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When Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin



When Friendship Followed Me Home is a middle grade fiction novel by Paul Griffin. Ben is walking home from the library one day when a dog follows him home. His mother, who adopted him from foster care two years before, immediately exclaims that he can keep him. With the help of Flip, Ben soon becomes friends with the local librarian's daughter, Halley (like the comet). When Ben faces struggles, Ben and Halley are there to help him through.

Sex: Ben's friend Chucky often remarks and asks about Halley's chest and rear. Ben usually tells him to stop. Also, Ben's mother remarks that she found Ben after her partner, Laura, died. There is one kissed shared between characters. Ben and Halley often hold hands, but Ben always says it's "just as friends."

Language: Mild.

Drug/Alcohol Use: Ben says that he was dropped off as a baby and drugs were found in his blood. But, he's never been addicted to anything. Uncle Leo has a drinking problem.

Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are a few cases of bullying. There are also a couple of deaths. Ben is struck in the face on two different occasions.

Final Note: This book is definitely for upper middle school/early high school. The subject matter reminds me a lot of  The Fault in Our Stars, without the mature relationships. I almost didn't check it out because I thought the main story would be about a dog. But, this book pleasantly surprised me. It's the best book I've read in the last month or so!


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