Real Friends
Real Friends is a graphic memoir by Shannon Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham, which chronicles the intricate world of elementary school friendships. The narrative follows young Shannon as she navigates the social hierarchies, anxieties, and emotional challenges inherent in seeking acceptance within a clique of popular girls. This autobiographical account offers a relatable and honest portrayal of childhood struggles, including bullying and self-doubt, ultimately exploring the journey to finding authentic connections. The book is targeted at a middle-grade audience, aiming to resonate with readers experiencing similar social dynamics.
Concerns
Violence
MediumThe book depicts instances of bullying, including physical and emotional abuse from a sibling, and a scene involving a boy forcibly kissing another girl. These moments, while not graphic, contribute to a sense of interpersonal violence and distress.
Shannon's older sister, Wendy, is shown to be verbally and mentally abusive, slapping Shannon and screaming insults at her while she is in bed. In one scene, a boy holds Shannon back while another boy grabs Adrienne and forcefully kisses her multiple times. A boy also spits on Shannon.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe book includes a scene of unwanted physical contact presented as a kiss, which raises issues of consent, despite the recipient's later claim of enjoyment. A platonic cheek kiss between friends is also depicted, and later books in the series touch upon first crushes.
A boy grabs Adrienne and repeatedly kisses her without her clear consent, while Shannon is restrained. Adrienne later tells Shannon she wanted the kiss, creating a complicated message about consent. Shannon also gives a platonic kiss on the cheek to a friend, which a reviewer notes might confuse younger readers. The sequel, "Best Friends," explicitly mentions first crushes as a new theme.
Profanity
MediumThe book contains mild vulgarity, notably the term "turdmongers" used by characters and an implied instance of a parent swearing. While not pervasive, these words are present.
The term "turdmongers" is used multiple times by characters like Veronica and later by Shannon herself to describe mean friends. A review also indicates a scene where "Mom curses," represented by random characters rather than the explicit words.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe graphic novel contains emotionally intense situations, particularly around bullying, social exclusion, and severe sibling arguments. Shannon experiences anxiety, imagines her own death (not suicide), and visual metaphors of scary animals like bears and sharks are used to represent threats.
Shannon experiences significant emotional pain from being bullied and excluded by her friends, to the extent that she imagines dying (without suicidal intent) and considers running away. Her older sister, Wendy, is metaphorically depicted as a frightening "wild bear" during angry outbursts, contributing to an intense home environment. Some panels include illustrations of sharks or sabretooth tigers consuming people, used as visual metaphors for fear.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumDisrespect and rebellion are central themes, primarily through the portrayal of mean-girl dynamics, bullying, and significant sibling abuse. Shannon's parents are depicted as dismissive of her pleas regarding her sister's behavior, reinforcing a lack of respect for her feelings.
Bullying and social exclusion among 'The Group' are prevalent, with characters like Jenny making rude comments and actively excluding Shannon. Shannon's older sister, Wendy, demonstrates consistent disrespectful and abusive behavior. When Shannon seeks parental intervention regarding Wendy's abuse, her parents dismiss her, stating they 'don't want to get involved,' contributing to a feeling of parental disrespect and neglect.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowExplicit searches for LGBTQ content yielded no confirmed representation of LGBTQ characters or themes within "Real Friends" or its subsequent installments. While a rainbow pin is mentioned, it is described as platonic. The author advocates for gender equity, but this book focuses on traditional childhood friendship narratives.
The book does not feature any explicitly identified LGBTQ characters or storylines. A review notes Shannon wearing a rainbow pin, but it is clarified as an innocent detail without LGBTQ implications. Author Shannon Hale advocates for gender equity, but this particular memoir does not delve into LGBTQ or gender identity topics.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThe book includes a brief and common reference to wishing on dandelions, which is presented innocently and lacks any genuine occult or magical context. There are no other elements of witchcraft, sorcery, or supernatural practices.
Shannon is shown wishing on dandelions, a common childhood activity that is not depicted with any supernatural or occult significance. The book contains no other references to spells, rituals, demons, or overt magical elements.
Substance Use
LowThe book does not contain any depictions or mentions of alcohol, drug use, or smoking. This concern is entirely absent from the narrative of "Real Friends."
There are no instances of substance use, including alcohol consumption, drug use, or smoking, depicted or discussed by any characters in "Real Friends."
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe book explicitly portrays the protagonist, Shannon, as Christian (Mormon), actively engaging in prayer and discussions about Jesus. Her faith is an integral part of her identity and internal struggles, not presented negatively or as an object of mockery.
Shannon is depicted as a Mormon who prays regularly and acknowledges Jesus as part of her life. She internally grapples with Christian teachings on forgiveness when dealing with bullies, contemplating whether she should be kind to them. The book includes a scene where Shannon imagines Jesus reassuring her during a period of loneliness, saying, 'Well, I like you'.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Ages 8-12. This recommendation is based on the book's themes of navigating complex social dynamics, bullying, and emotional challenges inherent in childhood friendships. Some content, such as sibling abuse and a scene involving a forced kiss, may require parental discussion for younger or more sensitive readers.
Additional Notes
The "Real Friends" series, including sequels "Best Friends" and "Friends Forever," progressively explores more complex themes. "Best Friends" introduces first crushes and the continued challenges of social dynamics. "Friends Forever" delves into eighth-grade insecurities, dating, and undiagnosed depression, indicating a significant increase in emotional intensity and potentially mature themes in later installments. Parents should note the emotional depth and potential need for discussion on topics like consent, bullying, sibling dynamics, and self-worth across the series. The original book itself is a graphic memoir set in the 1980s, offering a realistic view of childhood challenges.
Related Reviews
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