In this chapter sample, there's already so much that a middle school student, especially girls, can relate to. I can't wait to read more.

Keenan and Zarabeth (ZeeBee) live in a unique town that straddles the border between Michigan and Canada. Keenan lives with his dad on the US side of the border as he recovers from tuberculosis contracted while living abroad with his mom and step-dad and ZeeBee lives with her parents on the Canadian side. The two team up to solve the mystery of a missing treasure buried by gangsters said to have lived in their town in the 1920s and 30s as well as figure out just how ZeeBee’s troublemaker, monster of a dog really died. Readers of Gordon Korman’s Ungifted and Slacker series, Restart and others will see his style in the pages of Notorious and maybe, since it is not nearly as long as those titles, reluctant readers looking for some action amidst realistic middle grade kids just like them will give it a try. After loving this one, maybe they can be encouraged to try other works by one of the best writers out there right for middle grade readers. Highly recommended with no content reservations. Possible extension activities for teachers using this one would be having students research lighthouses, mobsters and lawmen from the 1920s and 30s and maybe even whether the town of Centerlight even exists.

I can't wait to read the whole book. I love that the author has followed up from Real Friends! This book perfectly depicts a tween's navigation of the friend drama that occurs in Middle and High school.

I didn't realize this was only a chapter sampler when I requested the title from Netgalley, so I was super disappointed when there were only 18 pages! The featured story just whet my appetite for the rest of the book. Sigh. I'm going to have to wait for the August release date just like everyone else. Still, the little peek I got from it puts it on my books-to-buy list for my classroom. Shannon gives us more stories about growing up, how life isn't perfect once you're part of the in-crowd, and navigating the waters of middle school.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

This is a really cute follow-up to Real Friends and I liked the chapter sampler, so I'm interested to see where it goes now that our protagonist is in the sixth grade. The dialogue is great.

Shannon Hale never fails to disappoint. I adore this series! Middle school can be a roller coaster; growing up and figuring out friendships can feel like riding one. These graphic novels are great for kids of all ages.

Due to some glitch, I was only able to download 18 pages of this book. It looks like another wonderful Shannon Hale book that my students would love. Would love the opportunity to read the whole book. I am giving it a three only because I couldn’t read the whole book!

This is another quasi-biographical graphic novel by Shannon Hale, and it picks up pretty much right where "Just Friends" left off. Shannon is in middle school and enjoying an elevated social status as friends of the most popular girl in school. Mean girl behavior still abides, with Shannon's friends setting her up to say incriminating things about other friends. Shannon's good nature prevents an ugly situation, but leaves her feeling uncomfortable. This was a chapter sample, and what I read was really enjoyable. I loved the graphics in this book and I felt that Shannon's personality and situations were really relatable, especially to middle school girls. I can't wait to read the rest of this book when it is published!

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

I loved Real Friends, and this one looks to have the same themes of changing friendship dynamics and figuring out the topsy turvy preteen social world. Shannon still seems like the relatable, likable protagonist she was in the first book. It's a promising start; looking forward to another great read!

This snippet was an exciting look at what's to come! Shannon Hale is a big hit at my library already and I'm sure this one will be too.

If the rest of <i>Best Friends</i> by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham is as good as the sampler, I'm sure it will be yet another excellent example of growing up just like it's predecessor, <i>Real Friends</i>. In my haste to request an advanced copy, I didn't realize this was a chapter sampler. However, that doesn't take away from the fact of how well the story is set up following the hard-hitting tale in <i>Real Friends</i>, and it definitely reminds readers that while things might be smooth sailing now, it's not always the case with friendships or any human interaction.

Given how well-received the first book was, I'm certain <i>Best Friends</i> will be another highly-anticipated read for both younger and older audiences. Because truth to tell, on the verge of being in middle school (along with BEING in middle school) is a rough time for A LOT of youngsters. I"m certain that Hale and Pham will show that quite well, following this opening. Highly recommended, thus far.

This was a chapter sampler.

Great beginning. Art by Pham is wonderful. Can't wait to read the rest!

Just like the first book, I think kids will be able to relate and see themselves in the characters. Will definitely be buying for my classroom.

I only read the first chapter since that was what was provided. Based on that, it seems that it will be a hit with the kids just like Best Friends is. It seems to show how the girls are changing as they mature. How their friendships are different now.

I loved this chapter preview. I can't wait to read more about Shannon and her experiences in sixth grade. It's sure to be a hit with kids.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title.

I enjoy the artwork from Shannon Hale, and I am enjoying the story so far. Wish that this wasn't just a chapter sample so I could enjoy the whole book. Will be recommending it to be purchased for our library.

Love Shannon Hale and was so excited to see this on NetGalley...but completely disappointed to open this and find that it was only a preview...

I wish this was the entire book. I have not read any books by Shannon Hale before, but this sample was really intriguing. I can definitely relate to the main character's awkwardness and insecurities. I can't wait to read the whole story.

I wish this was more than a preview! I am positive that myself and my students will enjoy this as much as we enjoyed Real Friends. It's difficult to give a rating when you cannot read something in its entirety so I will be sure to update my rating upon finishing the book. Can't wait to read the rest of it!

Sad this was only a preview! Myself and my students are dying to read the sequel to “Real Friends.” Looking forward to the fall!