Book Series · 3 Books
In order from Real Friends to Friends Forever.
A candid graphic memoir trilogy about friendship groups, belonging, anxiety, and growing up, told from Shannon Hale's childhood experiences.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Read Real Friends, Best Friends, and Friends Forever in order. The trilogy follows Shannon through successive stages of childhood, so relationships and emotional challenges carry forward even as each book focuses on a new school period.
These three books form the complete memoir sequence. Boxed sets and alternate editions collect the same stories rather than adding another volume.
The books portray relational bullying, exclusion, shifting friendship groups, sibling conflict, anxiety, self-doubt, body image, and the pressure to act like everyone else. Because the story is memoir, painful social moments can feel especially immediate.
The series gives families useful openings to discuss healthy friendship, asking adults for help, and recognizing anxiety. Humor and LeUyen Pham's expressive art balance the harder experiences without dismissing them.
A young girl navigates the challenges of growing up and finding her place in the world, struggling with friendships, family, and her own identity
3 books · Published 2017–2021
A young girl navigates the challenges of growing up and finding her place in the world, struggling with friendships, family, and her own identity
A young girl navigates the challenges of growing up, friendships, and self-discovery in the 1980s.
Eighth grade challenges Shannon's self-worth and happiness. Can she find her true self?
There are 3 books in the Real Friends series. It began with Real Friends in 2017, and the newest book, Friends Forever, was published in 2021.
Start with Real Friends and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #3.
The series is best for ages 8–14, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
Friends Forever (Book #3) is the longest book in the series at 15,933 words (304 pages).
Real Friends (Book #1) is the shortest at 6,576 words (220 pages).
The people who bring Real Friends to life.
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