30 Days to Finding and Keeping Sassy Sidekicks and BFFs: A Friendship Field Guide

Clea Hantman has created a short handbook that discusses the basics of being and finding great friends. Although the information in the book is very useful, and could be a lifesaver for a young woman who is having difficulty understanding true friendship, it does read a bit like a textbook for friendship. I was hoping for more personal stories of friends found and lost, but the book focuses on rules and codes for friendship. My favorite chapter discusses An Astute Amigo, the importance of surrounding yourself with people who may be smarter than you and talking about things that matter. This is sound advice, and young women sometimes need to hear the importance of surrounding yourself with good people who challenge you. Two other aspects of this book are the songs of the day and activities that the writer suggests to help the readers with their quest to find a worthy BFF. I really enjoy the songs the writer suggests as a way to see another perspective of friendship, but I do worry that they are a little outdated for the intended audience - only because some of them are my favorites, too. The activities that are included in the book are also a great idea. They suggest goal setting, soul searching, and creative crafting. All of these ideas are great ways to get young women to think about the future and express themselves in a new and different way. If the reader can get past the strong how-to nature of this book, it can be a very good guide to friendship. Reviewed by: LaLeesha Haynes