Friend Me

Friend Me is a middle-grade thriller about bullying, revenge, and technology that young readers won't be able to put down. It follows Roisin, who moves from Ireland to Massachusetts and is bullied by Zara, a school bully. She then bonds with Haley online, but when Zara has a painful accident, police investigate, and Roisin panics. She wants Haley to delete their messages, but when she tries to meet her in person, she can't find her.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 05 November 2020
Publisher: Scholastic US

When an online friend becomes a real-life nightmare, it can be a devastating and terrifying experience. In the case of Roisin, she had not made a single friend since moving from Ireland to Massachusetts, and her life was filled with constant abuse from a school bully named Zara. Zara tormented Roisin in person and on social media, making her the laughingstock of the whole school. Roisin felt utterly alone and helpless, until she bonded with Haley online.

Haley was a smart, strong, and supportive friend who shared anti-mean-girl memes that made Roisin laugh and helped her imagine what life could look like without Zara's torment. Haley quickly became Roisin's lifeline, providing her with a sense of comfort and companionship that she had never experienced before.

However, everything changed when Zara had a painful accident, and the police began to investigate. Roisin panicked, fearing that her chats with Haley could look incriminating and that her best friend had lied to her. She tried to convince Haley to delete their messages, but when she tried to meet Haley in person, she couldn't find her anywhere.

Roisin was confused and scared, not knowing what was going on. Her best friend would never have lied to her, right? Or was Haley not who she said she was? With twists, turns, and lightning-fast pacing, this is a middle-grade thriller about bullying, revenge, and technology that young readers won't be able to put down.

Friend Me is a heart-racing escalation from toxic teen power play and the dangers of social media to a darkly searing near-future thriller. It is a stunning debut from author Elizabeth Wein, who has been praised for her ability to create complex and compelling characters and storylines.

In Friend Me, Roisin is a relatable and sympathetic character who has been dealt a terrible hand by life. She is a talented artist who loves to draw and paint, but Zara's bullying has made her feel like she doesn't belong anywhere. Haley, on the other hand, is a kind and supportive friend who understands Roisin's pain and offers her a lifeline of friendship and support.

As the story unfolds, Roisin and Haley's friendship grows stronger, and they begin to imagine what life could look like without Zara's torment. They share their dreams and aspirations, and Roisin finds solace in Haley's presence. However, as the police investigation intensifies, Roisin begins to question whether Haley is truly who she says she is.

Friend Me is a powerful and thought-provoking story that explores the dark side of social media and the impact it can have on young people. It raises important questions about bullying, friendship, and trust, and it encourages young readers to think critically about the online world and the people they interact with.

One of the strengths of Friend Me is its portrayal of the characters. Roisin is a well-developed and relatable character who readers will empathize with. She is a talented artist who has been pushed to her limits by Zara's bullying, but she never loses her sense of self or her determination to fight back. Haley, on the other hand, is a complex and enigmatic character who is both supportive and mysterious.

The story is also well-paced, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers engaged. The plot is carefully crafted, and the author uses a variety of techniques to keep the reader guessing. From the use of social media to the investigation into Zara's accident, there are many layers to the story that will keep readers hooked until the very end.

In conclusion, Friend Me is a must-read for young readers who are interested in middle-grade thrillers. It is a powerful and thought-provoking story that explores the dark side of social media and the impact it can have on young people. With its well-developed characters, engaging plot, and thought-provoking themes, Friend Me is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers of all ages.

Weight: 358g
Dimension: 148 x 216 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781338618082