From Publishers Weekly Perkins's (Home Lovely) first novel is a lively coming-of-age story filled with touching moments. The penciled illustrations, scribbled in between the narrative, resemble classic doodles of the junior high English notebook variety, and give 13-year-old narrator Debbie immediate credibility. The book chronicles eight months from the time when Debbie's best friend since third grade, Maureen, starts spending all her time with another classmate, Glenna. Debbie is devastated by the loss ("I felt off-balance, as if someone kept borrowing my right foot for a few minutes"). But as she gets to know a neglected neighbor girl, she realizes how many people love her: her parents, teachers and eventually, a few new friends. And she learns that as a person who is cared for, she must watch out for others who are not so fortunate. While there's not a lot of plot here, it's Debbie's fresh voice, perceptive observations and occasionally mean-spirited asides that will win readers over. Recalling Glenna's hold on Maureen, for instance, Debbie says, "I guess I hoped that she would evaporate.... But she seems to have congealed, like cold gravy and then cement." Readers will be caught up in Debbie's thoughts from the first page and cheer her hard-won breakthroughs. Ages 10-up. (Oct.) Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. From School Library Journal Gr 4-8-Debbie feels that she is "all alone in the universe," when her best friend Maureen suddenly starts spending all her time with their classmate, Glenna. As Debbie mourns her changing relationship with Maureen, she slowly begins the process of forming new friendships. This touching story by Lynne Rae Perkins (Greenwillow, 1999) of friendships lost and made, told through Debbie's first person point of view, is deftly narrated by actress Hope Davis. Davis believably portrays Debbie's confusion, sadness, and general moping about. The only downside to this audiobook is that listeners don't see the appealing illustrations by the author that appear in the book . This excellent audio version will appeal to upper elementary and middle school girls.
