This is a very different book from all the others in the Summer Book Club - but I wanted to make sure the girls didn't feel left out if they aren't into the adventure and mystery of the books I reviewed this summer. My Forever Friends is part of the Friends for Keeps series of 4 books. Based on the adventures and thoughts of four 4th grade girls with all the hangups, conflicts and attitudes (remember what that was like?) of girls at that age - if you're daughter has Frenemy's or Best Friends this book will be right up their alley!

This book revolves around Ida May and Jenna who are forced to spend time together when Jenna begins to spend time at Ida's home every day after school due to her mother's difficult pregnancy. Jenna is very list oriented, needs to have everything planned/followed and hates having her schedule changed (at least if she doesn't decide to change it). Ida ends up spending time with Rachel (Jenna's little sister) more to support her as Jenna has a mean streak and bosses Rachel around and puts her down quite a bit.

I don't know how many of you remember the middle school grades and how mean the girls could be to each other? Being best friends with one girl one week and then best friends with another girl the next week. This book reminded me a lot of that awkward age and how much I hated the stress and upheaval during that time. BUT, on the other hand, girls who read the series will identify with Ida May, Jenna, Stacy and the other girls in the Friends for Keeps series and should enjoy them thoroughly.

I'm going to rate this book a 4 - I didn't particularly care for the book but it is very well written, the author has a great understanding of girls at this age and I'm very sure that girls in the 4th - 6th grades will identify and understand exactly what's going on. And maybe they will learn some tricks they can use to get through this period in their young lives. =D ( )