I seem to be drawn to graphic novels that remind me of my childhood/middle school years first in Svetlana Chmakova's Brave and now in Shannon Hale & LeUyen Pham's Real Friends.

Let me restate what I'm sure other reviewers have already said: this book will bring on the FEELS in many different ways.

It took me a few pages in to realize that this graphic novel was semi-autobiographical, and this fact 1) only reinforces that I should read more of Hale's books and 2) makes it a trifle harder to review (I mean, how can you review someone's memories?).

What I will say is that Real Friends feels and reads like it could be about anyone. Forget the time period, people go through what Shannon goes through in this story every day. And I think that's also one of the most beautiful traits about this graphic novel. It allows a connection (really, multiple connections) to be made between writers and readers. Whether you can say you were a Shannon, a Jenny, a Wendy, or a Zara (and sometimes different characters at different points in life), we have been there. And while the focus was on Shannon, it was fascinating to watch how the girls around her changed or didn't in some cases.

But how can you talk about a graphic novel without examining the art? Pham's style is incredible, colorful, and so adorable while also having an air of reality to it. She took Shannon's story and helped breathe life into these characters to give a window into the lives of this expanding group of girls. This was a very varied group, and it certainly showed in both their expressions, their mannerisms, and their words.

This is an honest story, and I think that while it might be aimed at a younger audience, it's really written for an older group. Younger readers will find comfort and hope in Real Friends while older readers will also find comfort in knowing they weren't alone and were able to move forward. We can look back on our own memories and hopefully accept them and continue to move ahead.