Customer Reviews

The Worst Best Friend

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker

It is reported that bullying is one of the big problems in schools today. Not all bullying is necessarily physical. Bullying can be mental and emotional too. Mike and Conrad are best friends. That is, until one day Victor comes along. Victor does not beat up on other kids, but he boasts and brags about how good he is at sports. So Conrad no longer plays with Mike but follows after Victor. Mike feels very hurt. His best friend becomes his worst friend. The next day, Victor and Mike are captains of the kickball teams, so when Victor's desire to win does not leave any room for Conrad, what will Mike do?

In addition to its being a fun read, there are some wonderful lessons in this story for children about the importance of true friendship, the need for showing kindness, and even the fact that winning is not always the most important thing. The lively illustrations will appeal to young readers, and observant students may find what is written on the blackboards in the classroom and cafeteria scenes quite amusing. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and looking at this picture book and recommend it highly. While the target audience is ages 5-8, even my twelve-year-old said that he liked it too.

The Worst Best Friend was a good book. I would recommend it to any child who is in kindergarten or first grade. This book talked about bullying and was an easy read so children would be able to understand easily. This book would be a great tool to teach children about the different concepts and what it means to be a friend.

Next to Buddy and Walter's cage in the classroom was a "Growth Chart." Of course hamsters are kind of small and rated just above grass on the chart. Conrad just barely made it to "Not so Big" while his BEST best friend (on the Friend O Meter), Mike, was on the "Kind of Big" spot. They did everything together and it was perfectly acceptable for Conrad to grab a French fry right off Mike's tray at lunch time. Can't get much better than that! "High five, high five . . . Knuckle, knuckle . . . Clap . . . Shoulder tap, shoulder tap . . . Stomp, stop . . . Snap!" Then one day the principal brought a new boy, Victor, into the classroom. Now he was a big guy who was really sharp looking, won all kinds of sports medals and was going to be popular. And so, he was invited to sit at the boys' table.

Victor was sort of a "me, me, me" guy and bragged like crazy at recess. Conrad was some impressed and when Mike wanted to play he was shrugged off. "He--is--awesome!" Looked like Mike was losing his BEST best friend. Those French fries were still being grabbed off a tray, but Mike wasn't grabbing them, Victor was. "No room for Mike." Conrad and Mike were now each other's "Worst Best Friend." When the games were being organized on the playground and sides chosen, there was a sudden unexpected change. Victor, the "me, me, me" guy, only wanted winners on his team and he wasn't about to pick Conrad the little squirt. Mike was the other captain. Big kid for one side, big kid for the other and squirts weren't picked. What was going to happen to "Not so Big" Conrad who looked like he was going to lose his new BEST best friend after dumping his old one?

This is a wonderfully rendered story about a social problem that happens all too often in schools. Children are very hurt when their friends change alliances and find new BEST best friends. This story is also a heartwarming tale of the value of true friendship and what it really means. The artwork was peppy, vibrant and complimented the storyline perfectly. This would be an excellent read and discuss book for story or circle time in any classroom setting. High five, high five . . . knuckle, knuckle . . . clap . . . this book is a winner!

Being dumped by a best friend hurts, even for a dude. The author navigates through the angst with comic gusto and classy resolution.
HIGH FIVE, HIGH FIVE, KNUCKLE, KNUCKLE, CLAP for a great story !!!

It allowed me and my daughter to review similar situations from school. It opened a nice dialog between us.