Some Friend

This historical fiction chapter book introduces Pearl, an 11-year-old African American girl living in Fairfax, Virginia, in 1963. The story centers on her journey to understand the true meaning of friendship. Pearl finds herself caught between the allure of the popular but untrustworthy Lenore and the genuine, albeit less glamorous, companionship of Artemesia, a new, poorer girl in the neighborhood. It's a poignant exploration of social dynamics, trust, and self-discovery set against the backdrop of a pivotal era in American history, offering rich opportunities for discussion about empathy, social class, and identity.

In 1963, Pearl, an eleven-year-old black girl in Fairfax, Virginia, learns about the real nature of friendship from the popular but untrustworthy Lenore, and Artemesia, a poor girl who moves into the neighborhood for a brief time.