Reading Metrics
Description
Nola has always been friends with Canaan, Brian, and Kevin, the Swift boys, but when their father leaves them without saying goodbye, the boys start to change, and her long-time friends begin to pull away from her at a time when she needs them most.
Quick Summary
Nola has been best friends with the three Swift boys (Canaan, Brian, and Kevin) since they were little, but everything changes when their father abruptly abandons the family without saying goodbye, causing her friends to withdraw just when she needs them most. The story tackles heavy themes like friendship struggles, family abandonment, the pain of growing apart, and learning to cope with sudden change. If your kid likes "Bridge to Terabithia" with its exploration of friendship and loss, they'll find this story deeply relatable. This book is ideal for middle grades readers in 4th through 8th grade who enjoy realistic fiction about friendship challenges, particularly those reading at a 4.0 AR level who want a substantial 50,000-word chapter book.