for the best-friends-are-growing-and-changing-and-also-ditching-each-other-or-being-ditched genre, this book is pretty good. the author is just funny. i haven't read the secret language of girls, which this is a sequel to, so i don't know how it compares. but it stands on its own okay. i'd recommend reading the secret etc first, though, because it probably gives you a clearer understanding of marylin and kate's relationship. there were two things i thought weren't done very well. one was marylin's abrupt decision to stop being a cheerleader and start being her own person, which seemed a little too glib, quick and easy. also, the boy kate sort of has a crush on- i can't recall his name- comes out seeming kind of like a jerk even though he clearly isn't supposed to be. other than that- it's really good. i love kate.
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The Kind of Friends We Used to Be
(2009, Fiction - Friendship, Written by Frances O'Roark Dowell)
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 10. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Accurate and heartwarming story about tween friendship.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 10 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About The Kind of Friends We Used to Be
Parents need to know that there isn't much to worry about here. Some parents are divorced, and there's some religious discussion, but there's nothing inappropriate.
Read our full review by Terreece Clarke
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the difference between dreaming about what will make you happy versus what will actually make you happy. Marilyn had the perfect 7th grade school year in her mind, but she finds that she's not totally happy once she begins to live her dreams. What does your perfect school year look like? Is it realistic? How does your vision fit with the friendships you currently have?
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Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
pretty good for this genre
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