Bigg School: Best Friends Forever
by Lisa Williamson
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Pub Date 12 Oct 2023 | Archive Date 28 Sep 2023
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Description
A new contemporary series from Lisa Williamson about an ordinary class of kids with extraordinary stories - teamed up with the hilarious and award-winning illustrator, Jess Bradley. The first book follows Lola going from primary to secondary school with her best friend - when they're put into different classes, will their friendship survive?
Lola and Evie have been BFF since they were babies, just like peas in a pod - and even though they don't end up in the same class, Lola expects everything to stay the same. At home things are tough because Lola's parents are divorcing and they're having to move the family home. So when the annoying C leo becomes friendly with Evie, stealing her from Lola, three most definitely becomes a crowd - Lola must learn that not all change is bad...
A Note From the Publisher
Jess Bradley is the illustrator of the Blue Peter Award-winning THE DAY IN A LIFE OF A POO, A GNU AND YOU, and is a regular contributor to the Phoenix comic.
Perfect for Key Stage 2 and Year 7s going to a new school. It's the first in a series following the same class of Year 7s and the second book will be out in April 2024, DOUBLE DRAMA, telling Lola's nemesis Daniel's story - a boy with lots of pressure at home but a burning desire to be the lead in the school play.
Advance Praise
‘Williamson’s empathy for young people shines through in the first of the series…funny, touching and wise. As good as Jacqueline Wilson at her best.’
Charlotte Eyre, The Bookseller
This warm, true-to-life story will hit the spot with so many readers.
Karen McCombie, author of Catching Falling Stars
'Heartfelt and funny, this is a story about staying true to yourself, no matter what - and about real friendship.'
Sinead O’Hart, author of The Eye of the North
“A fresh, funny story filled with feelings around the highs and lows and ins and outs of friendship. Lisa Williamson and Jess Bradley feel a perfect pairing and have brilliantly captured the seismic shifts of changing schools, house and friendship groups.”
Jake Hope – Youth Libraries Group
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781913101558 |
| PRICE | £7.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 256 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Jenny J, Librarian
Lisa Williamson and Jess Bradley are the perfect duo for this new series. Williamson shows a rich insight into the emotional life of a Year 6- 7 child going up to secondary school and manages to portray all of the pain and delights of this without making anyone too much of a villain. 'People grow apart' is the sad but true theme of this story, it's echoed in the lives of the Lola's recently divorced parents as well as with Lola's own significant relationship with her Primary School best friend but it's lightly and amusingly told with such cute illustrations from Bradley. The repeated visual gag about the meaning of Lola's name made me laugh every time I saw it and it's touches like this that are fresh and fun. I really enjoyed the fact that (spoiler) it is Lola's otherwise monosyllabic older brother who ultimately saves the day and puts things into an emotional framework and context that she can accept. Tween boys experience just as much heartbreak at these partings in life as tween girls do so it was lovely to see this depicted so sensitively. It's written in plain, simple language and with Bradley's illustrations making it look so attractive and fun I think that this will appeal to readers of all ages and abilities. I can't wait to get this into my school library as it's going to be very popular I think.
Sheila T, Reviewer
I received a free copy of, Bigg School: Best Friends Forever, by Lisa Williamson and Jess Bradley. from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Best friends forever Chloe and Evie are best friends until they start a new school year and have no classes together. School is hard enough with out friendship problems, Chloe is feeling a little lost without her supposed bff Evie, life is not the same, and change is never fun. I would never want to go back to elementary school again, so much angst and anxiety, this is a really good read.
Kirsty C, Bookseller
I really enjoyed this book. Perfect for those navigating those early days of high school and all the changes that come along with it.
Educator 1114607
I love how accessible the writing is without being too simple. Lisa Williamson really is insightful about the feelings and thoughts of Y7 girls. The writing sometimes brings back fond memories of my old self at that age (and not-so-fond ones as well).
By the way, I am from Hong Kong originally, but for the life of me, I don't get how Jiayi could mean "lucky one". Does anyone have the Cantonese word for it?
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