My Worst Best Friend
What’s inside...
The best-selling author of Confessions of a Drama Queen takes a smart, funny look at friendship, staying true to your identity, and moving on. Gracie and Savannah are best friends - and utterly unalike. Savannah is beautiful, outrageous, and irresistible to the opposite sex. Gracie is shy, smart, and would rather be studying lizards than meeting boys. They've made a surprisingly great team, but Savannah's talent for lying and manipulating is becoming harder to ignore. She's fallen for an elusive college boy, raising doubts in Gracie's mind about her friend's confidence. When Savannah interferes with Gracie's crush, their friendship is tested.
Age
11-12
Length
304 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Gracie
Savannah
Discussion points
How did the characters' relationship change throughout the story, and what do you think caused those changes?
What would you do if you were in a similar situation as the main character?
How do you think the story would be different if it was told from another character's perspective?
What are some ways the characters could have solved their problems differently?
How did the characters' actions affect their friendships and how does this relate to your own experiences with friends?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book by relating the characters' experiences to their own. Ask them to think about similar situations they've faced and how they handled them. Facilitate a discussion about the importance of perspective by considering how different characters might perceive the same event. Highlight the value of empathy and understanding in resolving conflicts.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of forgiveness
Explanation: In 'My Worst Best Friend', the main characters experience misunderstandings and conflicts, but ultimately learn to forgive each other's mistakes.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to forgive their peers and understand that everyone makes mistakes, helping them build stronger and more resilient friendships.
Example Lesson: Understanding different perspectives
Explanation: The story illustrates how different characters have unique viewpoints and motivations, which leads to a richer understanding of each other's actions.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to consider other people's perspectives in conflicts or disagreements, allowing for more empathetic interactions with others.
Example Lesson: The importance of communication
Explanation: Miscommunications between characters in the book highlight how important clear communication is in maintaining relationships.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by practicing open and honest communication in their daily interactions, which can prevent misunderstandings and strengthen relationships.
Example Lesson: Resilience in facing challenges
Explanation: Characters in the book face personal and interpersonal challenges, and their journey towards overcoming them demonstrates resilience.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to persevere through their own challenges, be it at school or in personal relationships, fostering a sense of determination and resilience.