How come Violet is suddenly not into drawing? Who etched the words ‘I Am Bug Man’ inside my desk? Why is Mom suddenly acting like she has a secret?
Nobody said starting the last year of primary school would be easy, and Penny Lowry’s anxiety means a million questions are always spinning through her thoughts. Luckily she’s got a lot to look forward to, like her favourite after-school activity, Art Club, and seeing her best friend Violet again after spending the whole summer apart.
The thing is, Violet has been acting weird ever since she got back. She never wants to hang out anymore, she says Art Club is for babies, and she spends all her time with Riley, the meanest girl in school. Did Penny do something wrong? And if she did, can she undo it?
You probably know Sara Shepard as the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Pretty Little Liars series – at this stage, she’s well and truly a household name. I’m sure Shepard’s fans will be thrilled to see her switching things up to engage a younger audience – and she has absolutely nailed the tone in this middle-grade debut.
Penny Draws a Best Friend is equal parts funny, quirky and poignant. Penny is a wonderfully smart, imaginative and sincere narrator-protagonist, with a unique voice that is sure to win the hearts of young readers. She is also highly relatable, with her tendency to let her brilliant imagination spiral into anxious rumination.
Shepard has given kids – and particularly less confident readers – lots of ways into this story. Each page is richly illustrated with the most adorably offbeat doodles, drawn by Shepard herself, which give it a comic-book-like feel that’ll get readers fully immersed in Penny’s POV. Adding another hook, each chapter is written as a letter to Cosmo, Penny’s beloved pet dog, which, again, gives readers a sense of direct access to Penny’s narration.
Very cleverly, Shepard has managed to sneak in a range of healthy coping strategies that kids experiencing anxiety will be able to pick up and try themselves without even realising it! Things like drawing how you’re feeling, writing a letter to yourself (or your dog) about your worries, and talking to a trusted adult are all modelled by Penny as she navigates her own challenges.
This is a sweet, tender and funny introduction to a lovable kid figuring out how to manage her anxiety. The story gets to the heart of how to let go of the friends who aren’t right for you – and how to make room for the ones who are. With another installment on its way, I have no doubt the Penny Draws series is going to be a huge hit with this generation of kids – think Diary of a Wimpy Kid-level success. This is a must-read for ages 10+.
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