Booktalk for "The Kind of Friends We Used to Be"

The Kind of Friends We Used to Be

Connections to Past Resources:

By Frances O'roark Dowell

This book is like a book we all have read this year, "A Separate Peace." In that book, two guys, who used to be close friends, can't find a way to be friends again. That is the same conflict in this book. It also has the same subject as another book I have read this summer, "Deep Down Popular."

Major Characters:

The major characters in this book are Kate Faber and Marylin McIntosh. The other important, but not major, characters are Mazie Calloway, Rhetta Mayes, and Matthew Holler. Kate and Marylin used to be best friends, and now barely talk to each other. Mazie is the most popular girl and cheerleader in school. Rhetta is the new girl in school that teaches Marylin what true friends are and that there is more to life than being popular. Matthew becomes Kate's "guitar buddy" and basically "best

friend".

Recommendations:

I recommend this book to girls who like realistic fiction books. I also recommend it to a close friend of mine from my old school. I know she would like this book because her and I read the same type of genres. I don't know everyone's book type in middle school, but I'm sure there is at least one girl here who would enjoy this marvelous book.

Why I chose this selection?

"Big" Conflict:

Lessons I have Learned:

Summary:

I chose this selection because I felt that I could relate to it in past experiences. I delt with the same things that the major characters went through. I also chose this book because my friend recommended it to me last year, and I never found the time to read it.

There are many important conflicts in this story, but the most important is between Kate and Marylin. Their conflict also leads into a conflict with Mazie and Marylin, and one with Kate and Matthew. The main reason for Marylin and Kate's conflict was because Marylin wanted to be a cheerleader, and Kate wanted to play guitar. Neither of them like what the other one wants to do. Since they never hang out as much like before, Marylin and Mazie start to hang out and become "best cheerleading friends". Also Kate starts to hang out with Matthew, which causes problems between her and her other "lunch friends".

Marylin and Kate used to be the closest of friends, but lately they can't find much in common. Kate is suddenly into guitars, songwriting, and combat boots. Marylin is on the cheerleading squad and is friends with Mazie. As the school year progresses the two old friends head off in different directions, neither approving of the other's path. But the two girls come together when Marylin decides to run for Student Government Representative and Kate becomes her campaign manager, which is not approved by Mazie. The more they are together, the more they wonder if their friendship can ever go back to what it used to be.

From this book, I have learned many important lessons. One lesson I have learned is that you can be friends with anyone you want if you set your mind to it and if you try to make it work. Another lesson I have learned is to not let anyone boss you around, especially mean, obnoxious girls, like Mazie. Finally I have learned that true friends are the ones that stick by you no matter what happens, and they are the ones that will always be there for you no matter what.