The Best Friend Bracelet is a warm and funny friendship story with a little magic mixed in.

Seventh grader Zariah Brown wants a best friend. She used to have one, but Naomi found another bestie last year. Zariah feels awful about it, especially since she makes personalized friendship bracelets for her classmates. It’s a great side business, and her bracelets are in high demand. But, it only reminds Zariah that she doesn’t have a best friend of her own.

When Zariah gets a special bead from a mysterious woman, her bracelet turns magical. Now, whoever she gives the bracelet to will automatically become her best friend. That’s not as easy as it sounds, and middle school drama ensues.

Throughout the story, Zariah struggles with the idea of being alone versus feeling lonely. Author Nicole D. Collier writes with an authentic voice and wonderful creativity. Many chapters feature the names and meanings of the beads used to make the friendship bracelet.

Congratulations to Nicole D. Collier on her third middle grade book. For more information about Nicole, visit her website at https://nicoledcollier.com.