Being Friends with Boys

Gr 9 Up—Charlotte experiences the pleasures and perils of having friends who are boys in this enjoyable novel. An indifferent student, she thrives as manager of a band called Sad Jackal and also discovers her own talent for singing. But the major theme is the teen's feelings for several guys, both bandmates and classmates—are they romantic interests or just friends? Oliver, star of the group, may be taking credit for the songs Charlotte writes. Fabian, a newcomer, ignites a spark but may not be the one. Benji is the bad-boy study partner turned awkward date. Then there's Trip, her closest boy-who's-just-a-friend who left the band and is now pulling away from Charlotte, too. She must also deal with her annoying stepsisters, a former best friend who has abandoned her, an older sister who is away at college, and a mother who left the family to pursue her own interests. Sometimes, there is too much going on, and there are too many characters, which will confuse some readers. Also, while Charlotte reminisces about the "golden summer" and her deep friendships, the story starts after many of the rifts have occurred. This makes it difficult to see why she is so attached to the band members. With her family history thrown in, it sometimes feels as if the novel begins very late in Charlotte's story. However, readers will be fascinated by the quirky protagonist's growth as a singer and as a person. The ending-and Charlotte's realization that one boy is more than a friend-is a delightful surprise.—Miranda Doyle, San Francisco Public Library