Asking for a Friend by Ronnie Riley is a heartfelt middle-grade novel that tackles the complexities of friendship, identity, and social anxiety with humor and sensitivity. Geared toward readers aged 8–12, the story follows Eden Jones, a nonbinary seventh-grader who invents a group of friends to ease their mother’s worries. When their mom plans a birthday party, Eden scrambles to turn these imaginary friends into real ones, navigating the messy terrain of middle school dynamics. Along the way, Eden grapples with self-doubt, the pressure to fit in, and the fear of being “found out,” all while forming unexpected bonds with classmates who challenge their assumptions about trust and belonging. The narrative balances lighthearted moments with emotional depth, offering a relatable portrayal of the awkwardness and courage it takes to forge authentic connections. Eden’s journey is rendered in clear, accessible language that aligns well with the needs of English learners and reluctant readers. Short, direct sentences and realistic dialogue create a smooth reading experience, while the absence of dense paragraphs reduces visual overwhelm. Though the book incorporates some idiomatic expressions (e.g., “fake it till you make it”), these are contextualized through Eden’s internal monologue and everyday scenarios, making them easier to parse. The lack of illustrations is offset by vivid character interactions and situational humor, which help readers visualize the story’s emotional beats—such as Eden’s panic during a group project or their tentative conversations with classmates. Themes of social anxiety and identity negotiation are handled with care, offering students mirrors to their own experiences and windows into diverse perspectives. Educators will appreciate how the story’s structure—a mix of high-stakes drama and quiet introspection—invites discussions about empathy, communication, and the difference between performing confidence and cultivating it. For classrooms seeking inclusive, engaging stories that normalize vulnerability, Asking for a Friend is a compassionate choice that bridges literacy development with social-emotional learning.
