The Friendship Experiment

Full of great information on Von Willebrand disease, a common but often unfamiliar bleeding disorder, and lab procedures and safety, including how to prepare and safely handle petri dishes. Encourages curiosity, scientific inquiry, and practical thinking.

Maddie is prickly toward her best friend and her classmates, but it's a defensive posture: She's deeply wounded by the double-whammy of losing her grandfather and the possibility of losing her best friend. She recognizes when she's being mean and feels remorseful. When it's clear she's hurt the feelings of people who tried to treat her kindly, she owns up to her actions and takes steps to try to repair the damage. Maddie and her older sister, Brooke, bicker and fight, but Brooke patiently helps Maddie when she suffers a nosebleed. A classmate goes out of his way to show consideration and kindness, recruiting peers to help. Maddie's parents and grandmother are deeply involved parents, but not above feeling frustrated with Maddie's behavior. There's a strong sense of family connection, and an affectionate relationship with a neighbor.

Mild tween romantic interest.

Brief mention of Jell-O.