The best friend bracelet

Black middle schooler Zariah runs a friendship bracelet-making business with the goal of cementing friendships with clientele via her one-of-a-kind designs. When she's asked to make a bracelet for her former best friend, Zariah is conflicted. Once inspiration strikes, however, she produces her best bracelet yet using special beads from her favorite shop--and it seems different from the rest. Zariah excitedly showcases her new piece on social media, and when the creation goes viral, students are eager to know who will receive the extravagant gift. But after a classmate touches the bracelet and suddenly insists that Zariah is her bestie, Zariah wonders if the accessory can magically turn people into her BFF. Not everyone is as entranced by her creations, though, and when her parents set an ultimatum--improve her grades or shut down her business--Zariah's growing popularity is put in jeopardy. In this sentimental and kindhearted novel, Collier (The Many Fortunes of Maya) realistically presents adolescent angst as viewed through a thoughtfully realized protagonist whose avid internal reflection--influenced by a mite of magic--will inspire readers' own path toward personal introspection. Ages 8--12. Agent: Danielle Chiotti, Upstart Crow Literary. (Oct.)

If only making a best friend were as easy as making jewelry. Zariah Brown, a Black 12-year-old, is a friendship bracelet master--the ones she makes are popular at Hurston Middle School. She's busy fulfilling bracelet orders, trying not to attract negative attention (her brother says that clumsiness is her superpower), and keeping up her straight A grades, but Zariah secretly longs for a best friend; she hasn't had one since a painful incident two years ago. It's hard to see Naomi, her former best friend, always hanging out with another classmate, Kaira. When Kaira orders a bracelet for Naomi, the despondent Zariah heads to her favorite shop, Flaming Heart, for supplies. The eccentric shop owner gifts her with a special set of beads, which Zariah later discovers will instantly make anyone her best friend. She quickly finds herself on an emotional roller coaster as she learns about the drawbacks of forced relationships and searches for the perfect best friend before an upcoming school event that's just highlighting how alone she feels. Collier shows readers the importance of being yourself and not changing just to fit in. Zariah finds herself in situations where she must decide how to proceed and whether she wants to change to blend in. Text messages with her father, who travels a lot, offer great advice for tweens. The story also touches on the effects of social media. A lightly magical story that thoughtfully explores friendship and developing a strong sense of self. (best friend bracelet profile)(Fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.