Book Review: Beacon Street Girls: Worst Enemies/Best Friends
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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this first book in the
Beacon Street Girls series is about four very different
middle school girls who are forced to learn more about one
another and end up becoming the closest of friends. Issues
related to diversity, learning differences, first crushes on
boys, health and body changes, and awkward relationships with
parents and siblings are all dealt with. Even though the
plotline is a bit formulaic and the dialogue is unrealistic at
times, the main message -- to live happily by accepting
differences and working cooperatively with others -- is one
that all parents will want their tween readers to glean.
Families can talk about the girls' varied backgrounds/interests and how they learn from one another. What does each girl bring to the club that's unique? What is the common thread pulling them together? Parents can also point out how these girls don't have any socio-economic stressors (no one has an after-school job or parents with financial hardships) -- is that the case with the kids you know? What additional challenges do you think the girls would face in those circumstances? Families can also talk about the girls' journal-writing assignments. Do you think it helped them better understand themselves, their new friends, or both?
Common Sense Media Review
Being the new kid in class, living with a learning
difference, getting compared constantly to older siblings,
adoption from another country -- all of these are relatable
experiences that provide colorful backdrops for seventh graders
Charlotte, Maeve, Katani, and Avery.
THE BEACON STREET GIRLS: WORST ENEMIES/BEST FRIENDS is about adolescent girls with issues who are misread by peers and find the courage to be honest -- and the joy of reciprocal tween friendships.
The success of this story is in the character development -- these girls are quirky and fun to get to know -- more than the plotline, though it's very readable. But at times the girls are too good to be true, clearly without socio-economic pressures and time-consuming responsibilities at home.
Though they have their moments of cattiness, the girls also have the maturity to respect and understand one another's challenges, most likely because they have meaningful adults providing models of responsive listening, caring, and activism. Parents can offer this book to tweens knowing that they'll learn more about living cooperatively and respectfully with others.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
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