Goodbye Stranger

Author: Rebecca Stead
Genre: Realistic fiction
Published: 2015


Rebecca Stead is one of my favorite authors; she's also written the Newbery-medal-winning When You Reach Me, Liar and Spy, First Light, Bob (with Wendy Mass), and, most recently, The List of Things That Will Not Change (published April 7, 2020! I stayed up all night reading it.) Here's the little teaser, (for want of a better word...seriously, what are those called?) from the inside cover of my copy.

"You must have been put on this earth for a reason, little girl."

Bridge is an accident survivor who's wondering why she's still alive.

Emily has new curves and an almost-boyfriend who wants a certain kind of picture.

Tabitha sees through everybody's games. Or so she tells the world. 

They're best friends with one rule: No fighting. Can it get them through seventh grade?

"Somewhere there's a universe in which you never left."

Everything is different for Sherm Russo this year. When he gets to know Bridge Barsamian, he wonders: what does it mean to fall for a girl--as a friend?

 White carnations for friendship. Pink for like. Red for love.

On Valentine's Day, an unnamed high school girl struggles with betrayal. How long can she hide in plain sight?

There are probably hundreds of books about middle school friendships in which one kid decides they're too cool for the rest and goes off to find more popular friends. I've read loads of those books myself, and I like them, but I like this book because of the girls' tight friendship. They have no borders. It's awesome. This post is for my friends! I love you guys!

Image from: https://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Stranger-Rebecca-Stead/dp/0307980863