Always, Abigail

Title: Always Abigail
Author: Nancy Cavanaugh
Genre: Fiction

Always, Abigail is a bluebonnet award winning book that talks about a girl that wants nothing more than to be on the cheer team or "pompom squad" during middle school. Abigail would do anything for these mean and ungrateful cheerleaders. Meanwhile, she is partnered up with a major outcast in the school. To Abigail's surprise she begins to actually like her class partner, Gabby. At the end of the story Abigail has to decide between popularity from "friends" that are not friendly, or the outcast that is sweet and kind and has been a good friend to Abigail since day one. Of course, she chooses the better option and does not look back!!

I would read this book to a sixth grade classroom to promote friendship. Everybody knows that once middle school hits kids get a little more independent and tend to be a little "cliquey", or to have little groups of friendships. Sometimes it is not fair to leave people out and not let them be your friend just because of popularity and I would want to teach that lesson with this book!