For the child navigating the ups and downs of a close friendship and discovering their own voice. This heartfelt story explores loyalty, growth, and the sweetness of connection.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is navigating an intense friendship, especially if they tend to be the quieter 'follower' and are struggling to find their own voice. Honey and Me is a gentle, heartfelt story about Milla, a quiet sixth-grader, and her bold, impulsive best friend, Honey. Set in a warm Orthodox Jewish community, the book explores the joys and challenges of their friendship, which is tested when a school competition leads to a difficult choice. It beautifully handles themes of loyalty, honesty, and self-confidence, making it perfect for kids learning to balance being a good friend with being true to themselves.
The book's setting in an Orthodox Jewish community is central. The approach is direct and immersive, not metaphorical. Religious practices (Shabbat, kosher laws, prayer) are presented as a normal part of everyday life. This is handled from an insider's perspective, making it feel authentic and accessible. The central conflict revolves around cheating and lying, which is resolved in a hopeful and realistic way, with accountability and forgiveness strengthening the friendship.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a 9 to 11-year-old who is deeply invested in a best friendship. It is especially suited for a child who tends to be the more quiet or accommodating partner in a friendship and is beginning to feel the need to assert their own values and opinions, but is afraid of causing conflict or losing their friend.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold. The core emotional story is universal. For families unfamiliar with Judaism, some terms (like Maccabiah, Shabbat, kashrut) might be new, but the author provides sufficient context within the story. A parent might just anticipate some curiosity and questions about the cultural and religious practices depicted. A parent has just heard their child say something like, "But [friend's name] wanted to do it, so I had to!" or has seen their child consistently go along with a friend's questionable idea. The parent is worried their child is losing their own sense of self within a powerful friendship and wants to open a conversation about it.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will connect with the friendship story, the fun of the school competition, and the clear moral dilemma of cheating. An older reader (10-12) will appreciate the more nuanced internal journey of Milla finding her voice, the complexity of being loyal to a friend while being true to yourself, and the realistic depiction of repairing a friendship after a significant rupture.
What Makes It Special
What makes this book unique is its incredibly warm and gentle tone combined with its specific, immersive setting in a modern Orthodox Jewish community. Unlike many middle-grade friendship stories that rely on high drama, this book focuses on the quiet, internal growth of its protagonist. It's a wonderful "window" book that feels both culturally specific and universally relatable.
Read plot summary
Milla and Honey are inseparable best friends in sixth grade at an Orthodox Jewish day school. Milla is cautious and quiet, while Honey is bold and adventurous. Their friendship is tested during the school's annual Maccabiah (color war) competition when Honey's fierce desire to win leads her to cheat. Milla must grapple with her loyalty to her friend versus her own conscience, ultimately finding the courage to speak up and define her own identity separate from Honey. The story is a warm exploration of friendship, honesty, and finding one's voice, all set against the richly detailed backdrop of a modern religious community.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
When Honey cheats during the Maccabiah, Milla gets a 'squirmy feeling'. What do you think that feeling was telling her? Have you ever had a feeling like that, and was it hard to listen to it?
2
Milla worries that if she tells the truth about the cheating, she will lose Honey's friendship. Why is it so scary to disagree with a close friend? Do you think their friendship is stronger or weaker at the end of the book?
3
At the start, Milla often lets Honey make all the decisions. By the end, Milla speaks up for herself more. What are some of the small moments that helped Milla find her voice?
4
After Milla tells the truth, Honey is very angry. How do the two friends eventually find their way back to each other? What does their story teach us about forgiveness and repairing a friendship?
