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3.5 

Goodbye Stranger

By Rebecca Stead
Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead digital book - Fable

Publisher Description

This brilliant, New York Times bestselling novel from the author of the Newbery Medal winner When You Reach Me explores multiple perspectives on the bonds and limits of friendship.
 
Long ago, best friends Bridge, Emily, and Tab made a pact: no fighting. But it’s the start of seventh grade, and everything is changing. Emily’s new curves are attracting attention, and Tab is suddenly a member of the Human Rights Club. And then there’s Bridge. She’s started wearing cat ears and is the only one who’s still tempted to draw funny cartoons on her homework.
 
It’s also the beginning of seventh grade for Sherm Russo. He wonders: what does it mean to fall for a girl—as a friend?
 
By the time Valentine’s Day approaches, the girls have begun to question the bonds—and the limits—of friendship. Can they grow up without growing apart?
 
“Sensitively explores togetherness, aloneness, betrayal and love.” —The New York Times
 
A Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Book for Fiction
Named a Best Book of the Year by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, The Guardian, NPR, and more!

357 Reviews

3.5
“super sweet read. adored bridge/tabitha/emily's friendship- a realistic portrayal of a strong friendship that somewhat changes in a new environment. sherman and bridge's blossoming friendship was probably my favorite aspect of the book. side character's were written well and did great for world-building. biggest issues were the valentine's day chapters got kind of old fast. the . overall believable plot that kept me turning the pages. bonus points for tech crew representation as a former tech crew kid myself! also: diversity. in new york city. BLESS THIS ACCURACY. will totally pick up more books by rebecca stead after this!”
“TBH, I really can't decide how much I liked this book. I mean surely at some point it had me so gripped that I couldn't keep it down. It starts off with story of Bridge. About an accident she had encountered when she was young and then we come to seventh grade following the stories of three best friends: Tab, Bridge and Emily. And then comes Sherm. And the mystery girl who isn't that big of a mystery as you come to the end. It's like when I was reading the chps for the mystery girl, all I could think about was something bad has happened like really bad. And the ending did kept me stunned. I was like - wait, what? Okay. Cool. But anyway there are really great things said in this book really suited for teenagers. I guess i picked it up and the right age or maybe if I was a bit younger, it wouldn't have made a big difference. The title actually makes sense once you have read it, it is fairly justified (and by saying this I think I writing an answer for my English paper...) So yes. I really am glad that I read it and I did love it. I am very much tempted to read it again this instance very carefully to see if I missed anything (which to be honest I think I have).”

About Rebecca Stead

REBECCA STEAD is the author of When You Reach Me, which was a New York Times bestseller and winner of the Newbery Medal and the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award for Fiction, and Liar & Spy, which was also a New York Times bestseller, won the Guardian Prize for Children’s Fiction, and was on multiple state master lists and best of the year lists. Her most recent book, Goodbye Stranger, was a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Book for Fiction and a New York Times bestseller. She is also the author of First Light, which was nominated for many state awards. She lives in New York City with her family. Visit her online at rebeccasteadbooks.com.

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