
A parent might reach for this book when their child is first navigating the confusing intersection of friendship and romantic feelings. "Totally Crushed" explores the social whirlwind that ensues when Annabel receives a Valentine's Day carnation from her best guy friend, Sam, a gesture that upsets her other best friend, Phoebe, who has a crush on him. This story gently unpacks themes of friendship loyalty, jealousy, and the anxiety of miscommunication. It's a light, relatable, and age-appropriate read for tweens (9-12) that normalizes the messy, awkward, and often humorous moments of early crushes, providing a safe space to see these common dramas play out.
The primary focus is on the emotional turmoil of a middle school love triangle. The approach is direct but gentle, centering on the characters' feelings of jealousy, anxiety, and confusion. It is a secular story. The resolution is hopeful and prioritizes the restoration of friendship, reinforcing that these relationships can endure the complications of crushes.
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Sign in to write a reviewThis book is perfect for a 9 to 12-year-old who is beginning to experience the social shifts that come with crushes. They might be navigating their first crush, feeling jealous of a friend, or confused about how to act when a friend expresses romantic interest in them. This reader needs a story that validates their feelings of anxiety and awkwardness in a low-stakes, relatable context.
No specific preparation is needed. The book's content is very mild and can be read cold. The scenarios are typical middle-grade social dynamics. A parent might use it to open a conversation about their own experiences with crushes and friendship drama at that age. A parent has just heard their child express anxiety about a social situation at school involving a crush, such as, "My best friend likes the same boy I do," or "My friend thinks I like him, but I don't, and now it's weird." The child might seem withdrawn or upset after a school event like a dance or Valentine's Day.
A younger reader (9-10) will likely focus on the plot mechanics of the friendship drama: the secret, the betrayal, and the fairness of the situation. An older reader (11-12) will connect more deeply with Annabel's internal conflict, the nuances of social pressure, and the awkwardness of navigating romantic interest while trying to maintain platonic friendships.
Compared to many middle-grade books about romance, this one is exceptionally light and serves as a perfect entry point. Its primary focus isn't the romance itself but the ripple effect a crush has on a pre-existing, stable friendship group. The Valentine's Day carnation plot device provides a clear and simple catalyst for the conflict, making the complex emotions easy for younger readers to grasp.
On Valentine's Day, Annabel is excited to receive a red carnation, signifying a crush, at her locker. Her excitement turns to panic when she realizes it's from her best friend, Sam, whom she doesn't like romantically. The situation is complicated by the fact that her best girlfriend, Phoebe, has a major crush on Sam. The book follows Annabel as she navigates the resulting jealousy, miscommunication, and loyalty tests within her friend group, trying to preserve her friendships without hurting anyone's feelings.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
