Friction by E.R. Frank

Year Published: 2003
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 0689853858
Pages: 197
Classification: Fiction
Media Type: Book
Interest Level: 7-12
Reading Level: 4
Subjects: Coming of age, Child sexual abuse, Teacher-student relationship, Fiction

Reader's Annotation: When a new girl at the private school Alex attends starts rumors about Alex's favorite teacher, Alex and her eighth-grade classmates are not sure how to act around him or with each other.

Summary: Forest Alternative school is the ideal school for Alex. She is comfortable with her classmates and friends. She also looks forward to school because of her inspiring teacher and coach, Simon. Everything changes when the new girl, Stacy. Stacy misinterprets the kindness of Simon towards Alex and spreads rumors about Simon. The rumor escalates until Simon looses his job in the Alternative school. Alex finds out the truth about Stacy and her family. She also learns to discern what is right from wrong as she writes her letter to Simon.

Reviews and Awards: ALA Best Book For Young Adults, ALA Booklist, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal Starred Review, Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews, Voice of Youth Advocates, Wilson's Junior High Catalog