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Dear Friends: A Contemporary Middle Grade Novel About Friendship, Middle School, and Winning Back Your BFF for Kids
From Lisa Greenwald, the beloved author of the TBH and Friendship List series, comes a novel about one girl’s mission to revisit her top 5 friendship fails and prove she’s totally best friend material!
Eleni is the kind of person who’s always had a BFF—an automatic, guaranteed by-her-side person—at home, at school, and at camp. And since before she was even born, her very best friend has been Sylvie Bank.
But when Sylvie’s end-of-summer birthday party becomes the end of their friendship, Eleni can’t picture starting middle school without her BFF by her side. She can’t picture anything without her BFF—especially the looming school overnight. Who will she even room with?
So before the big overnight, Eleni sets out on a to figure out where her friendships went wrong, what’s wrong with her, and what makes a good friend. But if she’s totally honest, there’s only one real to win back Sylvie Bank!
Eleni is the kind of person who’s always had a BFF—an automatic, guaranteed by-her-side person—at home, at school, and at camp. And since before she was even born, her very best friend has been Sylvie Bank.
But when Sylvie’s end-of-summer birthday party becomes the end of their friendship, Eleni can’t picture starting middle school without her BFF by her side. She can’t picture anything without her BFF—especially the looming school overnight. Who will she even room with?
So before the big overnight, Eleni sets out on a to figure out where her friendships went wrong, what’s wrong with her, and what makes a good friend. But if she’s totally honest, there’s only one real to win back Sylvie Bank!
336 pages, Hardcover
Published May 10, 2022
33 people are currently reading
1933 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Greenwald
37 books482 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 48 reviews
March 1, 2022
Name of Book: Dear Friends
Author: Lisa Greenwald
Genre: Middle School Drama
Publisher: Harper Audio
Pub Date: May 10, 2022
My Rating: 4
This middle school story is about friendship and the drama that is so often connected with it!
Eleni (Leni) and Sylvie Bank have been BFF actually before they were born as their mothers are best friends. However, Leni find that that the word ‘ends’ in the word friend. As it seems ‘forever’ in BFF has happened! ~ as Sylvie doesn’t invited Leni to her birthday sleepover.
Leni is our protagonist and we readers feel what she is going through plus is so likeable!
I love how Lisa Greenwald incorporates life lessons that can be applied at any age. Totally love the Canasta group!! Additionally I always enjoy reading the author’s ‘Acknowledgments’ as they give us the inside scoop including the author's motivation for writing the story.
Want to thank NetGalley and Harper Audio for this Voice Galley ~ a voice galley is one in which the voice has been synthesized and therefore not the final voice in the audiobook which will be read by professional narrators. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 10, 2022
Author: Lisa Greenwald
Genre: Middle School Drama
Publisher: Harper Audio
Pub Date: May 10, 2022
My Rating: 4
This middle school story is about friendship and the drama that is so often connected with it!
Eleni (Leni) and Sylvie Bank have been BFF actually before they were born as their mothers are best friends. However, Leni find that that the word ‘ends’ in the word friend. As it seems ‘forever’ in BFF has happened! ~ as Sylvie doesn’t invited Leni to her birthday sleepover.
Leni is our protagonist and we readers feel what she is going through plus is so likeable!
I love how Lisa Greenwald incorporates life lessons that can be applied at any age. Totally love the Canasta group!! Additionally I always enjoy reading the author’s ‘Acknowledgments’ as they give us the inside scoop including the author's motivation for writing the story.
Want to thank NetGalley and Harper Audio for this Voice Galley ~ a voice galley is one in which the voice has been synthesized and therefore not the final voice in the audiobook which will be read by professional narrators. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 10, 2022
July 30, 2025
Every summer since this book came out, I have read it and loved it! Such a deep yet funny novel that will make you reevaluate friendships in a good way. This is a classic for me <3
March 1, 2022
I love the feel of this book! I’m reminded of my overly dramatic and less than perfect middle school years. Dear Friends doesn’t shy away from the awkward feelings of growing up and growing apart from friends. It’s a bittersweet story about the beginning and ending of friendships.
Dear Friends focuses on those awkward middle school years and the feelings of not being included by your friends. This book is about refusing to let best friends go and investigating friendships lost. Once the main character realizes she may have just lost her only friend, she becomes somewhat of a modern day, Harriet the Spy. Dear Friends is an enjoyable, quick read that I highly recommend to middle grade readers.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Audio for a copy of this book.
Dear Friends focuses on those awkward middle school years and the feelings of not being included by your friends. This book is about refusing to let best friends go and investigating friendships lost. Once the main character realizes she may have just lost her only friend, she becomes somewhat of a modern day, Harriet the Spy. Dear Friends is an enjoyable, quick read that I highly recommend to middle grade readers.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Audio for a copy of this book.
February 25, 2022
"Dear Friends" audiobook by Lisa Greenwald, is a middle school coming-of-age book about friendship. It is a beautiful story that preteen girls will love. The story is sweet and relatable. The author beautifully includes life lessons that can be applied to everyday experiences.
Eleni and Sylvie, have been best friends since they were babies. They share many memories of good times together. Eleni helps Svlvie plan her 12th birthday party. Finally the big day arrives and Eleni is so excited for Sylvie. True to the girls plans, the party is held in Sylvie's backyard complete with tents that are so much fun for the outdoor movie night the girls dreamed of. There is a huge movie screen, theater popcorn, balloons, fizzy lemonade, pizza, cake, and Taylor Swift music. It's absolutely perfect until Eleni discovers that 3 of the girls are spending the night with Sylvie and Eleni was not invited. W-H-A-T? Why would Sylvie exclude her best friend? Eleni is beyond devastated and begins her journey to learn what true friendship is all about.
"Dear Friends" audiobook will be published May 10th.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Audio, for allowing me to review this audiobook. It's the ideal audiobook to share with preteen girls.
Eleni and Sylvie, have been best friends since they were babies. They share many memories of good times together. Eleni helps Svlvie plan her 12th birthday party. Finally the big day arrives and Eleni is so excited for Sylvie. True to the girls plans, the party is held in Sylvie's backyard complete with tents that are so much fun for the outdoor movie night the girls dreamed of. There is a huge movie screen, theater popcorn, balloons, fizzy lemonade, pizza, cake, and Taylor Swift music. It's absolutely perfect until Eleni discovers that 3 of the girls are spending the night with Sylvie and Eleni was not invited. W-H-A-T? Why would Sylvie exclude her best friend? Eleni is beyond devastated and begins her journey to learn what true friendship is all about.
"Dear Friends" audiobook will be published May 10th.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Audio, for allowing me to review this audiobook. It's the ideal audiobook to share with preteen girls.
May 15, 2023
Honestly, I could
have used this book my whole life.
This was for children.
have used this book my whole life.
This was for children.
August 26, 2022
Dear Friends is a highly relatable, summery middle grade book about what it means to be a good friend and maintain strong friendships. Featuring a likable, enthusiastic protagonist who’s experienced several friendship disappointments (most of her own making), this story manages to be fun and poignant and with an epistolary touch as Eleni records her progress in a diary.
Read my full review on my blog.
Read my full review on my blog.
February 28, 2024
Wonderful AND Enjoyable
Elena's journey starts bittersweet. Friendship woes and drama nearly crush her. While it was written for middle school girls, I think that even adult women can relate to the struggle of friendship that struggled or ended badly. I love that instead of taking a nosedive in broken relationships, she goes on a personal investigation and inventory of her past friendships. This book demonstrates important qualities of friendships and brings to light that relationships involve, grow and it's okay if they end.
Elena's journey starts bittersweet. Friendship woes and drama nearly crush her. While it was written for middle school girls, I think that even adult women can relate to the struggle of friendship that struggled or ended badly. I love that instead of taking a nosedive in broken relationships, she goes on a personal investigation and inventory of her past friendships. This book demonstrates important qualities of friendships and brings to light that relationships involve, grow and it's okay if they end.
May 12, 2022
Eleni had a rough time at summer camp, but she’s heading home now to her BFF Sylvie. She got to camp, ready to have a great time with her best camp friend Maddy, but instead Maddy had become obsessed with soccer and spent all her time with her teammates. But now Leni is back home, and she’s got some great ideas for Sylvie’s upcoming birthday party.
But Sylvie just wants to spend time with her new friends Annie, Zora, and Paloma. Leni gives Sylvie her ideas for the party—a backyard movie with popcorn and special tents for the girls to sit in. But when the day of the party gets there, Leni realizes that not only did Sylvie ask her new friends to come early to help set up but she also invited them to stay for a sleepover afterward. Leni feels left out and alone, and she wonders what’s going to happen when school starts up. It’s their first year at middle school. Will she have any friends at school?
In the week between Sylvie’s party and the first day of school, Leni thinks back over some of her old friendships and why they had stopped. Her friend Charlotte moved away, so that one’s not as hard to figure out. But she used to send time with her neighbor Will. And with Brenna from Hebrew school. Why was she not friends with them anymore? Eleni decides to figure out what has happened to her friendships. And she decides to start with Charlotte.
Leni loves stationery, so she picks out a favorite and writes a letter to Charlotte. She thinks that if they start talking again, maybe Leni can figure out what went wrong between them. But she has bigger problems. School is about to start, so not only does she have to worry about who will be her friend there, but there is also the overnight. The sixth graders go on an overnight trip, and Leni has been planning this with Sylvie for years. There is a costume party, and Leni wanted to choose a costume that went with Sylvie’s. But now she has no costume ideas just for herself, and she doesn’t know who she is going to room with.
But then school starts, and she finds herself hanging out with some new friends. She starts talking to Adelaide, the daughter of one of her mother’s friends. Adelaide is a little older, so she can help Leni get some perspective with her new friendship project. And Charlotte writes back, helping Leni feel her friendship problems might not be all her fault.
As Leni’s self-esteem grows, her courage does too, and she finds a way to have some very difficult conversations with Brenna and Will. But will she be able to figure out what happened with Sylvie, her best friend? Or will she have to keep wondering what happened?
Dear Friends is a middle grade look at friendships, the ones that last and the ones that don’t. Author Lisa Greenwald takes a honest look at the friendships we have as kids and how we sometimes outgrow them. Leni is a character who faces these relationship questions with courage and a maturity that is usually beyond that of a middle schooler. And that’s exactly why it will be such a helpful book to young woman, to learn about potentially toxic relationships before they can do too much damage.
This is one of those books I wish I’d had as a kid. I was awkward and struggled to make friends, and reading about someone else who struggled and who put in a lot of work to figure out the secrets to friendship would have made me feel far less alone. And it may have helped teach me to be a better friend. Part of the reason I still read middle school books is to champion books like this and try to get them into the hands of kids who need them. I know there are kids out there who will benefit from this book. I hope that they find this book and learn from Eleni’s mistakes and from her courage.
Voice galleys for Dear Friends were provided by Harper Audio through NetGalley, with many thanks.
But Sylvie just wants to spend time with her new friends Annie, Zora, and Paloma. Leni gives Sylvie her ideas for the party—a backyard movie with popcorn and special tents for the girls to sit in. But when the day of the party gets there, Leni realizes that not only did Sylvie ask her new friends to come early to help set up but she also invited them to stay for a sleepover afterward. Leni feels left out and alone, and she wonders what’s going to happen when school starts up. It’s their first year at middle school. Will she have any friends at school?
In the week between Sylvie’s party and the first day of school, Leni thinks back over some of her old friendships and why they had stopped. Her friend Charlotte moved away, so that one’s not as hard to figure out. But she used to send time with her neighbor Will. And with Brenna from Hebrew school. Why was she not friends with them anymore? Eleni decides to figure out what has happened to her friendships. And she decides to start with Charlotte.
Leni loves stationery, so she picks out a favorite and writes a letter to Charlotte. She thinks that if they start talking again, maybe Leni can figure out what went wrong between them. But she has bigger problems. School is about to start, so not only does she have to worry about who will be her friend there, but there is also the overnight. The sixth graders go on an overnight trip, and Leni has been planning this with Sylvie for years. There is a costume party, and Leni wanted to choose a costume that went with Sylvie’s. But now she has no costume ideas just for herself, and she doesn’t know who she is going to room with.
But then school starts, and she finds herself hanging out with some new friends. She starts talking to Adelaide, the daughter of one of her mother’s friends. Adelaide is a little older, so she can help Leni get some perspective with her new friendship project. And Charlotte writes back, helping Leni feel her friendship problems might not be all her fault.
As Leni’s self-esteem grows, her courage does too, and she finds a way to have some very difficult conversations with Brenna and Will. But will she be able to figure out what happened with Sylvie, her best friend? Or will she have to keep wondering what happened?
Dear Friends is a middle grade look at friendships, the ones that last and the ones that don’t. Author Lisa Greenwald takes a honest look at the friendships we have as kids and how we sometimes outgrow them. Leni is a character who faces these relationship questions with courage and a maturity that is usually beyond that of a middle schooler. And that’s exactly why it will be such a helpful book to young woman, to learn about potentially toxic relationships before they can do too much damage.
This is one of those books I wish I’d had as a kid. I was awkward and struggled to make friends, and reading about someone else who struggled and who put in a lot of work to figure out the secrets to friendship would have made me feel far less alone. And it may have helped teach me to be a better friend. Part of the reason I still read middle school books is to champion books like this and try to get them into the hands of kids who need them. I know there are kids out there who will benefit from this book. I hope that they find this book and learn from Eleni’s mistakes and from her courage.
Voice galleys for Dear Friends were provided by Harper Audio through NetGalley, with many thanks.
November 29, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Eleni has been friends with Sylvie since they were born; their mothers were in a prenatal class together, so their friendship has a deep history. As 6th grade approaches, however, things are changing. After a difficult time at summer camp, where her camp friend Maddy prefered spending time playing soccer than hanging out with her, Eleni returns home to help Sylvie plan her birthday party, only to find that she is not one of the three girls invited to the sleepover. She's given Sylvie a cool denim jacket, and has one just like it, but the chances of the two twinning at school look bleaker and bleaker as Sylvie continues to hang out with Annie, Zora, and Paloma. Eleni starts to worry about her ability to make and keep friends, and enlists the help of Adelaide, the daughter of one of her mother's friends with whom she is occasionally forced to hang out, to look back at her FriENDships. There's neighbor Will, who quit hanging out with her when it became uncool for boys and girls to play together; Brenna, from Hebrew School; and Charlotte, who moved away. She starts to write letters back and forth to Charlotte, and tries to reconnect with her former friends to try to figure out what she did wrong. In the meantime, she does have a new group, which includes Rumi, Elizabeth and Anjali. This is good, because the 6th grade overnight trip and Halloween party are on the horizon. Eleni's been looking forward to them for years, but it's not the same without Sylvie, who continues to freeze her out and be mean. This cause issues with Eleni's mother, who is very snappish at the best of times. Eleni discovers that she was meant to be helping Adelaide, not the other way around, after the two have a bit of a falling out. Will Eleni be able to find some closure with her other former friends?
Strengths: Yep. Just about everyone loses at least one friend in middle school. Interests change, distance creates difficulties, and sometimes, people just become mean. Friend drama is one of the top requests for topics in books. I loved the inclusion of Eleni's Hebrew school, and the fact that she rather enjoyed learning about her religion. I spend a LOT of time at church in middle school, and religion doesn't often show up in middle grade stories, which is probably fairly representative of the population, but food to see occasionally. All of the characters are very well developed, and it's easy to see, in retrospect, what happened with Eleni's friendships. The 6th grade ovenight is a good theme to move the story along, and the changes that are made to it because of parental pressure are very realistic. This has a somewhat exotic setting, since Eleni goes to New York City. The cover is great, and I can't wait to hvae a copy of this to hand to students!
Weaknesses: Eleni's mother and Will's father had some serious stuff going on that wasn't well addressed. I'd actually love to see a whole book about Will and how his family is dealing with his father losing his job because of anger management issues. Eleni's mother seemed like she needed a lot of help, but nothing is ever discussed.
What I really think: Defnitely purchasing, since Greenawald's books (My Life in Pink and Green (2009), Sweet Treats and Secrets Crushes (2010), Reel Life Starring Us (2011), the Dog Beach (2014) series, TBH This is So Awkward, (2018) and 11 Before 12 remain popular titles in my library. This definitely shows some deep dives into the anxiety in modern tween culture. I'm not sure if my students would ever undertake a project like Eleni's to investigate their failed relationships, but I do think they will enjoy reading about it.
Eleni has been friends with Sylvie since they were born; their mothers were in a prenatal class together, so their friendship has a deep history. As 6th grade approaches, however, things are changing. After a difficult time at summer camp, where her camp friend Maddy prefered spending time playing soccer than hanging out with her, Eleni returns home to help Sylvie plan her birthday party, only to find that she is not one of the three girls invited to the sleepover. She's given Sylvie a cool denim jacket, and has one just like it, but the chances of the two twinning at school look bleaker and bleaker as Sylvie continues to hang out with Annie, Zora, and Paloma. Eleni starts to worry about her ability to make and keep friends, and enlists the help of Adelaide, the daughter of one of her mother's friends with whom she is occasionally forced to hang out, to look back at her FriENDships. There's neighbor Will, who quit hanging out with her when it became uncool for boys and girls to play together; Brenna, from Hebrew School; and Charlotte, who moved away. She starts to write letters back and forth to Charlotte, and tries to reconnect with her former friends to try to figure out what she did wrong. In the meantime, she does have a new group, which includes Rumi, Elizabeth and Anjali. This is good, because the 6th grade overnight trip and Halloween party are on the horizon. Eleni's been looking forward to them for years, but it's not the same without Sylvie, who continues to freeze her out and be mean. This cause issues with Eleni's mother, who is very snappish at the best of times. Eleni discovers that she was meant to be helping Adelaide, not the other way around, after the two have a bit of a falling out. Will Eleni be able to find some closure with her other former friends?
Strengths: Yep. Just about everyone loses at least one friend in middle school. Interests change, distance creates difficulties, and sometimes, people just become mean. Friend drama is one of the top requests for topics in books. I loved the inclusion of Eleni's Hebrew school, and the fact that she rather enjoyed learning about her religion. I spend a LOT of time at church in middle school, and religion doesn't often show up in middle grade stories, which is probably fairly representative of the population, but food to see occasionally. All of the characters are very well developed, and it's easy to see, in retrospect, what happened with Eleni's friendships. The 6th grade ovenight is a good theme to move the story along, and the changes that are made to it because of parental pressure are very realistic. This has a somewhat exotic setting, since Eleni goes to New York City. The cover is great, and I can't wait to hvae a copy of this to hand to students!
Weaknesses: Eleni's mother and Will's father had some serious stuff going on that wasn't well addressed. I'd actually love to see a whole book about Will and how his family is dealing with his father losing his job because of anger management issues. Eleni's mother seemed like she needed a lot of help, but nothing is ever discussed.
What I really think: Defnitely purchasing, since Greenawald's books (My Life in Pink and Green (2009), Sweet Treats and Secrets Crushes (2010), Reel Life Starring Us (2011), the Dog Beach (2014) series, TBH This is So Awkward, (2018) and 11 Before 12 remain popular titles in my library. This definitely shows some deep dives into the anxiety in modern tween culture. I'm not sure if my students would ever undertake a project like Eleni's to investigate their failed relationships, but I do think they will enjoy reading about it.
December 14, 2021
Oh my goodness! This book brought me right back to my middle school drama days, definitely not fun times ;) Leni is such a relatable character, and I was invested in her world from the beginning. It reminded me how much friend drama sucks, and I think any tween girl can sympathize with Leni.
Eleni, also called Leni or Len in the book, has always had a best friend, Sylvie. They have been together forever, but when Sylvie’s back to school party becomes the end of their friendship, what will Eleni do? She can’t imagine starting middle school without her best friend by her side. So she decides to try and investigate where all her friendships went wrong in hopes of winning Sylvie back. As Len goes on this journey though, she realizes some hard truths about friendships and about herself.
This was such a good book for any tween girl! Leni’s problems are incredibly relatable as she tries to find her place. This is told from the first person perspective, so we get to see all of her thoughts and feelings. I thought Eleni was an interesting character because she was in some ways quite outgoing. I think many books about friendships make it seem like this kind of friend drama only happens to quiet people. I loved the fact that Eleni was a different kind of character.
And I loved all the different characters in this book. They’re flawed and immature, but they all feel very real. It’s sweet to watch some of them come alongside Leni as she tries to find her place. I love that Ms. Greenwald shows that each friendship ends for different reasons. It was sometimes Leni’s fault, it was sometimes the other person’s fault, and sometimes it was just a result of change.
One thing I would have loved to see though is a conversation between Leni and her mother. Eleni has a rocky relationship with her mom. And while that is definitely common, I think tween girls need to see more characters talking with their mothers. Ms. Greenwald ends the book with some hope for change, but I would have loved to see an actual conversation. Overall though I really enjoyed this book! The story and the characters are wonderful, and I would definitely recommend it to any tween girl!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
Eleni, also called Leni or Len in the book, has always had a best friend, Sylvie. They have been together forever, but when Sylvie’s back to school party becomes the end of their friendship, what will Eleni do? She can’t imagine starting middle school without her best friend by her side. So she decides to try and investigate where all her friendships went wrong in hopes of winning Sylvie back. As Len goes on this journey though, she realizes some hard truths about friendships and about herself.
This was such a good book for any tween girl! Leni’s problems are incredibly relatable as she tries to find her place. This is told from the first person perspective, so we get to see all of her thoughts and feelings. I thought Eleni was an interesting character because she was in some ways quite outgoing. I think many books about friendships make it seem like this kind of friend drama only happens to quiet people. I loved the fact that Eleni was a different kind of character.
And I loved all the different characters in this book. They’re flawed and immature, but they all feel very real. It’s sweet to watch some of them come alongside Leni as she tries to find her place. I love that Ms. Greenwald shows that each friendship ends for different reasons. It was sometimes Leni’s fault, it was sometimes the other person’s fault, and sometimes it was just a result of change.
One thing I would have loved to see though is a conversation between Leni and her mother. Eleni has a rocky relationship with her mom. And while that is definitely common, I think tween girls need to see more characters talking with their mothers. Ms. Greenwald ends the book with some hope for change, but I would have loved to see an actual conversation. Overall though I really enjoyed this book! The story and the characters are wonderful, and I would definitely recommend it to any tween girl!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
April 8, 2025
Alyse in Wonderland Book Reviews #1
So... I went to my library and checked out Dear Friends, a book that I have wanted to read for a while.
Summary: Eleni Kairestein loves stationary (she wants to own a stationary shop called Len's Pens when she is older), and goes to summer camp every year. After coming home from summer camp, she finds that the dynamics between her and her best friend since birth, Sylvie, are different. Nonetheless, Len helps Sylvie plan her birthday movie party, which is fantastic for everyone but Eleni. At the party, This odd interaction with Sylvie leads Eleni to try to set out on a mission to mend all the friendships she has had over the years that have broken. She needs to figure out what went wrong with those friendships, what she can do better, and how to become that person's friend and maintain their friendship again. Top goal: be besties with Sylvie.
My thoughts: I thought this book was good, but I do think there could have been more details about Eleni and Will's relationship, Eleni and her mother's relationship, and Eleni and Sylvie's relationship. Also, I didn't like how Eleni decided that her
Overall, 3/5 another good book with a nice lesson from Lisa Greenwald. Recommended for ages 8-12.
So... I went to my library and checked out Dear Friends, a book that I have wanted to read for a while.
Summary: Eleni Kairestein loves stationary (she wants to own a stationary shop called Len's Pens when she is older), and goes to summer camp every year. After coming home from summer camp, she finds that the dynamics between her and her best friend since birth, Sylvie, are different. Nonetheless, Len helps Sylvie plan her birthday movie party, which is fantastic for everyone but Eleni. At the party, This odd interaction with Sylvie leads Eleni to try to set out on a mission to mend all the friendships she has had over the years that have broken. She needs to figure out what went wrong with those friendships, what she can do better, and how to become that person's friend and maintain their friendship again. Top goal: be besties with Sylvie.
My thoughts: I thought this book was good, but I do think there could have been more details about Eleni and Will's relationship, Eleni and her mother's relationship, and Eleni and Sylvie's relationship. Also, I didn't like how Eleni decided that her
Overall, 3/5 another good book with a nice lesson from Lisa Greenwald. Recommended for ages 8-12.
February 3, 2025
Dear Friends is a fantastic book!
Leni has just come back from camp, where her best camp friend Maddie seems to have forgotten about her. Unfortunately over the summer, her BFF Sylvie has found new friends.
When Leni finds out Sylvie didn't invite her to the sleepover part of her birthday, even though they were supposed to be best friends, she is devastated, but Sylvie doesn't seem to see the big deal. Sylvie says they had grown apart over the summer and that she had found new friends, but Leni doesn't feel this way and feels totally lost without her BFF by her side, especially now that they're starting middle school. Leni realizes that this isn't the first time her friendships have ended. With help from family-friend Adelaide, she uncovers what went wrong in her biggest friendship breakups. But she also learns what makes a good friend and how she can be one to other people. In her mission she reconciles with several friends, makes new ones, but ultimately learns that not all friendships are forever, and that's okay.
Dear Friends also focuses on her relationship with her parents which I'm sure is relatable for lots of kids.
This book is AMAZING. You have to read it. Though I'm older than Leni, the lessons were still easily applicable. The very day after I finished the book I started school for the year and using Leni as my role model, I talked to people I had never talked to before, invited a new girl to sit with us at lunch, and apologised to someone that I used to be friends with about what happened between us (I think we could actually be friends again!).
Leni is a great person and we can all learn from her. She is honest, courageous, not afraid to improve herself, and genuinely cares about people.
This is a must read!
Leni has just come back from camp, where her best camp friend Maddie seems to have forgotten about her. Unfortunately over the summer, her BFF Sylvie has found new friends.
When Leni finds out Sylvie didn't invite her to the sleepover part of her birthday, even though they were supposed to be best friends, she is devastated, but Sylvie doesn't seem to see the big deal. Sylvie says they had grown apart over the summer and that she had found new friends, but Leni doesn't feel this way and feels totally lost without her BFF by her side, especially now that they're starting middle school. Leni realizes that this isn't the first time her friendships have ended. With help from family-friend Adelaide, she uncovers what went wrong in her biggest friendship breakups. But she also learns what makes a good friend and how she can be one to other people. In her mission she reconciles with several friends, makes new ones, but ultimately learns that not all friendships are forever, and that's okay.
Dear Friends also focuses on her relationship with her parents which I'm sure is relatable for lots of kids.
This book is AMAZING. You have to read it. Though I'm older than Leni, the lessons were still easily applicable. The very day after I finished the book I started school for the year and using Leni as my role model, I talked to people I had never talked to before, invited a new girl to sit with us at lunch, and apologised to someone that I used to be friends with about what happened between us (I think we could actually be friends again!).
Leni is a great person and we can all learn from her. She is honest, courageous, not afraid to improve herself, and genuinely cares about people.
This is a must read!
October 14, 2025
Hi again,
The week is starting again, and I have been reading so much. I have so many books I want to read, and lately I have had the desire to read even more (at night and in the mornings before my day really even begins). So during that time, I have been picking up books I have E-ARCs of on Netgalley (thank you so much to the publishers for sharing an E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions). This has been a super convenient way for me to sneak in more reading and start my day off in a slower mode. One of the E-ARCs that I have had to read for a while is called Dear Friends.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Eleni is a middle schooler who has had the same best friend for basically her whole life, but with the new school year, things are changing, and it’s all very confusing. With the new school year comes a very fun special sleepover. However, as the year starts, Eleni feels like her best friend is further away than ever. She is not sure what to do, so she decides to make a list of friends that she once had and figure out what went wrong in those friendships. Along the way, Eleni ends up learning a lot about herself and friendship.
I really enjoyed this book. I found myself flying through the story, and as I read, I saw Eleni growing as a person. Everyone experiences different friendships throughout their lifetime, and it was nice to see some of the ways friendships end reflected in this story and how one might want to deal with those endings. As a side note, I think the cover is absolutely perfect.
Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars
**Thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
The week is starting again, and I have been reading so much. I have so many books I want to read, and lately I have had the desire to read even more (at night and in the mornings before my day really even begins). So during that time, I have been picking up books I have E-ARCs of on Netgalley (thank you so much to the publishers for sharing an E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions). This has been a super convenient way for me to sneak in more reading and start my day off in a slower mode. One of the E-ARCs that I have had to read for a while is called Dear Friends.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Eleni is a middle schooler who has had the same best friend for basically her whole life, but with the new school year, things are changing, and it’s all very confusing. With the new school year comes a very fun special sleepover. However, as the year starts, Eleni feels like her best friend is further away than ever. She is not sure what to do, so she decides to make a list of friends that she once had and figure out what went wrong in those friendships. Along the way, Eleni ends up learning a lot about herself and friendship.
I really enjoyed this book. I found myself flying through the story, and as I read, I saw Eleni growing as a person. Everyone experiences different friendships throughout their lifetime, and it was nice to see some of the ways friendships end reflected in this story and how one might want to deal with those endings. As a side note, I think the cover is absolutely perfect.
Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars
**Thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
June 8, 2025
Opening lines from the book ...
"Sylvie Rebecca Bank!"
I'm outside on the porch picking at a piece of banana bread from my favorite Longport bakery, actually called Banana Bread, when I see Sylvie walking up the path to my house. Her dirty-blond curls bounce against her shoulders. My heart feels like Pop Rocks when I see her, like we've been apart for years and years, not just two months. Us being back together—that makes my world feel complete again.
What makes this book stand out ...
Ah, middle-school friendship trials and tribulations! This book introduces us to Leni and her soon-to-be ex-best friend, Sylvie. Why do some friendships just ... end? Leni sets out to discover the truth behind why her friendships are fizzling out and if there's any way to get Sylvie back, just in time for the sixth-grade overnight trip.
As Leni tries to repair old friendships (including one via mail, one friend across the street, and one from her Hebrew school), she also starts to make friends with some new kids at school. She also connects with an older family friend, a daughter of her mom's camp friend. I was rooting for Len as she navigated this tough time. I loved the play on words in the title with FriENDs. (Am I the only one to remember that mnemonic as a way to know how to spell the word: a friend to the end?)
This book is for anybody who has struggled with friendships. Sometimes, you just have to mourn the loss of friends. Sometimes, you rejoice at the friendships rekindled.
"Sylvie Rebecca Bank!"
I'm outside on the porch picking at a piece of banana bread from my favorite Longport bakery, actually called Banana Bread, when I see Sylvie walking up the path to my house. Her dirty-blond curls bounce against her shoulders. My heart feels like Pop Rocks when I see her, like we've been apart for years and years, not just two months. Us being back together—that makes my world feel complete again.
What makes this book stand out ...
Ah, middle-school friendship trials and tribulations! This book introduces us to Leni and her soon-to-be ex-best friend, Sylvie. Why do some friendships just ... end? Leni sets out to discover the truth behind why her friendships are fizzling out and if there's any way to get Sylvie back, just in time for the sixth-grade overnight trip.
As Leni tries to repair old friendships (including one via mail, one friend across the street, and one from her Hebrew school), she also starts to make friends with some new kids at school. She also connects with an older family friend, a daughter of her mom's camp friend. I was rooting for Len as she navigated this tough time. I loved the play on words in the title with FriENDs. (Am I the only one to remember that mnemonic as a way to know how to spell the word: a friend to the end?)
This book is for anybody who has struggled with friendships. Sometimes, you just have to mourn the loss of friends. Sometimes, you rejoice at the friendships rekindled.
January 14, 2023
This book was pretty good and the kid liked it. It delved a lot into the complexities of friendships and how friendships change over time, even for adults. I would like to read a whole book just about the group of older women friends and their decades of drama.
June 20, 2022
Elani had compartmentalized her friends. She's got her best camp friend, her temple friend, but her BFF is Sylvie. She and Sylvie have been planning Sylvie's birthday party, which wl be right when Eleni comes back from summer camp. But at the end of the party, which feels awkward for Eleni, she realizes that just some of the girls will be spending the night. Not Eleni. And there's more. The girls have a cute mickname for themselves using just parts of their names. And Eleni is not included. But the worst is the big Halloween party that will be held during 6th grade camp. Sylvie and Eleni have been planning their costumes and rooming together forever, but now Eleni has no one to room with and is dreading 6th grade, the party, and camp. Her meddlesome mom invites her own friend over, along with her daughter. Eleni decides to talk with people that she used to be friends with, to try to figure out why they aren't friends any longer, in order to figure out how to win Sylvie back. Eleni writes about it all in her journal, I clouding a necer-to-be-sent letter to each. Along the way Eleni gains insight and gets to know many other kids.
I loved the possibility of the ending.
I loved the possibility of the ending.
June 26, 2022
Lisa Greenwald has captured the angst of tween-agers. The transition to middle school from elementary starts to feel more like a field littered with land mines than a fun transition.
Leni categorizes her friends, summer camp friends, school friends, Temple friends. Her life-long friend, Sylvie, is no longer her BFF. Sylvie has aligned herself with some other catty girls whose goal is to exclude all others not in their closed circle. Leni finds herself on the outside. She starts to search for reasons some of her friends are no longer good friends. She loves stationery and writing letters and by doing this she works her way through many of the friendship issues. Of course, most of these letters end up becoming part of her journal, never to be mailed. Leni's mother is over-protective and feels the need to solve her daughter's problems by becoming involved to an unhealthy extent in the day-to-day life of her daughter.
This would be a good read for a middle school book club group.
Thanks to HarperCollins Children's Books, Katherine Tegen Books and NetGalley for the opportunity read this story.
Leni categorizes her friends, summer camp friends, school friends, Temple friends. Her life-long friend, Sylvie, is no longer her BFF. Sylvie has aligned herself with some other catty girls whose goal is to exclude all others not in their closed circle. Leni finds herself on the outside. She starts to search for reasons some of her friends are no longer good friends. She loves stationery and writing letters and by doing this she works her way through many of the friendship issues. Of course, most of these letters end up becoming part of her journal, never to be mailed. Leni's mother is over-protective and feels the need to solve her daughter's problems by becoming involved to an unhealthy extent in the day-to-day life of her daughter.
This would be a good read for a middle school book club group.
Thanks to HarperCollins Children's Books, Katherine Tegen Books and NetGalley for the opportunity read this story.
December 25, 2023
This book simultaneously filled me with happiness and broke my heart. The reason it broke my heart is because, like Eleni, I struggled a lot with feeling excluded in middle school, and even in my young adult life I still do struggle with it. I could really empathize with her when it comes to feeling like she did something wrong, because I used to ask myself the same questions that she does in the beginning of the book. This is a very important subject for middle schoolers, especially for girls, because middle school girls can be really mean at times, and I loved the way it was handled. It demonstrates how friendships change over time, and how sometimes things aren't straightforward, and friends aren't the people we thought they were. If your child is struggling with these issues, I highly encourage you to give them Dear Friends to read, because they will be able to relate to Eleni and they can learn some valuable lessons about friendship from her mission.
May 3, 2022
I really liked this one! I liked the mission Eleni was on to figure out her friendships.
I really liked all the side characters too, Adelaide, Will, Anjali, Rumi, Elizabeth, Brenna & Charlotte.
I loved that Len loves stationary and pens! I really liked how she learns more about herself as she explores these friendships.
I think her mom needed some help though, she made Eleni feel like she couldn't talk to her because she overracts and freaks out. Just my opinion.
I loved all the different cultural representation too! Especially seeing the Jewish Faith represented well.
I wanted more from the ending! We see this big thing they have been building up and talking about but then ......
I don't want to give any spoilers.
A great middle grade read about friendship!
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
I really liked all the side characters too, Adelaide, Will, Anjali, Rumi, Elizabeth, Brenna & Charlotte.
I loved that Len loves stationary and pens! I really liked how she learns more about herself as she explores these friendships.
I think her mom needed some help though, she made Eleni feel like she couldn't talk to her because she overracts and freaks out. Just my opinion.
I loved all the different cultural representation too! Especially seeing the Jewish Faith represented well.
I wanted more from the ending! We see this big thing they have been building up and talking about but then ......
I don't want to give any spoilers.
A great middle grade read about friendship!
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
April 28, 2022
"Dear Friends begins with protagonist Leni confronting friend problems. She is really, really into best friends and when things go awry with her summer best friend as well as her all around best friend, she is shaken. My first thought was, Oh, this is going to be another one of those books about learning how to accept that relationships change. So true, so true, but I feel I've read enough of those.
But, no! As Leni starts to think about these situations, she realizes that a number of her friends are, indeed, former friends. Is this a pattern? What is going on here? So she sets out to investigate these former relationships and try to determine what happened."
Excerpt from Original Content
But, no! As Leni starts to think about these situations, she realizes that a number of her friends are, indeed, former friends. Is this a pattern? What is going on here? So she sets out to investigate these former relationships and try to determine what happened."
Excerpt from Original Content
May 3, 2022
Dear Friends is a fun book with lots of interesting character development. I loved all the friendship stories that were interwoven as Eleni discovered new things about herself and the people in her life. The open-ended conclusion was a big conversation starter between me and my middle-schooler.
** As a parent with anxiety, I do wish that the author had taken more care to describe Eleni's mother with more empathy -- many of us are trying our best, and I hope kids reading this book understand adults are allowed to have feelings and struggles. **
(I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
** As a parent with anxiety, I do wish that the author had taken more care to describe Eleni's mother with more empathy -- many of us are trying our best, and I hope kids reading this book understand adults are allowed to have feelings and struggles. **
(I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
December 18, 2021
Leni and Sylvie have been best friends forever. Until they’re not, when Sylvie doesn’t invite Leni to her birthday sleepover. Does that bring back memories of your own middle school drama years? Heartbroken, Leni looks back at other lost friendships and examines each one to figure out where they went wrong. Along the way, we all learn some great advice about friendships. I did wish for a bit more depth and interest to the action around Leni’s quest. The book just felt a bit too one-note. Thanks to the author, NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.
July 21, 2022
Rosie and I have been reading this on audiobook before bed for a while now and while it is certainly too long in the tooth, the message is important enough that I didn’t mind it so much. We have read about the phenomena of friends going in different directions in other books but this one meditates on it so heavily it makes it the go-to for helping a kid process when their lifelong best friend isn’t their best friend anymore, and the importance of finding better friends who don’t treat you like trash.
March 17, 2023
I really, really enjoyed this book. “Dear Friends” is now one of my favorite books, and I knew it from the start. Even chapter one was engaging, which I struggle to find in books. I’m also not a very big reader, so it takes me a while to read books. This book got me reading almost every night. Even though it took me about 2 months to read this book, it is not because of “Dear Friends” being boring. I just couldn’t find time to read. I liked how this book talked a lot about friendships and the struggles within them, which I thought was relatable.
April 7, 2022
This was such a heartwarming and heartbreaking story. It brought me back to my middle school years. Greenwald does a fantastic job portraying the trials and tribulations of what it’s like being a middle school girl. The “girl swirl” that can go on and the hurt feelings that can come from it. Eleni is a very endearing character that I think the readers will root for and hope that she reconciles with her true friends and realize that not everyone is meant to be “friends forever”.
April 17, 2022
The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lisa Greenwald did an excellent job of capturing the drama of middle school friendships. Without coming across as condescending to middle grade readers, Greenwald explored how friendships can change throughout the years. I wish I had this book to read to my younger self. Bonus points for excellent representation of kids from many cultures.
Lisa Greenwald did an excellent job of capturing the drama of middle school friendships. Without coming across as condescending to middle grade readers, Greenwald explored how friendships can change throughout the years. I wish I had this book to read to my younger self. Bonus points for excellent representation of kids from many cultures.
May 27, 2022
I really enjoyed this! I mean, it’s hard to listen to it because we’ve all been through middle school and the friendship dynamic shifts and realizing people aren’t who we thought they were, WE aren’t who we thought we were, but I loved the introspection. I loved the need to know and discovering that hey, some of this is totally my fault and I need to make these changes, but also, some of it is a lack of communication and some is just…life! I thought it was great.
August 3, 2022
I found this book about 3 weeks after my best friend dumped me. It was on a summer reading list. I didn't want to read it yet. So one day I just went online and placed the hold. I love this book. I've had so many best friends that were wrong for me, like Leni. But luckily I found the right one (Hey Tilly!). So READ THIS BOOK. It helps a lot if you have friendship issues. So I love this book and you should read it. I say bye! 🤗
May 8, 2022
This was an enjoyable read on a topic that a lot of the intended audience spends a whole lot of time thinking about (friendship!). I thought some particular strengths of Dear Friends were Eleni (the MC/narrator)'s awareness of her parents' issues and how they impacted her, something that will probably resonate with a fair few readers, and the palpable, physical descriptions of emotions.
July 26, 2023
Amaya and I are reading some great books together 🥰. I loved this one and all that it had to say about the nature of friendship. I liked that the character had the chance to reflect on so many friendships and how they fit into her life. She also had the opportunity to think about some hard feedback about the kind of friend she had been. Such a great read.
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