Now Available… even on your Kindle
Click here to look inside at some page-spreads or here for the Official Simon and Schuster page, where you can browse inside the entire book.
“After Meredith Beals’ best friend, Anjali Sen, dies Meredith is feeling depressed. And her parents don’t understand anything. They just want her to go back to school and start living a normal life again. And life at school isn’t much better because her nemesis, Wendy Mathinson, is teasing her worse than ever. And worst of all there is a big gaping HOLE in her life where her best friend should be. That’s how Meredith feels until Noah Spivak, the boy who she has liked since 5th grade asks her to talk with him about Anjali! Soon Noah and Meredith are going out together and having a good time until Meredith learns that Noah, Wendy, and Anjali aren’t the people she thought they were.
“This book tells a story about life, friendship, love and the true meaning of life in a hilarious way! I also liked this book because it is a mix of comedy and tragedy. Even thought the topic of the book is sad most of the scenes are really funny. I recommend this book for you if you like funny realistic fiction. If you are more on the serious side you might not enjoy it as much because it is pretty goofy. Anyone who loves laughing will love this book.”—Mattie, age 11.
Official Reviews:
“Grief, bullying and friendships are the focus of this layered, complex tale from Haber. When her best friend Anjali dies as a result of a stunningly brief illness, Meredith is set adrift. The ensuing tale unfolds in the first person, interspersed by letters Meredith writes to Anjali; poignantly, she leaves typed missives around her room for Anjali to ‘read’ because ‘it wasn’t like she left a forwarding address…’ With a perspicacity beyond her years, Meredith comes to terms with Anjali’s transgressions in a way that honors the finer points of their relationship but no longer leaves Meredith feeling diminished. This empowering tale is a great read for readers navigating the precarious waters of adolescent friendships.” —Kirkus Reviews.
“In her touching new novel, author Melissa Glenn Haber is spot-on in capturing preteen fears and foibles. An entirely credible Meredith ‘communicates’ with Anjali for approximately six weeks, confiding her personal thoughts about school pals, sibling rivalry and her complicated relationship with Noah. … Her humorous phrases, occasional misspellings and raw honesty about her grief combine to make these letters very real.… The clever epistolary feature works well, especially in poignant passages that focus on Meredith’s uncertainties. Through this one-way correspondence, Haber has crafted a tender and original coming-of-age story that has much to offer young readers.” —Andrea Tarr, BookPage
“I picked a very special book for this month. (And it’s *not* because the cover is pink!) … I totally heart DEAR ANJALI by Melissa Glenn Haber. It’s a beautiful, sad, funny story about a 12-year-old girl who loses something that could be many of your (including mine) worst nightmares—Meredith’s best friend, Anjali, dies. …This is a read you don’t want to miss.” — Jessica Burkhart