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    Penny Draws a Best Friend

    Part of Penny Draws

    Author Sara Shepard
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    Hardcover
    $14.99 US
    Penguin Young Readers | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
    On sale May 16, 2023 | 272 Pages | 9780593616772
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    A humorous, heartfelt, highly illustrated middle grade series about friendship, feelings, and finding your people, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Sara Shepard.

    Why does the cubby room always smell like farts?

    Why is my mom suddenly acting like she has a secret?

    And why did my best friend, Violet, ditch me for the most popular—and meanest—girl in school?

    These are just some of the things fifth grader and budding artist Penny Lowry wonders—and, okay, worries—about, all of which she chronicles in the journal she writes to her dog, Cosmo.

    Because let’s be honest, there’s a lot to be worried about in fifth grade—and even more to laugh about!
    © Danielle Shields
    Sara Shepard is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Pretty Little Liars series, The Lying Game series, The Heiresses, The Elizas, The Perfectionists series, and Reputation. She is also the author of the Penny Draws series for middle grade readers. View titles by Sara Shepard
    Praise for Penny Draws a Best Friend:
    A Junior Library Guild Selection
    A Good Housekeeping Kids’ Book Awards Selection
    A Florida Sunshine State Young Readers Award Selection

    “Uses humor and relatability to address big topics like mental health and anxiety in an approachable and tween-friendly way . . . Perfect for fans of graphic novels like Smile, Click, and the Dork Diaries series.” —Brightly

    “Shepard’s light touch and sketchbook-style b&w doodles make for an engaging read that candidly portrays the effect of destabilizing changes on one child experiencing anxiety.” —Publishers Weekly

    “Imbued with humor, colorful characters, and the perilous dilemmas of childhood . . . Shepard carefully and successfully walks a tightrope in her treatment of Penny’s worries by validating her feelings while suggesting that they should not be the only thing that guide her actions and choices. The epistolic format and the quirky, lovable main character will appeal to fans of Rachel Renée Russell’s Dork Diaries and Svetlana Chmakova’s Brave.” —The Bureau of the Center for Children's Books

    “A bright and emotionally accessible story full of wit and warmth.” —Kirkus Reviews

    “Readers will likely relate to [Penny's] concerns . . . This new series comes straight from the heart.” —Booklist

    “A great new series to help new middle graders figure out and process their new world.” —Book Riot

    “Fantastically fun, funny, and heartfelt. I loved it.” —Max Brallier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Kids on Earth series
     
    “Perfectly captures the hilarity, anxiety, and silliness of being a kid. A charming, zippy read that will keep you smiling all book long.” —Melissa de la Cruz, New York Times bestselling author of Disney’s Descendants series
     
    “Heartfelt and oh-so funny—an utterly charming read that’s perfect for any kid who’s ever had a worry, or who simply loves to laugh.” —Sarah Mlynowski, New York Times bestselling author of the Whatever After series
     
    “Like the worries in Penny’s head, drama and hilarity run amok in this sweet, relatable, and engaging story.” —Terri Libenson, New York Times bestselling author of the Emmie & Friends series
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    About

    A humorous, heartfelt, highly illustrated middle grade series about friendship, feelings, and finding your people, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Sara Shepard.

    Why does the cubby room always smell like farts?

    Why is my mom suddenly acting like she has a secret?

    And why did my best friend, Violet, ditch me for the most popular—and meanest—girl in school?

    These are just some of the things fifth grader and budding artist Penny Lowry wonders—and, okay, worries—about, all of which she chronicles in the journal she writes to her dog, Cosmo.

    Because let’s be honest, there’s a lot to be worried about in fifth grade—and even more to laugh about!

    Author

    © Danielle Shields
    Sara Shepard is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Pretty Little Liars series, The Lying Game series, The Heiresses, The Elizas, The Perfectionists series, and Reputation. She is also the author of the Penny Draws series for middle grade readers. View titles by Sara Shepard

    Praise

    Praise for Penny Draws a Best Friend:
    A Junior Library Guild Selection
    A Good Housekeeping Kids’ Book Awards Selection
    A Florida Sunshine State Young Readers Award Selection

    “Uses humor and relatability to address big topics like mental health and anxiety in an approachable and tween-friendly way . . . Perfect for fans of graphic novels like Smile, Click, and the Dork Diaries series.” —Brightly

    “Shepard’s light touch and sketchbook-style b&w doodles make for an engaging read that candidly portrays the effect of destabilizing changes on one child experiencing anxiety.” —Publishers Weekly

    “Imbued with humor, colorful characters, and the perilous dilemmas of childhood . . . Shepard carefully and successfully walks a tightrope in her treatment of Penny’s worries by validating her feelings while suggesting that they should not be the only thing that guide her actions and choices. The epistolic format and the quirky, lovable main character will appeal to fans of Rachel Renée Russell’s Dork Diaries and Svetlana Chmakova’s Brave.” —The Bureau of the Center for Children's Books

    “A bright and emotionally accessible story full of wit and warmth.” —Kirkus Reviews

    “Readers will likely relate to [Penny's] concerns . . . This new series comes straight from the heart.” —Booklist

    “A great new series to help new middle graders figure out and process their new world.” —Book Riot

    “Fantastically fun, funny, and heartfelt. I loved it.” —Max Brallier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Kids on Earth series
     
    “Perfectly captures the hilarity, anxiety, and silliness of being a kid. A charming, zippy read that will keep you smiling all book long.” —Melissa de la Cruz, New York Times bestselling author of Disney’s Descendants series
     
    “Heartfelt and oh-so funny—an utterly charming read that’s perfect for any kid who’s ever had a worry, or who simply loves to laugh.” —Sarah Mlynowski, New York Times bestselling author of the Whatever After series
     
    “Like the worries in Penny’s head, drama and hilarity run amok in this sweet, relatable, and engaging story.” —Terri Libenson, New York Times bestselling author of the Emmie & Friends series

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