to adopt one very soon!
Q. What is your favorite book?
A. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt is my favorite book in the whole entire world. I read it in sixth grade in Ms. Mayer's class. I have read many books since then, but Tuck Everlasting is still my absolute favorite.
Q. What is your favorite movie?
A. I have two. Clueless and Avalon.
Q. What's one of the craziest things that's ever happened to you?
A. I won a radio contest at the end of eighth grade! Someone from Z100 called me up and asked me to say the "phrase that pays" and I answered correctly. I won a thousand dollars.
Q. Did you always want to be a writer?
A. No, not always. I wanted to be a hair stylist, then a concert pianist, then a rabbi. But I always loved making up stories, so I think writing is the perfect job for me.
Q. Where did you go to college?
A. I went to Binghamton University in upstate New York. I was an English major with a concentration in creative writing. It's reallllllllly cold in Binghamton. Then two years after I graduated college, I went to The New School to get my MFA in writing for children.
Q. You mentioned that you met Dave at sleep away camp. Did you really like sleep away camp?
A. YES! I loved it. I went to Eisner Camp in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. I would go back to camp forever if only I could. Sleep away camp is the best place in the world.
Q. Tell me some other things you really like.
A. Okay. Here's a short list: sleeping late, fancy hotels, reading and writing (duh!,) peanut m&ms, flip flops, sweatpants, people watching, New York City, cheese omelets, weddings, pedicures, looking at old pictures and re-reading old cards and letters.
Q. Tell me some things you really dislike.
A. Peas, mean people, rats and mice, sweating, pants and skirts with a side zipper, spicy food, uncomfortable shoes, people clipping their nails on the subway, feeling lonely or thinking about other people who might feel lonely.
Q. MY LIFE IN PINK & GREEN is about a pharmacy. Do you really like pharmacies?
A. Yes, I love them! I love the way they smell and the way the aisles are arranged. I love when the pharmacists know the customers and I love looking at all the beauty products.
Q. Do you write every day?
A. I try to, but in addition to writing I also work in the library at The Birch Wathen Lenox School in Manhattan. I love being around kids and books and talking to kids about books!
Q. I don't have any more questions. Is there anything else you'd like to add?
A. Just that I hope readers like my book, and I'd love to hear from all of them if they want to talk to me!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 7, 2025
3.5 stars
This review is based on an ARC of Friend Group which I received courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher (HarperCollins Children's Books).
I loved this in a way that made me nostalgic for the tween girl series' of my youth, but with a new age twist. Lisa Greenwald's Friend Group is the kind of bittersweet candy I used to get from Lauren Myracle, Caroline Mackler, et al.
I enjoyed the dynamics amongst the girls--within and without their respective friend groups. I really appreciate the honesty and human nature reflected between girls, the back and forth, the confusion and frustration. This story can be both an escape and a guide for tweens struggling with similar situations in their lives.
Towards the end of the book I found myself thinking, "Oh, I really hope this will be a series--more, please!" (Lucky me, it will be!)
My only complaint would be that I found the dialogue (and especially the text conversations) to be low-brow; simples slangy. I understand that, yes, realistically, these are children and their way of speaking in the book is accurate to real life, but as a highly literate (and arrogant) adult, I feel that children's books should host a higher standard of literacy for readers.
TL;DR: as a late-20s woman this book made me giddy and momentarily filled the void. I would definitely recommend this book! Now, off to the library on a hunt for more Greenwald novels!
This review is based on an ARC of Friend Group which I received courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher (HarperCollins Children's Books).
I loved this in a way that made me nostalgic for the tween girl series' of my youth, but with a new age twist. Lisa Greenwald's Friend Group is the kind of bittersweet candy I used to get from Lauren Myracle, Caroline Mackler, et al.
I enjoyed the dynamics amongst the girls--within and without their respective friend groups. I really appreciate the honesty and human nature reflected between girls, the back and forth, the confusion and frustration. This story can be both an escape and a guide for tweens struggling with similar situations in their lives.
Towards the end of the book I found myself thinking, "Oh, I really hope this will be a series--more, please!" (Lucky me, it will be!)
My only complaint would be that I found the dialogue (and especially the text conversations) to be low-brow; simples slangy. I understand that, yes, realistically, these are children and their way of speaking in the book is accurate to real life, but as a highly literate (and arrogant) adult, I feel that children's books should host a higher standard of literacy for readers.
TL;DR: as a late-20s woman this book made me giddy and momentarily filled the void. I would definitely recommend this book! Now, off to the library on a hunt for more Greenwald novels!
January 20, 2026
Content:
Taking Gods name in vain, a lot!
Teasing that a girl is in love with another girl
Divorce
The whole story was basically a bratty girl wanting to be apart of another group of girls who aren’t the best either and she lies and is just obsessed with a guy and the girl group.
I didn’t like how this portrayed tween girls, they were obsessed with looks and clothes and would team up to bully people.
The whole way the main girl treated her best friend was awful! She was mean and would purposely leave her out of things because she didn’t want to share the big secret.
Plus the whole obsession with the guy was just off, they are kids and why is there never any parental involvement in these type of books? There was just a whole lotta drama.
I did like some parts but I can’t recommend this because of how it portrays tween girls and friendships.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc for this book.
Taking Gods name in vain, a lot!
Teasing that a girl is in love with another girl
Divorce
The whole story was basically a bratty girl wanting to be apart of another group of girls who aren’t the best either and she lies and is just obsessed with a guy and the girl group.
I didn’t like how this portrayed tween girls, they were obsessed with looks and clothes and would team up to bully people.
The whole way the main girl treated her best friend was awful! She was mean and would purposely leave her out of things because she didn’t want to share the big secret.
Plus the whole obsession with the guy was just off, they are kids and why is there never any parental involvement in these type of books? There was just a whole lotta drama.
I did like some parts but I can’t recommend this because of how it portrays tween girls and friendships.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc for this book.
Read
February 25, 2026My review will be published in School Library Journal.
Source: free digital review copy via SLJ
Source: free digital review copy via SLJ
September 17, 2026
Another gem by this author. A great book about friendships, growing pain and group chats.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This novel is pure middle school drama, and Greenwald does a fantastic job of keeping it accurate, fast-paced, and full of twists. Sadie and Olive have been friends forever — thanks to their mothers being friends, they were basically born with a built-in best friend. Throughout elementary school, they were a duo, but Sadie always longed to be part of a bigger friend group. So when they move on to a middle school with grades 7 and 8, Sadie sees it as her chance to finally branch out — especially with the popular crowd she desperately wants to join. Because of this, the novel follows two main plotlines at once: Sadie’s attempt to break into the friend group, and the shifting dynamic of her friendship with Olive.
The novel explores underlying themes of belonging and growing up, particularly as Sadie and Olive begin to drift apart — something that feels very true to real-life childhood friendships. Sadie wants to wear makeup, date, and be active on social media like the “cool” kids, while Olive is content staying closer to who she was in fifth grade. It doesn’t feel like Olive refuses to grow up, but rather that she wants to take that growth more slowly than Sadie, whose changes feel much more sudden. I do wish Greenwald had pushed this conflict a bit further and allowed for more emotional tension. Given that this is clearly aimed at a younger audience, it feels like Greenwald avoids going too deep or “dark” with the friendship conflict, instead choosing to show that you can grow, make new friends, and still hold onto old ones.
The second major plotline revolves around Sadie and the popular group — and ties directly to the title. Someone in the group accidentally adds Sadie to their group chat, mistaking her for a different Sadie. Suddenly, she becomes a fly on the wall, holding onto a huge secret while trying to get closer to the very people she’s secretly observing. It’s not surprising that this situation eventually blows up, but Greenwald handles it well, building tension and pacing it in a way that makes the fallout feel impactful.
Overall, this novel is fun and fast-paced. While it may lack deeper emotional complexity and leans into an “everything works out” kind of ending, it’s still an enjoyable and engaging read.
The novel explores underlying themes of belonging and growing up, particularly as Sadie and Olive begin to drift apart — something that feels very true to real-life childhood friendships. Sadie wants to wear makeup, date, and be active on social media like the “cool” kids, while Olive is content staying closer to who she was in fifth grade. It doesn’t feel like Olive refuses to grow up, but rather that she wants to take that growth more slowly than Sadie, whose changes feel much more sudden. I do wish Greenwald had pushed this conflict a bit further and allowed for more emotional tension. Given that this is clearly aimed at a younger audience, it feels like Greenwald avoids going too deep or “dark” with the friendship conflict, instead choosing to show that you can grow, make new friends, and still hold onto old ones.
The second major plotline revolves around Sadie and the popular group — and ties directly to the title. Someone in the group accidentally adds Sadie to their group chat, mistaking her for a different Sadie. Suddenly, she becomes a fly on the wall, holding onto a huge secret while trying to get closer to the very people she’s secretly observing. It’s not surprising that this situation eventually blows up, but Greenwald handles it well, building tension and pacing it in a way that makes the fallout feel impactful.
Overall, this novel is fun and fast-paced. While it may lack deeper emotional complexity and leans into an “everything works out” kind of ending, it’s still an enjoyable and engaging read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Advanced listening copy courtesy of Harper Audio via NetGalley —one I was genuinely curious to dive into, especially given its tween-centered lens.
3.75⭐️
OMG yes, the authenticity is there… but I kept waiting for something to fully click into place.
This one really nails the tween girl experience. From a realism standpoint? Spot on. The conflicts, the shifting friendships, the emotional highs and lows—if you’ve spent any time around middle schoolers, you’ll recognize these dynamics immediately. Even when things feel slightly dramatized, the core issues are very real and incredibly relevant.
And that’s where this book shines most: its value. For readers in that 8–12 range, this has the potential to be both eye-opening and validating. It clearly highlights harmful behaviors, explores consequences, and reinforces what genuine friendship should look like—all wrapped in a story that feels true to their world.
But for me, it was missing a bit of the lightness of tweenhood. There wasn’t quite enough of those joyful, connective moments to balance out the heavier themes, and at times it felt like it needed a stronger thread to tie everything together. Because of that, parts of it fell a little flat despite the strong foundation.
I experienced this via audiobook, narrated by Cassandra Lee Morris. It did take my adult ears a minute to adjust—her performance is very authentic to the age group, almost to the point where it initially felt a bit jarring. But honestly? That authenticity is exactly what will make this work so well for the intended audience. It feels like listening to a friend tell the story.
My one small challenge: I’m a speed-it-up listener, and with the higher-pitched delivery, things got a little chipmunk-adjacent at faster speeds. That said, once I adjusted, I was able to find a rhythm that worked.
I will say, the second half is where this really comes together. If the beginning feels a bit slow or disconnected, stick with it. There’s a worthwhile payoff that makes the journey feel more complete.
3.75⭐️
OMG yes, the authenticity is there… but I kept waiting for something to fully click into place.
This one really nails the tween girl experience. From a realism standpoint? Spot on. The conflicts, the shifting friendships, the emotional highs and lows—if you’ve spent any time around middle schoolers, you’ll recognize these dynamics immediately. Even when things feel slightly dramatized, the core issues are very real and incredibly relevant.
And that’s where this book shines most: its value. For readers in that 8–12 range, this has the potential to be both eye-opening and validating. It clearly highlights harmful behaviors, explores consequences, and reinforces what genuine friendship should look like—all wrapped in a story that feels true to their world.
But for me, it was missing a bit of the lightness of tweenhood. There wasn’t quite enough of those joyful, connective moments to balance out the heavier themes, and at times it felt like it needed a stronger thread to tie everything together. Because of that, parts of it fell a little flat despite the strong foundation.
I experienced this via audiobook, narrated by Cassandra Lee Morris. It did take my adult ears a minute to adjust—her performance is very authentic to the age group, almost to the point where it initially felt a bit jarring. But honestly? That authenticity is exactly what will make this work so well for the intended audience. It feels like listening to a friend tell the story.
My one small challenge: I’m a speed-it-up listener, and with the higher-pitched delivery, things got a little chipmunk-adjacent at faster speeds. That said, once I adjusted, I was able to find a rhythm that worked.
I will say, the second half is where this really comes together. If the beginning feels a bit slow or disconnected, stick with it. There’s a worthwhile payoff that makes the journey feel more complete.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio Childrens for the ALC of Friend Group by Lisa Greenwald, narrated by Cassandra Lee Morris.
This book can best be described as a middle school version of the movie Mean Girls. If you are familiar with the movie, when Cady infiltrates The Plastics, she loses herself, her true friends, and becomes one of the awful people she was trying to destroy. This is the middle school version. When Sadie is accidentally added to the popular girls’ chat group, she thinks it’s her lucky day. She doesn’t tell anyone she has been added, nor does she leave the group chat. Instead, she uses it to gain insight into the popular girls’ lives and learns what they think is “cool” and then uses the information to change who she is to try to get an invite to sit at this lunch table and the coveted invite to join the friend group. But just like in the movie, she manages to lose herself, hurt her best friend Olive, and lose the respect of many others.
There are tons of great lessons for young readers in this book, and it is highly entertaining even for adult readers. Even though I thoroughly enjoy reading middle-grade, I often steer clear of audiobooks because the narrator’s voice is too screechy. I understand middle-grade books are for young readers, and the narrator should be a young person as well. I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. Yes, the narrator had a young-sounding voice, but it was NOT irritating or screechy in the slightest. This audiobook narrator brought the characters to life and was able to add slight distinctions to the many characters’ voices, not an easy feat.
Her narration style allows readers to truly experience the emotions of Sadie and Olive at their toughest moments. The narrator maintained a balanced tone, a steady cadence, and effortless expression in her voice. Overall, I feel this audiobook was well produced and featured a talented narrator.
I would highly recommend this audiobook!
Audiobook length: 6 hours, 22 mins
This book can best be described as a middle school version of the movie Mean Girls. If you are familiar with the movie, when Cady infiltrates The Plastics, she loses herself, her true friends, and becomes one of the awful people she was trying to destroy. This is the middle school version. When Sadie is accidentally added to the popular girls’ chat group, she thinks it’s her lucky day. She doesn’t tell anyone she has been added, nor does she leave the group chat. Instead, she uses it to gain insight into the popular girls’ lives and learns what they think is “cool” and then uses the information to change who she is to try to get an invite to sit at this lunch table and the coveted invite to join the friend group. But just like in the movie, she manages to lose herself, hurt her best friend Olive, and lose the respect of many others.
There are tons of great lessons for young readers in this book, and it is highly entertaining even for adult readers. Even though I thoroughly enjoy reading middle-grade, I often steer clear of audiobooks because the narrator’s voice is too screechy. I understand middle-grade books are for young readers, and the narrator should be a young person as well. I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. Yes, the narrator had a young-sounding voice, but it was NOT irritating or screechy in the slightest. This audiobook narrator brought the characters to life and was able to add slight distinctions to the many characters’ voices, not an easy feat.
Her narration style allows readers to truly experience the emotions of Sadie and Olive at their toughest moments. The narrator maintained a balanced tone, a steady cadence, and effortless expression in her voice. Overall, I feel this audiobook was well produced and featured a talented narrator.
I would highly recommend this audiobook!
Audiobook length: 6 hours, 22 mins
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Sadie Zankel is best friends with Olive Horowitz-Yang, and it's always been two of them against the world. As they start 7th grade, Sadie is very interested in the lives of the other Sadie Z (Zicholtz) and her friends group, who are all the popular girls. When she is accidentally added to their group chat, she has a direct line to what to wear, where to hang out, and what the girls are saying about her. Since both she and the Other Sadie Z (OSZ) both have a crush on Eli, this is especially valuable. There is a ton of drama in the group, but Sadie and Olive also struggle with finding a cafeteria to inhabit. Olive isn't as concerned about popularity as Sadie is, and when she finds out that Sadie has been hiding the group chat from her, she isn't happy. OSZ is unhappy when Eli likes Sadie and not her, and when Olive tells the group that Sadie has been secretly following their messages, there's a blow up. Sadie, who has gotten along fairly well with the girls in the group, especially Annabelle, who is struggling with all of the drama, apologizes to everyone, and by the end of the book, the girls are all getting along fairly well.
My students ADORE the TBH series so much that the books have worn out and I have to buy a whole new set of them, so I will definitely purchase this title. This has more straight text, which I appreciated, but plenty of text messages. I am definitely buying a copy of this. I loved that Sadie and Olive's mothers were best friends and really concerned about their daughters, and even though there is some petty meanness, the girls are all good kids and learn to get along by the end of the book.
Sadie Zankel is best friends with Olive Horowitz-Yang, and it's always been two of them against the world. As they start 7th grade, Sadie is very interested in the lives of the other Sadie Z (Zicholtz) and her friends group, who are all the popular girls. When she is accidentally added to their group chat, she has a direct line to what to wear, where to hang out, and what the girls are saying about her. Since both she and the Other Sadie Z (OSZ) both have a crush on Eli, this is especially valuable. There is a ton of drama in the group, but Sadie and Olive also struggle with finding a cafeteria to inhabit. Olive isn't as concerned about popularity as Sadie is, and when she finds out that Sadie has been hiding the group chat from her, she isn't happy. OSZ is unhappy when Eli likes Sadie and not her, and when Olive tells the group that Sadie has been secretly following their messages, there's a blow up. Sadie, who has gotten along fairly well with the girls in the group, especially Annabelle, who is struggling with all of the drama, apologizes to everyone, and by the end of the book, the girls are all getting along fairly well.
My students ADORE the TBH series so much that the books have worn out and I have to buy a whole new set of them, so I will definitely purchase this title. This has more straight text, which I appreciated, but plenty of text messages. I am definitely buying a copy of this. I loved that Sadie and Olive's mothers were best friends and really concerned about their daughters, and even though there is some petty meanness, the girls are all good kids and learn to get along by the end of the book.
July 1, 2026
I liked this book for reasons other people probably disliked it. Said reasons:
- The protagonist grew away from her slightly awkward/clingy friend, instead the other way around. In most MG books about friendship - so basically all of them - the awkward/clingy character is the protagonist that doesn't understand why her cool and newly grown up friend doesn't want to hand out anymore (ex: The Thing About Jellyfish, Happy & Sad & Everything True, Just Jaime, etc). This isn't a bad narrative, as it is relatable to many readers, but it was nice to see the other side of the story.
- Sadie doesn't make the best choice with regards to her staying in the popular girls' group chat, but she makes the one other teens would make if they found themselves in that same (albeit improbable) situation. I liked this because it was realistic; no one can make correct or kind decisions all the time.
- Sadie and Olive decide to spend some time apart, which I think is good for both of them and also indicates a healthy, resilient friendship. Olive is more understanding than I would have been, though. #goals I guess.
Things (well, thing) I disliked about the book:
- All the moms were friends, yet they had no idea the way their daughters acted. I've noticed this in Greenwald's other books as well, and it has just always struck me as a tad weird. Also the level of friendship between the moms was a little much. Like, you have your own group chat? Chill. Also, get your kids off their phones.
Overall, it was a cute and light little read. Definitely recommend!!
- The protagonist grew away from her slightly awkward/clingy friend, instead the other way around. In most MG books about friendship - so basically all of them - the awkward/clingy character is the protagonist that doesn't understand why her cool and newly grown up friend doesn't want to hand out anymore (ex: The Thing About Jellyfish, Happy & Sad & Everything True, Just Jaime, etc). This isn't a bad narrative, as it is relatable to many readers, but it was nice to see the other side of the story.
- Sadie doesn't make the best choice with regards to her staying in the popular girls' group chat, but she makes the one other teens would make if they found themselves in that same (albeit improbable) situation. I liked this because it was realistic; no one can make correct or kind decisions all the time.
- Sadie and Olive decide to spend some time apart, which I think is good for both of them and also indicates a healthy, resilient friendship. Olive is more understanding than I would have been, though. #goals I guess.
Things (well, thing) I disliked about the book:
- All the moms were friends, yet they had no idea the way their daughters acted. I've noticed this in Greenwald's other books as well, and it has just always struck me as a tad weird. Also the level of friendship between the moms was a little much. Like, you have your own group chat? Chill. Also, get your kids off their phones.
Overall, it was a cute and light little read. Definitely recommend!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2026
This book is so realistic, it is almost like I am back in middle school! The way that Sadie is so focused on having friends, while her best friend doesn’t see any issues with just being a duo is right on trend with how middle schoolers act. Everyone starts to change, and that can really test friendships. I also appreciate how even within the Group Chat friend group, it wasn’t seen as perfect. There were characters fighting in the sidelines too, because middle school isn’t easy for the popular kids either. I do wonder if more could have been done with the moms of Sadie and Olive, especially with Sadie and Olive becoming teenagers. They seemed almost too accepting of their moms interfering when teenagers are often the opposite, but I can also appreciate the need for mature voices to remind the characters (and young readers) of what is logical. I also wish more had been explored with Olive- I would have loved to see her diagnosed with anxiety or something along those lines as it is hinted at but never determined. That being said, the story focuses on characters who are so real, I could picture them in any middle school today. The plot drives home some great points about how change is scary but not always bad, while also emphasizing that just because you are changing doesn’t mean you have to abandon every part of you that came before. Overall, I very much enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to middle schoolers who are facing the same social challenges!
July 3, 2026
Sophie Z is excited and nervous to be starting middle school. She has her best friend, Olive, by her side and lots of confidence that this will be the year they join a larger friend group. But the day before school starts, she accidentally gets added to a group chat with the popular girls she has always admired from afar. Sophie doesn’t tell anyone and secretly “listens in” on the group chat, gaining tips and insight that help her try to move in on the friend group. But things get very complicated as she tries to balance the many secrets, impressing the popular girls, getting her crush to notice her, and not angering her best friend in the process. Can she get everything she wants in middle school without losing all the good things she already had?
This book is a mix of text conversations and regular prose. There are many different characters to keep track of, but the author has written a clear and easy to follow story. Cringe-worthy middle school scenes and questionable choices are interspersed with sweet and caring conversations. Even the “mean girls” are not cruel and there are supportive parents behind all of these pre-teens.
An excellent novel for tweens that are craving maturity, romance, and drama, but aren’t ready for anything too heavy or traumatic.
This book is a mix of text conversations and regular prose. There are many different characters to keep track of, but the author has written a clear and easy to follow story. Cringe-worthy middle school scenes and questionable choices are interspersed with sweet and caring conversations. Even the “mean girls” are not cruel and there are supportive parents behind all of these pre-teens.
An excellent novel for tweens that are craving maturity, romance, and drama, but aren’t ready for anything too heavy or traumatic.
July 29, 2026
This is one I actually read this year recently! I love this book it is probably my 2nd favorite book (my favorite is still the Underdogs of Upson Downs) I love the whole 2 Sadie Zs thing and the group chat and the Olive chaos (even though I think Olive is a weird name) I love Lisa Greenwalds books even though they drag a little in some spots and sometimes they overwhelm me with how thick they are.
I also like how Sadie Z\OSZ lets the Other Sadie Z (point of view Sadie Z) into the "friend group" although I am still confused how Sadie got added the group chat with OSZ on it too and sometimes Olive was annoying. I liked the whole Annabele drama but for some reason I think that should've been Cleo instead I feel like she doesn't fit into the group as well one other thing that leaves me hanging is the Purple Fences then again, I don't see how a hoodie would add much too the story. I understand that the pool chapter sets the scene for the rest of the book, but it seems kind of useless also in that chapter not at all does talk about Pella which left me confused One last I would've liked more things about Minnie It might seem like a lot of complaints but they are just picky things I love this book all in all.
I also like how Sadie Z\OSZ lets the Other Sadie Z (point of view Sadie Z) into the "friend group" although I am still confused how Sadie got added the group chat with OSZ on it too and sometimes Olive was annoying. I liked the whole Annabele drama but for some reason I think that should've been Cleo instead I feel like she doesn't fit into the group as well one other thing that leaves me hanging is the Purple Fences then again, I don't see how a hoodie would add much too the story. I understand that the pool chapter sets the scene for the rest of the book, but it seems kind of useless also in that chapter not at all does talk about Pella which left me confused One last I would've liked more things about Minnie It might seem like a lot of complaints but they are just picky things I love this book all in all.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is such a realistic middle school novel. Friend Group’s main character, Sadie, accidentally gets added into the group chat for the popular girls from her school, whom she holds up on a pedestal. She knows she’s not supposed to be on it, as her BFF Olive keeps reminding her, but she can’t bring herself to get out of it since she suddenly feels like she’s almost a part of their friend group. This book focuses on the difficulties of transitioning from elementary to middle school, friendships, and first relationships. The conflicts in this novel felt very realistic for middle schoolers, however, I did feel that the climax of the reveal of Sadie being in the group chat and the resolution to this at the end felt a tad rushed. I was so locked into the anxiety of Sadie possibly being revealed to be in the group message and then when it happened it didn’t feel like there was any true blowback.
Overall, I did enjoy this and I feel that fans of Greenwald’s other works will too! It’s full of fun, messy middle school drama which I think will have readers hooked.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, I did enjoy this and I feel that fans of Greenwald’s other works will too! It’s full of fun, messy middle school drama which I think will have readers hooked.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Middle school is going to be hard, but Sadie and Olive are going to try to navigate it to the best extent possible. The biggest stress is finding the right cafeteria table and becoming part of a group. Sadie is also navigating a serious crush with a boy who the Other Sadie also happens to be crushing on. When Sadie is accidentally added to the cool kids' group text (because the Sadies' contact information got mixed up) she uses her secret insider information to arrange chance encounters in the hopes of being added to the group in her own right.
I liked this book for the underlying message of being careful with digital communication. I found Sadie (the main character, not the Other Sadie) a bit annoying and mean to her BFF Olive. Olive is unique and self-assured and puts up with Sadie using her more than she should. The Other Sadie was annoying and mean also, but given her role in the book as one of the popular kids, that was to be expected. Good enough tween title if someone is looking to add to their middle school romance or realistic fiction section.
I liked this book for the underlying message of being careful with digital communication. I found Sadie (the main character, not the Other Sadie) a bit annoying and mean to her BFF Olive. Olive is unique and self-assured and puts up with Sadie using her more than she should. The Other Sadie was annoying and mean also, but given her role in the book as one of the popular kids, that was to be expected. Good enough tween title if someone is looking to add to their middle school romance or realistic fiction section.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a cute little middle grade novel about 12-year-old Sadie Zankel, who is accidentally added to the popular group's private group chat. The Other Sadie Z, aka OSZ, is the most popular girl in school, with effortless style, confidence, and a perfect friend group. When the group chat mistakenly adds Sadie Zankel, she knows she should leave. But this is her chance to learn how to be cool, and maybe, how to finally join the friend group. Sadie is happy being a twosome with her best friend Olive, but wouldn't middle school be better with a whole group of friends?
This is a cute, readable book with very realistic tween drama. Lessons in how to be a good friend and how to be a good digital citizen enrich the narrative.
Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy of this book!
This is a cute, readable book with very realistic tween drama. Lessons in how to be a good friend and how to be a good digital citizen enrich the narrative.
Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy of this book!
August 15, 2026
Olive and Sadie are so excited to start 7th grade at the middle school. One of the things they wish, though, is to be part of the popular group. Those girls don't exclude them; they just aren't invited. But when Sadie is accidentally added to their group chat, she suddenly has inside knowledge of what the popular kids are doing, where they are going, what they are wearing etc. But they don't know they got the wrong Sadie, and she's not telling anyone, not even her best friend Olive.
Knowing she's lurking on someone else's group chat is disconcerting and cringy. That said, there were a lot of discussion-starting things that happened in this novel - it would make a great book club choice. Sadie is Jewish, Olive is Asian, the friends are multi-cultural
Knowing she's lurking on someone else's group chat is disconcerting and cringy. That said, there were a lot of discussion-starting things that happened in this novel - it would make a great book club choice. Sadie is Jewish, Olive is Asian, the friends are multi-cultural
September 7, 2026
Best friends Sadie and Olive have always stuck together, but when Sadie is accidentally added to a group chat with the popular girls, she suddenly has an inside look at the “it” crowd and information that helps her find her way in. As Sadie grows closer to her new friends, however, she begins pulling away from Olive. This engaging story perfectly captures the messy highs and lows of seventh grade, including shifting friendships, first crushes, self-doubt, the desire to fit in, and the mistakes kids make along the way. Chapters alternate between Sadie’s first-person narration and group text exchanges, creating a fast-paced, relatable format that will keep readers turning the pages to see what Sadie does next.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sadie is best friends with Olive as they navigate entering middle school. Sadie is accidentally added to a group chat with girls she would like to befriend, so she stays on that chat to learn more about them. She and Olive look for a new lunch table every school day. Olive seems to be getting more anxious. Their moms are also best friends. Olive doesn’t think Sadie should stay in the group chat, nor should she read the messages, Olive wants to know what the messages say, she thinks Sadie is getting too obsessed. They argue. Sadie thinks Eli is cute. So does the Other Sadie Z who is in the group chat.
Lots of middle school drama.
Lots of middle school drama.
June 3, 2026
Middle School friend drama is the worst! Lisa Greenwald did an excellent job capturing the stress and competing expectations and desires as Sadie is accidentally added to the popular girls group chat. Of course she stays in it, who wouldn't want to be a fly on that wall? The desire to fit in with the popular crew begins to drive a wedge between Sadie and her long-time best friend Olive, who is dealing with her own anxiety about fitting in. A great read about navigating the constantly changing landscape of middle school friend groups. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley
eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you’ve ever felt like an outsider looking into a "cool" inner circle, Friend Group will hit home. It’s a super relatable middle-school drama that kicks off when Sadie, who usually feels invisible, gets accidentally added to the popular girls' group chat. It’s got all the fun (and stress) of digital age friendships—think emojis, screenshots, and the mission to finally belong "in real life." It’s a quick, funny read that captures that exact moment when you're just trying to figure out where you fit.
May 18, 2026
Best friends Sadie and Olive are starting middle school, and for Sadie, she wants to branch out and make more friends. However Olive is perfectly happy staying where she’s at, with just Sadie as a friend. When Sadie accidentally gets added to the popular girls’ group chat, Sadie and Olive’s friendship takes a turn.
For me this book was pure middle school girl drama which dragged out a bit too long. I also did not like the way it ended–it felt too quick and easy with them both all of a sudden getting over their feelings without working it out.
For me this book was pure middle school girl drama which dragged out a bit too long. I also did not like the way it ended–it felt too quick and easy with them both all of a sudden getting over their feelings without working it out.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 2, 2026Middle school— what a time! 😭 Reading this as an adult with a pre-teen daughter was HARD because of all the feelings it stirred up. Friendships, boy drama, friend drama— mixed up with the age of cellphones in kids’ hands—- I felt like it was a lesson in what could happen. I didn’t like the ending— I felt like it ended a little too neatly for real life— but don’t let it stop you from reading. Middle school girls will devour this.
May 29, 2026
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC.
I think middle grade readers will love this book. It is full of drama and explores different relationships between the characters. I think this book has some good themes in it as well. However this book just simply wasn't for me and I just couldn't get fully into this one. I also did not like the performance of the narrator. It just didn't work for me in this book.
I think middle grade readers will love this book. It is full of drama and explores different relationships between the characters. I think this book has some good themes in it as well. However this book just simply wasn't for me and I just couldn't get fully into this one. I also did not like the performance of the narrator. It just didn't work for me in this book.
August 21, 2026
I had a lot of issues with this book overall. For instance, the protagonist was such a brat and a terrible friend, and I wanted more people to yell at her and for her to truly understand how terrible she'd been by the end of this book. Also, the dialogue read really cringy. No one SAYS "lol" or "gc" in actual conversation. I think the story would've read better if it had been fully epistolary with diary entries instead of just having the text messages be the epistolary parts. I did like how the text messages were woven throughout, and it did feel authentically middle school drama angsty, but boy, I had a hard time getting through the very unrealistic dialogue.
(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)
(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I received this digital ARC from Edelweiss.
This was really cute. Sadie was a realistic character and I felt for her struggles as she was growing and changing.
It’s interesting to me that the focus is on friend groups rather than BFFs because when I was Sadie’s age it was definitely very important to have a best friend rather than a friend group.
This was really cute. Sadie was a realistic character and I felt for her struggles as she was growing and changing.
It’s interesting to me that the focus is on friend groups rather than BFFs because when I was Sadie’s age it was definitely very important to have a best friend rather than a friend group.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Fun new novel from the TBH series author, Lisa Greenwald. Greenwald perfectly captures the feeling of being a tweenager in today's world with group chats, the awkward where to sit at lunch and first crushes and boyfriends in middle school
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There will be lots of appeal for this story that is all drama all the time. It has a compelling twist: a 7th grade girl who shares the same name as another girl gets added accidentally to the popular girls group chat and when they don't notice, she has access to all of their secrets.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
This was a cute book! Perfect for the middle school years. What happens when Sadie Z accidentally gets added to the popular girls group text. Does Sadie still want to be in the in crowd and what does that even mean? Maybe being popular isn’t all it is cracked up to be!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2026
This was a fun read and I liked the mix of texts and text because students like it. The author captured the friendship drama in middle school where kids are torn between keeping elementary friends and branching out to make new ones. How to keep both? It can be tricky.
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