Hello! I'm Afoma.
  • Book Reviews
    • Picture book
    • Chapter Books
    • Middle-Grade
    • Graphic Novels
    • Young Adult
    • Adult Fiction
    • Adult Non-Fiction
  • Book Lists
    • Picture Book Lists
    • Middle Grade Book Lists
    • Book Lists by Theme
    • Book Lists by Grade
    • Audiobook Recommendations
  • Join My Newsletter!
  • Go to the Blog
  • Summer Reading

Reading Middle Grade

Books for Kids and Grown Ups

  • Book Reviews
    • Picture book
    • Chapter Books
    • Middle-Grade
    • Graphic Novels
    • Young Adult
    • Adult Fiction
    • Adult Non-Fiction
  • Book Lists
    • Picture Book Lists
    • Middle Grade Book Lists
    • Book Lists by Theme
    • Book Lists by Grade
    • Audiobook Recommendations
  • Join My Newsletter!
  • Go to the Blog
  • Summer Reading

Book Reviews, Middle-Grade · April 13, 2020

Review | That’s What Friends Do

That's What Friends Do - Book Review

Summary: That’s What Friends Do

In That’s What Friends Do, Sammie and David are best friends who first met at Little League. As the only girl on the baseball team, Sammie enjoys being one of the guys and she and David get along excellently. She also thinks all the other girls do “girly” things which she feels are not her style. She’s convinced herself that she’s just better being friends with the boys. Things are great until a new boy, Luke moves into the neighborhood.

Luke is taller than David and keeps trying to flirt with Sammie even though it obviously makes her uncomfortable. While Sammie looks to David for support, David — who has a crush on Sammie — is preoccupied with being jealous of Luke’s seemingly “smooth” skills. As a result, David starts to focus on making his affections known to Sammie just as Luke seems to be doing. Eventually, an incident on the bus between David and Sammie jeopardizes their friendship and forces Sammie to re-examine the meaning of true friendship.

The Good

I really liked this book. The audiobook is fantastic and I remember being in awe of the author’s ability to craft a gripping story as I listened. Most girls will remember having been verbally harassed and even inappropriately touched by a boy despite protests in middle-school (or junior secondary school). So this story is bound to hit home as Sammie deals with her circumstances. What I enjoyed most about this book is the way the author balances sensitivity with seriousness. Inappropriate behavior is not downplayed, but at the same time, the boys’ characters are not one-dimensional. I also loved that there were consequences for their actions.

Another wonderful aspect of this book is the way it elevates female friendships. One of my favorite quotes is from Sammie’s mother:

There are different ways to be a woman.

Cathleen Barnhart, That’s What Friends Do

Sammie learns that she can befriend other girls without liking everything they like. She is welcomed into the life-changing experience of female friendships and this teaches her to be a better friend to the boys when that time comes. This book also shows the value of open communication between parents and their children and how vital it is that parents be a safe space for their kids both when they’re in trouble and when their dreams change.

Overall: That’s What Friends Do

I loved everything about this wonderful wholesome story. That’s What Friends Do is a realistic portrayal of the tumultuous years between childhood and adolescence. It examines closely the need for young people to recognize and respect boundaries, especially where sexual harassment is concerned. Books like these are invaluable for helping young people understand toxic masculinity and consent. This is a book worth putting in as many young hands as possible.

That's What Friends Do is a realistic portrayal of the tumultuous years between childhood and adolescence. It examines closely the need for young people to recognize and respect boundaries, especially where sexual harassment is concerned. Click To Tweet

Buy This Book

that's what friends do cathleen barnhart

Have you read this book or any other middle-grade books that handle consent and sexual harassment sensitively? Please leave me your recommendations! See 43 more books about friendships here.

More Book Reviews

  • Clues to the Universe by Christina Li
  • Turning Point by Paula Chase
  • Chirp by Kate Messner

Don't Forget to Share!

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pocket
  • Email
  • WhatsApp
  • LinkedIn

Related

Posted In: Book Reviews, Middle-Grade · Tagged: friendships

Join My Newsletter

Like what you just read? Sign up for my Friday kidlit newsletter!

Privacy Policy

You’ll Also Love

Review | Be Real, Macy Weaver
Review | Coming Up Short
Graphic Novel Review | Swim Team

Comments

  1. Jenna @ Falling Letters says

    April 16, 2020 at 2:37 pm

    Great review; I would really like to read this one. I appreciate what you’ve written about the boy characters not being one-dimensional. I think that’s important for a book like this to make the most difference it can, in the hands of middle grade readers, if that makes any sense!

    Reply
    • Afoma Umesi says

      April 18, 2020 at 10:34 am

      It really is important. I hope you get to read this one soon.

      Reply

What do you think? Leave a comment Cancel reply

Next Post >

Review | How to Make Friends with the Sea

About Me
Hi, I'm Afoma! Thank you for stopping by. Learn more about me here.

Get 2 Months Free on Scribd


Follow on Bloglovin’

Follow

We’re Social Too!

  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Stock photos courtesy of our partners at DepositPhotos 📸
✨a suspenseful middle grade book✨ ✨chapter books worth reading!✨ Welcoming a second baby? Here’s a delightful picture book with tips for big kids. Although there’s more text in this one than I’d like for a typical picture book, I love that the information is factual and can be very helpful for parents tackling these specific questions with their big kids ❤️ ❓What happened to Rachel Riley❓ As much as I love new releases, I like to make room in my reading plans for books released a couple (or more) years before. Here’s my current backlist stack for 2023. ✨life’s easier when you can be yourself ✨
  • Blog
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 Reading Middle Grade · Theme by 17th Avenue

 

Loading Comments...