Best Frenemies Forever by Mara Alvarez delivers a heartfelt middle-grade story perfect for readers aged 9–12 navigating the rocky terrain of friendship and identity. The novel follows Luna and Zara, former best friends turned rivals after a fallout over a school talent show. When a group project forces them to collaborate, they must confront past misunderstandings while balancing new social pressures and family dynamics. Alvarez skillfully weaves humor and emotional depth as the girls rediscover common ground, though not without messy setbacks. The narrative avoids simplistic resolutions, instead highlighting the complexities of loyalty and growth in tween relationships. Alvarez’s storytelling shines in its accessibility. Short, direct sentences and realistic dialogue create a smooth reading experience, while frequent illustrations—ranging from expressive character sketches to visual metaphors of Luna’s anxiety—anchor abstract emotions in relatable imagery. Key scenes use minimal idiomatic language, and challenging vocabulary (e.g., “compromise,” “unraveling”) is contextualized through plot events, allowing inference without frustration. Luna’s habit of doodling conflict-resolution strategies in a notebook, depicted in sidebar artwork, offers visual learners a concrete entry point to discuss communication skills. The book’s 550 Lexile level and chapter breaks every 5–7 pages make it manageable for readers building stamina, and its 2024 Rainbow Book List honor underscores its inclusive portrayal of diverse family structures. Educators will appreciate how Luna and Zara’s alternating perspectives model empathy, inviting discussions about perspective-taking—a subtle but effective tool for language development. With its balance of levity and emotional truth, Best Frenemies Forever is a low-barrier, high-reward addition to shelves aimed at engaging hesitant readers through relevant, character-driven storytelling.