About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is facing a major transition, specifically saying goodbye to a close friend who is moving away. It provides a remarkably honest look at the messy, sometimes ugly feelings that come with loss, from the initial denial and anger to the eventual bittersweet acceptance. Paula Danziger captures the authentic voice of a third grader who is not just sad, but also frustrated and resentful that her world is changing without her consent. Parents will appreciate how the story validates that it is okay to be 'not okay' and that true friendship can survive even when the miles between friends grow. It is a perfect choice for children aged 7 to 10 who are navigating the complexities of school-age social dynamics and the pain of life changes beyond their control.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
DISTRESS: The scene where Amber and Justin get into a heated argument and stop speaking can be emotionally heavy for sensitive children who fear social conflict. There is also a poignant moment where Justin throws his 'moving' box in the trash, which may distress children who are currently experiencing the upheaval of a move.
Ideal Reader
A 7-to-9-year-old who feels 'powerless' over adult decisions like moving or school changes, or a child who expresses their sadness through irritability and needs to see that behavior modeled and resolved.
Parent Prep
Read the chapter where they have their big classroom fight ahead of time to help your child navigate the transition from 'best friends' to 'enemies' back to 'friends.' A child acting out, being 'difficult,' or picking fights with those they love most because they don't know how to say they are scared.
Age Experience
Younger readers (7-8) will focus on the humor and the 'gross' school elements; older readers (9-10) will deeply feel the nuances of Amber's loneliness and will resonate with Amber's feelings regarding the changes in her household and her father's absence.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many 'moving' books that focus on the new house, this focuses entirely on the emotional disintegration and reintegration of the friendship left behind.
Read plot summary
Amber Brown and Justin Daniels have been best friends since preschool. They share everything, from Oreos to a special workspace in their third-grade classroom. When Justin's father gets a new job and his family prepares to move from New Jersey to Alabama, the duo's relationship is pushed to the brink. Instead of a sentimental goodbye, the stress manifests as petty arguments and a period of 'the silent treatment.' The story follows Amber as she processes her grief through art, humor, and a very relatable blow-up with Justin, eventually leading to a heartfelt reconciliation before he leaves. Amber also navigates the reality of her parents' divorce and her father living in France, which adds another layer to her understanding of long-distance relationships.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Why do you think Amber and Justin started acting mean to each other when they found out he was moving?
2
Amber uses a 'traveling' metaphor in class with a special passport. How does imagining a trip help her deal with real life?
3
Justin throws his work in the trash because he's frustrated. Have you ever felt like throwing something away because you were upset about a change?
4
How do Amber and Justin eventually make up, and what does that tell us about what makes a 'best' friend?
5
If you had to move to a different state, what three things would you miss the most about your current life?
