Some Friend

The book "Some Friend" by Marie Bradby takes place in Fairfax, Virginia. The year is 1963. Pearl Jordan and her family live in an African American community during the time when "Negros" weren't fully accepted. Because they are African American, their lives aren't the same as others in the country. One thing that is the same is that 11-year-old Pearl wants a friend. Pearl's first pick would be Lenore, the most popular girl in school. Lenore has her own phone, gets her hair straightened, has a big group of friends, and has her own room with a canopy bed; everything that Pearl wants. Surprisingly, Lenore is befriending Pearl and soon they are best friends. Pearl's mom doesn't approve of their friendship because Lenore is getting Pearl in trouble. Then Artemesia comes along. She is a quiet and shy girl that mainly keeps to herself. Artemesia's amazing artistic talents and way of modern dancing makes up for the fact that her family doesn't have a lot of money. Everyone in Pearl's family loves Artemesia and the fun-loving personality she has. The only problem with Pearl being friends with both Lenore and Artemesia, is that Lenore doesn't like Artemesia. One night things get out of hand. Lenore makes Artemesia cry, rips her dress, and chases her back to the apartment that her family is renting. Pearl doesn't know how to stand up to Lenore so she just watches it all go down. The next day, Pearl goes to Artemesia's apartment to apologize, but Artemesia had moved out of the town. Pearl feels really guilty about not doing anything that night, and now she can't even try to patch up the friendship because Artemesia is gone. Pearl spends the rest of the summer alone, not talking to anyone outside of her family. When school starts up again, Gee, a bully, suddenly starts to be nice to her. At first Pearl is hesitant to trust Gee but in time she learns that Gee doesn't mean any harm and really isn't that tough. Pearl has made enough mistakes with friendship in the past that she knows what to do and what not to do in a good friendship. She stands up for Gee in a fight against some of Lenore's followers, and feels good about herself. In return, Gee is a good friend to Pearl. They help each other with homework, tell each other about their plans for the future, and Gee helps Pearl celebrate her 12th birthday. Pearl Jordan has learned what it means to be a true friend. Submitted by: Seanna Yoshioka

It's 1953 in Fairfax, Virginia, and for eleven-year-old Pearl Jordan, finding a friend has always been difficult because there aren't many kids her age in the neighborhood. Along with everyone else, she wants Lenore to be her friend. Lenore gets her hair done at a salon, has her own phone, fancy bedroom and two close friends, Nadine and Ce-Ce. But Pearl can only dream about those special things since her hair is still braided and she must share a room with her older sister Diana and her pesky little sister Angela.One day, though, Pearl finally gets her wish: Lenore asks her to be her friend! She gladly accepts the offer.The friendship starts off great, but Pearl soon discovers that Lenore isn't as friendly as she seemed. She steals, pressures Pearl into doing dangerous things, and makes fun of the other kids, including Pearl's new friend Artemesia. Pearl and Artemesia have a lot in common. They like to dance and draw, and Artemesia has siblings too. Pearl soon starts getting into trouble and her mother doesn't want her to be friends with Lenore anymore, but Pearl doesn't listen.Then one night, Pearl does the unthinkable to Artemesia that may cost her their friendship. Will Artemesia forgive her? Will Pearl stop being friends with Lenore?Author Marie Bradby, through her powerful coming-of-age tale, conveys to readers how to act appropriately in life. SOME FRIEND reminds me that I should never take my friendships for granted --- because I might lose them someday. --- Reviewed by Ashley Hartlaub