Annabel, again

by Meg McKinlay

Best friends aren't supposed to go away.And if they do, they're most definitely not meant to come back.When your best and only main friend since you were five moves away for ever and ever, leaving your life and your netball team in a state of crisis, there's only one thing to eat pistachio nuts. Lots of them. And rearrange your bookshelves. Many times. But what happens when you follow your mother's patented and thoroughly unhinged super-fast shortcut to forgetting and then the unthinkable happens - your best friend comes back again, walking casually into class like she never left? What happens when she goes and sits next to your old nemesis and invites her to join the netball team, dooming it to certain and horrible failure? Somehow, Olivia has to find a way to be friends with this new Annabel, preferably one that doesn't involve demented parental advice or books such as Journey to Your Inner You-ness.Annabel, Again is a story about pistachios and psychotic chickens; about not-quite-maniacs and the secret life of turtles. In the end, it’s a story about losing friendship, about fighting to hold on to what you had, and finally getting it back again, in a surprising new shape.

144 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2007

About the author

Meg McKinlay is a children's writer and poet living in Fremantle, Western Australia.

She has published twenty-five books for young people, ranging from picture books through to young adult novels, and a collection of poetry for adults. Her work has won awards including the Prime Minister's Literary Award, the CBCA Picture Book of the Year Award, and the WA Premier's Book Award, among others.

A former academic, swimming teacher, Japanese interpreter and tour guide, Meg has accidentally lived her life in accordance with the song lyrics, "If you see a strange door to your left/then drop your things and run for it"*, which is how she found herself wrangling words for a living. Meg has no plans to drop writing, though, and is always cooking up more books.

* From 'Wildflowers', by Things of Stone and Wood

Reviews

[♫✯Em loves Hollenstein✯♫❤the summertime and butterflies all belong to your creation❤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly love this book infinitely. I must have read it 6 times now, and I cry and smile every time. I love the start, the ending and everything in between. absolute perfection. <3

[Judy Wollin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annabel moves away. Olivia is grief-stricken and stumbles through life trying self-help strategies her mum recommends to overcome her loss. Life is grey without her best friend.
Annabel returns, life in Queensland, Australia, didn’t work out.
Olivia can’t believe it. Her life will be righted, her soul mate by her side. Only Annabel is friendly with the girls they used to ridicule and cool to Olivia. Joy turns to anger, and both girls struggle to sort their friendship. What happens that creates a pathway?
Recommended for Middle Grade.

[Susan Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve months prior to the start of the story, Livvy’s best friend Annabel moves away. Livvy never expects to see Annabel again, so encouraged by her mother, she seeks to move through her grief as quickly as possible.

Annabel, Again begins when Annabel returns to school and Livvy’s first reaction is shock. Annabel makes no attempt to reconnect with Livvy and quickly makes other friends at school. Livvy struggles to come to terms with not only Annabel’s return but the disregard Annabel shows her as if their previous friendship never existed. Events come to a climax over playing netball.

Through this story, Meg McKinlay is able to explore pre-teen friendships in a fresh way with a clever plot. It shows that misunderstandings can be resolved. It’s an enjoyable story, well written and moves at a good pace.

Thanks to Christian School Suppliers for providing a free book for review.

[Chairs Soon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's a short junior fiction book about friendship, and not what I'd usually read, but the plot really hooks you in. It's also so relatable because we all have that one friend that has left us forever.

[Gonzalezgkurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Liked very much this book

[Isabella · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book a couple of years ago when it was nominated for an award. Which I now do not understand why.
I found most of the characters pathetic, whiny girls who could not seem to grow up. The main character was especially tiresome - she just couldn't accept that her friend could change.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bit predictable...