Toney’s novel is a great story for middle school students, especially those struggling to find a social niche. Because Wendy has made progress toward being the best version of herself – friendly and less self-focused – it’s easy to hope that the other issues in her life will find their own resolutions, too. The same way that life doesn’t reach neatly finished moments, the story resolves with some unfinished conflict. She begins to empathize with them as she learns who they really are, despite the fact that they’d picked on her in the past. She discovers some of the students who relentlessly pick on her have dark secrets of their own.

She also learns that her classmates lives aren’t what they seem. It sounds simple and obvious, but as I read it I thought, you know, I wish someone had broken this down for me as a seventh grader. She breaks down the process of making a friend into simple steps and commits to following those steps. When even her best friend takes a jab at Wendy, she decides it’s time to make some changes. I loved the little notes she receives and how those affected her. Wendy struggles to find value in herself while her classmates often undermine that journey. This story delves into the anxiety and excitement of middle school, brought to life by a charming narrator. She tries changing who she is, hoping it will be enough put the taunting behind her. Who could the notes be from? A cute boy perhaps? When the nasty comments continue to wear her down, Wendy is forced to take drastic measures.

What can she expect when even her own father barely takes an interest in her life? Mysterious notes from “AFREND” help Wendy see there’s still hope. Published SeptemAmazon | Barnes & Noble | GoodreadsĪ cruel comment from a classmate sends thirteen year-old Wendy into a spiral of self-doubt.

Bird Face by Cynthia T. Toney