Bad Best Friend

By Rachel Vail

Eighth-grade dreams shatter when Niki's best friend chooses popularity over loyalty.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 808 ratings

320 pages· 61,386 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

$17.99Save 6%

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Bookroo's summary

Niki Ames faces a tumultuous eighth grade when her best friend Ava ditches her for the popular crowd. As Niki grapples with friendship betrayal, she must also navigate a complicated home life with her brother Danny, whose behavior hints at autism. Torn between the desire to fit in and the fear of being different, Niki questions her identity and loyalty. Can she find her true friends and embrace her real self, or will she lose everything she holds dear? Dive into a journey of self-discovery and the challenges of growing up.

From the publisher

Rachel Vail’s powerful middle-grade novel proves once again that no one does tween better than she does! Niki Ames can’t wait to start eighth grade, that all-important year before high school. She and her best friend Ava have shared so many plans for the coming year. But then the unthinkable happens: at gym class pair-up, Ava chooses someone else to be her partner. Niki is devastated. It’s clear that Ava wants to be part of the popular group, leaving Niki behind. Niki has to decide who her real friends should be, where her real interests lie. Meanwhile, life at home is complicated. Niki’s nine-year-old brother Danny continues to act out more and more publicly. Their mother refuses to admit that Danny is somewhere on the autism spectrum, but it’s clear he needs help. Niki doesn’t want to be like her brother, to be labeled as different. She just wants to be popular! Is she a bad sister and a bad best friend?

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