Friends for Life

by Andrew Norriss

Overview

A timeless and uplifting book about friendship, filled with humor and heart.

When Jessica sits next to Francis on a bench during recess, he's surprised to learn that she isn't actually alive--she's a ghost. And she's surprised, too, because Francis is the first person who has been able to see her since she died. Before long, Francis and Jessica are best friends, enjoying life more than they ever have. When they meet two more friends who can also see Jessica, the question arises: What is it that they have in common? And does it have something to do with Jessica being a ghost?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545860291
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	08/25/2015
Sold by:	Scholastic, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
Lexile:	880L (what's this?)
File size:	7 MB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Andrew Norriss is the Whitbread Award-winning author of Aquila (Puffin, 1997). He taught English for ten years before becoming a full-time writer. He has created and co-written several successful British sitcoms, including a few adaptations of his children's books. He lives in Hampshire, England. Visit him online at www.andrewnorriss.co.uk

Read an Excerpt

From FRIENDS FOR LIFE:Francis had not wanted company, but he was curious. Why had she come across the field to sit beside him? Why had she not spoken? And why was she apparently immune to the cold?"You might want some of this," he said, holding out his mug. "It's only tea, but it's warm."The girl turned to face him, then turned her head in the opposite direction, as if to see who he was talking to. When she realized there was nobody else, and that he must have been talking to her, a look of shocked surprise crossed her face."Are you . . . are you talking to me?" she asked."Sorry." Francis withdrew the offered mug. "Won't happen again.""You can hear me as well?""Yes," said Francis. "Sorry about that, too."The girl frowned. "But nobody can see me! Or hear me!""Can't they?""Unless . . ." The girl peered at him intently. "You're not dead as well, are you?""I don't think so.""I don't understand . . ." The girl was still staring at him."You're . . . um . . . you're dead yourself, are you?" Francis tried to keep a casual tone in his voice as he packed his thermos into his bag."What? Oh . . . yes." As if to illustrate her point, the girl lifted an arm and ran it through the planks that made up the back of the bench as if they had no more substance than smoke. "But I don't understand why you can see me. I mean . . . nobody can!"

Editorial Reviews

★ 05/18/2015
When Jessica sits on a bench beside a quiet boy named Francis, she is shocked when he offers her tea. This is because Francis is the first person who has been able to see or hear her in the year since she died. Francis’s interest in fashion has made him a pariah at school, so any friend—even a ghost—is welcome. The two immediately bond and get another surprise when Andi, a new student whose aggressive tendencies have isolated her, can see Jessica, too. Three becomes four when Roland, an outcast because of his weight, also sees Jessica. The question of why Jessica has lingered on Earth remains, and the novel shifts from a gentle friendship story to one about depression and suicide as the truth becomes clear. Norriss (I Don’t Believe It, Archie!) has written a sensitive novel that illustrates how easy it is to feel alone, the ways differences can be isolating, and the power of friendship and connection. This memorable story will leave readers thinking about how small actions can have a significant impact. Ages 8–12. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for Friends for Life:



A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2015



* "Norriss (I Don't Believe It, Archie!) has written a sensitive novel that illustrates how easy it is to feel alone, the ways differences can be isolating, and the power of friendship and connection. This memorable story will leave readers thinking about how small actions can have a significant impact." --Publishers Weekly, starred review



"[A] simple, quiet story about the effects of bullying and the power of friendship." --Booklist



"Without shying away from the bullying, clinical depression, and deep despair ('The Pit') that affect his young characters, Norriss employs a sensitive and light touch, balancing moments of sadness and pathos with others of joy and humor." --Horn Book



"This British import will resonate with readers long after they finish the final page." --SLC



"An appealing afterlife account with an important message." --Kirkus Reviews



"This is a creative approach to a serious subject; Norriss provides a touching, accessible, and ultimately hopeful portrayal of depression that will feel ringingly true to young readers who have spent time in their own 'Pit'." --BCCB

From the Publisher

07/01/2015
Gr 5 Up—Francis, a middle school student, is sitting by himself on a bench during lunch. He wants to be alone and seldom speaks to anyone in school. Out of nowhere, a young girl, Jessica, appears wearing a sleeveless dress in the freezing February weather. He offers her warm tea, and she is more than a little startled because she, too, has not communicated with anyone for a very long time—a year, in fact. Jessica is a ghost, and Francis is the first live person able to see and talk to her. Thus begins an unusual friendship of a lonely boy and a sympathetic ghost. But it doesn't end there. Jessica and Francis go ahead and befriend two more lonely souls, Andi and Roland, and the four become inseparable. The adolescents are linked by their painful experiences and their mutual thoughts of suicide. Each person's situation is a bit different; Francis is teased because he likes to design and sew girls' clothes; Andi looks masculine and is quick to punch anyone, boy or girl, who makes comments; while Roland is grossly overweight and bullied. The friends make it their mission to discover why Jessica is still roaming the world of the living. Norriss has a keen eye for well-meaning adults who are nevertheless powerless to prevent possible tragedies. In the course of the book, Norriss provides some positive suggestions that a suicidal or depressed youngster may pick up on. VERDICT This novel deals with the subjects of suicide and depression among young teens and should be available in middle school classrooms and libraries.—Lillian Hecker, Town of Pelham Public Library, NY

School Library Journal

2015-04-29
A phantom friend makes a life-changing difference in the lives of three English middle schoolers. Bullied at their schools and depressed by their differences, Francis', Andi's, and Roland's lives change when they meet Jessica, a ghost still stuck in the everyday. Francis is seriously interested in fashion and design; he's a gifted seamster. Body-building Andi has a black belt in karate; she's short, squat, and looks like a boy. Video gamer Roland is huge and hugely fat. As an omniscient narrator, Norriss adroitly brings these kids together, gradually reveals what they have in common, and demonstrates the power of friendship. Readers will be sucked into the story by their admiration of Jessica, who can move through walls, appear wherever she wants (during the day), and change her clothing to match anything she sees and likes. By the time the idea of suicide is addressed directly, they'll be thoroughly engaged. Even the addition of an adult character, a counselor who knows the right things to say and do to talk a fourth young teen down from a high wall, doesn't interrupt the flow of this well-crafted friendship story. Bullying and clinical depression go together often enough to make this title useful for book discussions as well as private readings. First published in England as Jessica's Ghost, this will be equally relevant to American readers. An appealing afterlife account with an important message. (Fiction. 10-15)

Kirkus Reviews