The Real Deal: A Middle Grade Friendship Story About Secrets, Comic Books, and Finding Your Voice for Kids

by Lindsey Stoddard

“An absolute treasure. Vibrant, charming, and absolutely real.”— Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, author of Operation Sisterhood Two best friends discover the danger and power of secrets in this pitch perfect standalone from the acclaimed author of Just Like Jackie and Brave Like That . Not every friendship can be the real deal, but for Gabe and Oliver, that’s never been a question. Until now. Things still feel the same on the surface—they’re even making a comic about their friendship—but lately Oliver’s acting like he might be hiding something. And then there’s Reuben, the new boy who just moved to town. He doesn’t talk—not ever. The other kids say mean things and call him names behind his back. Gabe knows it isn’t right—but he and Oliver stay quiet, or worse, laugh along with the others just to keep from standing out. Through the character he and Oliver create in their comic adventure, the experience they have babysitting twin toddlers, and with the help of a troublemaking seventh grader who gets sent to their sixth-grade class, Gabe begins to find his voice and become the realest-deal version of his own self. But if he does that—can he still hold onto his best friend, too? Perfect for fans of Lisa Graff and Linda Mullaly Hunt, this novel from Lindsey Stoddard, whose stories were lauded as “remarkable” by the  New York Times Book Review , will have fans new and old hooked.  

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Contemporary, Childrens, Friendship

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 25, 2022

About the author

Lindsey Stoddard was born and raised in Vermont where she helped boil sap in her grandpa's sugarhouse, skied the snowy mountains, and began her love for reading and writing. She taught middle school English for 10 years in Washington Heights, NYC to the most inspiring, creative kids. Their excitement about reading motivated her to pursue her other childhood dream, writing books. She now lives back in Vermont with her husband and two children. She received her MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and is the author of Just Like Jackie, Right as Rain, Brave Like That, Bea Is for Blended, and The Real Deal (10/25/22).

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabe and best friend Oliver have been best buddies since they met on the teeter totter in PreK. As Gabe's mom said, "Every teeter needs a totter." They are working on a comic strip project in 6th grade. Their love for the Dogman series has them imagining themselves stitched together as Gabiver. What crime will they solve? Perhaps their Appalachian trail hiking ambitions will inspire them. They also are struggling with how to connect with a new boy in their classroom. Reuben is nonverbal and there are some other kids who nervously react to Reuben with teasing and ridicule. Can Gabiver make a difference? There are so many great themes in this book as the boys deal with life and the "why" questions. Their adventures as mother's helpers for 2-year-old twins are hilarious. Another commendable read from Lindsey Stoddard. She is "the real deal."


Thank you to HarperCollins and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. Happy pub day!

[Katie Reilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing an early copy for #Bookexpedition to read and review.

This book is THE REAL DEAL.
Pun intended.
I finished this one in a day. It’s the first time I’ve been able to do that in quite a while. These characters - Gabe, Oliver, and Reuben felt so real - students who could be sitting in my classroom. And, if I’m half the teacher their Ms. Leavitt is, I’d be honored.

Because Gabe’s mom works in a bookstore, it’s full of excellent book recommendations and beautifully describes the way new books look (and smell) on bookstore shelves.
It also tackles the insane notion that graphic novels aren’t worthy of book reports. It discusses side-ways mean bullying, and every teacher and student will be able to relate to it. It opens the door for discussions on topics such as toxic masculinity and environmentalism, and I was thrilled to see that it shared characters who attended therapy, helping to normalize mental health supports for students.

This book is about friendship. And following your gut, finding your inner voice, and making choices based on the kind of person you want to be.

Favorite quotes:
“You can always tell if something is actually funny by how it feels in your guts. If you’re doing that belly-aching-sore-muscles-makes-you-feel-free kind of laugh, then you know it’s good-funny. But if you laugh and then it feels like you swallowed gobbledygook, you know it’s not.”

“And I’m also thinking that there’s no such thing as leave no trace. Because we do. We leave traces on everyone we meet. It’s just what kind of trace we leave that matters.”

Comparable themes to Operation Frog Effect by Sarah Scheerger.

Publishing in October 2022. A must pre-order. I’ll definitely be reading aloud with my 5th graders this fall.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Great middle-grade book! Important themes about friendship and about learning to be true to oneself would make this a useful teaching tool for classrooms. And who could resist Knox and Kobe with their pleas for “Yolipops!”?

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gobbled up the latest by Lindsey Stoddard. How can you not?
Another middle grade masterpiece that hits the right notes for ANY age.
May cause uninhibited hugging and treasuring true friends.

[Belles Middle Grade Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a deeply meaningful story, full of so much heart & amazing lessons. Gabe's mom works in a bookstore, & he also loves books, so there are many book recommendations mentioned throughout the book. Loved that. Gabe is such a great kid. Sometimes he makes the wrong choices, like laughing when he shouldn't. But he's a good kid, because he gets that icky feeling in his stomach when he's done something he shouldn't have, & he feels bad about it, & wants to be better. He & his best friend Oliver are the best of friends, but just like any friendship in middle school, things are starting to change. Oliver isn't sharing everything, & he's not doing as well as Gabe at being a better person about certain things. I love the idea of the comic they're creating together so much. Rae is such a spunky character, & she brought so much to the story, even though her character wasn't a huge part of the story. I also LOVED how she refused to apologize for an incident that happened when she was told graphic novels didn't count as "real books". Ugh. Reuben is a silent character, but is able to say so much in his silence. I LOVED everything we learn throughout the story-about Oliver, Reuben, & more. PHENOMENAL character growth/development with all 3 boys. I love that the bully in the story is shown to have something in their own life that pressures them, & makes them unhappy-which is probably in some part why they are the way they are-but only in some part. There is never any excuse to be a bully. The babysitting adventures that Oliver & Gabe have with the 2 year old twins is just the best lol. So many great themes in here. Some are bullying, trauma, guilt, parent abandonment (& an example of consequences of that), friendship, listening to what your gut is saying, & about the kind of person you want to be. Even if you aren't the 1 doing the bullying head on-if you chose to even giggle, or do NOTHING, you are really just as bad in my opinion. There's the kind of deep sadness in here that is palpable, & you can almost hear it. Ms. Leavitt has my heart. Another 1 of those "angels on earth" kind of teachers I've talked about before. HIGHLY recommend. BEAUTIFUL cover by Maike Plenzke too. 💜

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I unexpectedly enjoyed this book much more than I thought I was going to when I began it! The Real Deal by Lindsey Stoddard is a middle grade, realistic fiction book that had me feeling all the emotions. Sometimes I was laughing aloud and soon after, I was nodding along with empathy at things the character was saying and experiencing.

In this story, twelve-year-old Gabe is navigating the difficulties of middle school and friendship. Gabe and Oliver have been best friends since they met on the teeter totter the first day of preK. Even though Gabe is a bookworm and Oliver is a sports nut, the boys have maintained a strong friendship through the years. But roadblocks crop up during this school year for Gabe: befriending a new kid named Reuben who joins their class but doesn’t speak, earning enough money for a potential backpacking trip in the wilderness, and understanding Oliver’s strange, new behavior.

Through these trials of adolescence, Gabe learns to stay true to himself. He uses advice and mantras from both his teacher and parents in various scenarios that help him follow his conscience. Gabe learns to follow his convictions while helping both Oliver and Reuben through their own tribulations. Divorce, tragedy, mental health, conservation of the environment, and bullying are topics that are introduced and deftly addressed within the storyline.

In addition to a compelling story, Stoddard’s writing is fantastic! I felt like she eavesdropped on kids and recorded their conversations. It was also fabulous to see boy friendships written authentically. Stoddard’s use of writing out Gabe’s inner thoughts provided deeper meaning throughout the story. The Real Deal is a story that every reader can relate to whether male or female.

5 stars for “The Real Deal” of a super book! Special thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Emily Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to #NetGalley, Lindsey Stoddard, and the publisher of the book for the eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Gabe and Oliver have a real and true friendship, which can be really hard in middle school. They do everything together, but recently Oliver acts like he is hiding something and that worries Gabe. On top of that, a new boy named Reuben moves to town. Reuben never talks, ever. Classmates begin to make fun of and tease him which really bothers Gabe.
Can Gabe figure out what is going on with Oliver, while also doing his best to stand up for Reuben?

I loved this story! Middle school is hard, but it was so nice to see a boy character that not only has hobbies other than sports, but also doesn't stand by and let others get made teased or picked on. I don't think it's bad to have books for middle school boys that the characters are into sports, but not every boy is that way. It was nice to see a book with a character that enjoys reading and speaks up for others. I also thought it was nice to see the real friendship between Gabe and Oliver.

[Amie Hannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relevant. That's the most specific adjective I can use to describe this middle grade novel. I'm not going to summarize or list the ways in which this realistic fiction book is relevant for kids, because other reviews have probably already done that. I'll just say that I'm going to start the school year with this as my read aloud in 5th because it'll appeal to everyone & it conveys a theme I want to promote for the year.
I'm going to have to figure out how best to approach the use of "damn" & "hell", but they're a necessary part of the story/characters so I'm not leaving them out. I'll also need to figure out where to pause within some chapters because they're longer than my L.A. time allows, but oh well. The coolest thing I'm going to get to do is display the other books that are referenced in this book as each is introduced, and watch how many kids want to read those. I LOVE that Ms. Stoddard wove current GOOD kid lit into several chapters because her characters basically book-talk them for us!

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. This is the second book of mrs. Lindsey's that I have read, and wow. It was so moving! The only word to describe the book is awe inspiring.
The Real Deal makes me think about what trace I'm leaving. Mrs. Lindsey you are awesome!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Real Deal will not disappoint! In typical Lindsey style, the reader will make a connection with their characters and their stories. I loved the friendship of the main characters and the layers that that the secondary characters had kept me wanting me to know what was going to happen next. I can't wait to share this beautiful book and story with my students. My favorite #MelissasGoldenLines were:
"And I'm also thinking that there's no such thing as leave no trace. Because we do. We leave traces on everyone we meet. It's just what kind of trace we leave that matters. Are we going to be a piece of plastic stuck in the branches where a bird used to make its next? Or are we a seed dropped so something new can grow tall and strong and add more oxygen to the world, making it easier to breathe?"

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been awhile since I laughed out loud during a book. The Real Deal deals with some deep subjects but in the best way. Gabe and Oliver have been best friends since pre-k. Now in the seventh grade, there's a new student in their class, Reuben who is on his third new school and doesn't talk. Gabe and Oliver give a a wonderful example of a friendship And we get to watch as their friendship grows and expands. Ms. Leavitt, their seventh grade teacher, is the kind of teacher we all want to have. She works to create good people as well as good students. The Real Deal touches on several deep issues-bullying, poverty, mental health, but this book covers those issues with such a deft touch, it's going in my class library as soon as released and book talked often.

[Susan Lefman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, but kids will love it more. The description of that feeling you get when you know someone is doing the wrong thing, but you laugh because it feels like you should touched my heart and will resonate with middle school kids who also struggle with how far they should go to fit in.

Middle schoolers will also appreciate the recognition of their favorite graphic novels (Dogman, Smile, and Real Friends) and how they are "heavier than they look because the pages are thick with drawings."

Middle School students that can be found in any classroom are included in this story. The "bad" girl who is not really that bad, the class bully who is also the teacher's pet, the best friend with his own secrets and fears, and the new kid who is different from the rest of his peers.

Humorous elements mixed throughout keep a story that explores the social elements of middle school from being too heavy.

This book will make an excellent addition to any upper grade or middle school library.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, I thought... Another bullying story, but how wrong I was. Choosing to tell the story from the point of view of the ones who must take a stand for the ones in need and not the victim makes a difference.


The author focused on building wonderful scenes for all characters not just the main ones, we even get a good idea of how the parents and teachers stand. 


I loved how Gabe began to understand what was happening and how much he grows up. 


The end is emotional and made me fear for the characters, and also made me want to listen better because being silent and letting sadness grow can be misunderstood and dangerously ignored. Something that is not only observed in children. 


Great choice to create Reuben, a character who doesn't speak because of trauma. He teaches us to listen better and make the right choices, not the choices that side with the cool and loudest kids who step on others. 


I love that Gabe and Oliver were creating a comic together and it helped them to resolve their issues, to learn to think more about their actions. The characters are very well-balanced with their goals and emotions, whether it is to save for hiking in summer and babysit the twins or to practice really hard basketball. 


Themes like bullying, friendship, learning responsibility, learning to keep at a given task, standing up for others, choosing the right path instead of the cool one, following parents' rules, fighting for what is worth it, understanding that bad things happen and are not in our control, dealing with guilt, divorce, depression.


Thank you Harper Collins for the chance to give my honest opinion. 

[Jennifer Hottinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Gabe and Oliver’s friendship, their quest to author a graphic novel like Dog Man and the lessons they learn beyond school as they meet Rueben. You just never know what someone else is going through so being a nice human is best. Absolutely loved the mention of so many great books w/in the story! Middle schoolers will love this book as I did!📚❤️

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We leave traces on everyone we meet. It’s just what kind of trace we leave that matters.”

Such a thoughtful story of friendship and school, overcoming the difficult parts of life and being their for friends when they are going through a difficult time. And listening to the “gobbledygook” in your guts telling you to do the right thing.

Loved this book!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Real Deal belongs on every child’s bookshelf. Oliver, Gabe, and Reuben learn that sometimes things are hard just because. Life is going to definitely throw guano at you, but when you have friends that are the real deal, you manage. Highly, highly recommend.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabe and Oliver have been best friends since preschool. There is the usual mix of kids in their class, but the arrival of Reuben, a new student who does not speak, prompts a wave of unkindness that makes Gabe feel sick to his stomach. At first Gabe and Oliver don’t say anything, but as classmates escalate their laughter and unkind words, the friends must finally take a stand. A perfect read aloud for classrooms. Kids will cheer!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This is an excellent story about friendships and personal growth for middle grade readers.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in awe of Stoddard’s ability to create authentic middle grade characters that breathe life into important, thought-provoking, funny stories.

[Jill Ramig · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about not losing your way. Paying attention to when things feel wrong. Staying your course and following the path. It is so easy to be led off the path and start not doing what you believe is right. Gabe and Oliver have always been best friends. A new student, Reuben, doesn't talk - not ever. Gabe unintentionally starts the teasing but once it gets started he doesn't do anything to stop it. Gabe learns to listen to his gut, intervene when he needs to and learns from Reuben how to listen not only to himself but to others. A gripping story that MG students will relate to and feel empowered. @LindseyStoddard

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabe has been friends with Oliver since pre-K when they played on the teeter-totter together. When there is a new boy at school who doesn't talk, the other kids make fun of him and Gabe is conflicted about whether he should laugh along with them. Oliver has also been acting strange and seems to be keeping a secret from him. The characters in this middle grade novel are great and the plot is engaging. It's a touching story about friendship and listening to one's heart.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't expect to love The Real Deal, but it's the kind of book kids need to have on their shelves these days. Gabe is a sixth grader learning about true friendship, bullying, and what it means to listen to your gut. Reuben is a new classmate on his third "fresh start," dealing with post-traumatic stress in a very raw and authentic way. As Reuben and Gabe's lives start to intertwine, we realize that not everything is how it appears to be on the outside. Powerful story -- I want to share this one with every tween I know.

(I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)

[Jgramley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerhouse book about the moments that shape our character and learning to find your true self in the face of others, family, and painful pasts. I am thankful for Gabiver and like Dog Man, only wish for more of his adventures.

[Jayne Bartrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. I love all Lindsey Stoddard’s books. She knows her audience and connects with every reader, young and not so young❤️

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this middle grade novel.

Gabe and Oliver have always had the best friendship. Gabe thinks they're as close as they could be, until he realizes that maybe Oliver hasn't shared everything with him, and Gabe starts to wonder what else might be missing. The addition of Reuben to their class has also added a new twist. Gabe knows that when Chaz makes fun of him it doesn't feel right or good, but he doesn't yet know what to do about it. Gabe learns a lot about himself and about friendship in this book, as do a few other characters, and I can't wait for readers to get their hands on this one.

[Lisa McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC of The Real Deal by Lindsey Stoddard. This book is fabulous! A story of friendship and finding your own voice. Gabe and Oliver have been best friends since preschool., when they shared a teeter-totter. They have been inseparable ever since. Now, however, things seem a little uncertain. Oliver seems to be pulling away. But in an effort to earn money, the two boys take on a mother's helper babysitting job of a set of toddler/preschool aged twins. Imagining these babysitting scenes put a smile on my face!

Meanwhile, a new boy, Reuben, has joined their class, but he doesn't speak. Ever. Chaz, the class bully, makes fun of Reuben and Gabe joins in the laughter despite the fact that it gives him uneasy feelings. Gabe has to figure out a way to stand up for himself and Reuben, when nearly everyone, including his best friend, Oliver seems to think that making fun of Reuben is OK.

I loved this book and it shouldn't be missed.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lindsay Stoddard (Brave Like That, Bea is For Blended) returns with best friends Gabe and Oliver, two boys who are tackling sixth grade with confidence in their friendship but not so sure about a few of their teachers and classmates. Will Oliver begin to side with class meanie Chaz in tormenting Reuben, the boy who doesn’t talk? Will Gabe find it within himself to listen to the “gobbledygook” in his gut and stand up for the new boy? Stoddard’s characters represent many of those in any sixth grade anywhere-athletes, gifted artists, those who hide their hurts, those who act out, kids from homes with two parents and those with only one and more. Gabe and Oliver’s friendship is solid despite the fact that one is spending a great deal of time on the basketball court and the other can barely bounce a ball. Both boys learn vital lessons in valuing the differences in those around them and standing up when others are being knocked down. Interesting bits in the book that may lead to students investigating new things: a nature club with lessons on orienteering and hiking, details about a planned backpacking trip, references to popular graphic novels by Pilkey, Telgemeier, and Hale, a variety of art forms described during an English project. Outstanding choice for libraries of those in grades 4-7. No sexual content or physical violence. Several instances of the word “damn” that are key to the development of the plot/character.

From the arc and hopefully still present in the final copy:

“And I’m also thinking that there’s no such thing as leave no trace. Because we do. We leave traces on everyone we meet. It’s just what kind of trace we leave that matters. Are we doing to be a piece of plastic stuck in the branches where a bird used to make its nest? Or are we a seed dropped so something new can grow tall and strong and add more oxygen to the world, making it easier to breathe?” Gabe, pg. 253

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d been having trouble finding a book I could dive into this summer, but when I began reading Lindsey Stoddard’s latest, I knew I had found one to fill the void. It’s a story about friendship, families and finding the courage to use your voice to stand up for what you know is right. It’s also a story about school bullies, an amazing teacher we would all aspire to be, books that draw us together, responsibility and having adventures.

This MG book is a must for elementary and middle school libraries, for counselor’s book shelves and for classroom collections. It’s a perfect classroom read aloud for grades 4-7, filled with loads of opportunities for discussion. It’s available October 25th. You’ll want to preorder it now.

[Joe Perreault · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabe and Oliver are just entering seventh grade, however, their friendship started well before kindergarten. They share many of the same interests. Prime among them is their love of graphic novels - specifically, "Dogman." This year, Gabe and Oliver want to write their own graphic novel that draws inspiration from Dav Pilkey. Instead of a man with a dog's head, they decide to combine their personalities into "Gabiver."

Despite their focus on their budding careers as writers, Gabe and Oliver have the course of their year change when the new kid, Ruben, enters their class. Ruben isn't like a lot of middle schoolers, primarily because he does not speak. Gabe and Oliver watch their classmates tease and bully Ruben and need to decide whether they will join in, ignore what's going on, or take a stand and help Ruben out.

The themes of friendship, responsibility, and growing up are deftly considered in one of Lindsey Stoddard's best works ... and let's be honest, she has several. "The Real Deal" is a perfect book for upper elementary and middle school students who love realistic fiction, but who want a story told from a different point of view. In this case, it's not the bullied student telling the story, but a third party, which makes for an interesting study in perspective and gives young readers greater cause to look within themselves to consider how they might handle a similar situation.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO much to love about this book from Lindsey Stoddard, whose books I have always adored.
1. A lovable main character in Gabe - I also appreciated that while we see growth in Gabe, the main struggles in the book are not about him. He is learning how to be an upstander, an ally, not just a good friend. He is comfortable in his own skin, secure in his friendship with Oliver, and has a strong sense of conscience.
2. Reuben - I loved the "peeling back of the onion" as we get to know Reuben, recognize foreshadowing before the reveal of the trauma that has left him speechless. I really appreciated that the book's goal was not to "make him talk" but to let him be heard. Wow.
3. Oliver - I love MG books with good friends. Yes, there are countless friendship struggles in store for these readers, but I really adore books that model how good friendships work. Oliver is hurting, and even his best friend doesn't see it until it's almost too late.
4. Ms. Leavitt - I have to love a good teacher, who treats students with humor, respect, and also teaches them to be their best selves. Her "gobbledygook" speech really resonates.
5. I loved the metaphors with orienteering and hiking!

"...there's no such thing as leave no trace. Because we do. We leave traces on everyone we meet. It's just what kind of trace we leave that matters."