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Summary: Rosemary embarks on a new and terrifying adventure when her segregated school closes and she and her best friend J.J. are moved to an integrated school. When J.J. comes down with polio, Rosemary must face her class by herself, as the only colored girl in the entire sixth grade. Along with the normal challenges that come with entering middle school, Rosemary must face the unpleasant comments that come with her being colored. She soon finds herself in an odd predicament as Grace, the girl who used to constantly verbally abuse her because of being colored, is now standing up for Rosemary and they become friends. The book goes on about how Rosemary and Grace build their friendship even when Grace’s parents are clearly prejudiced. The two girls beat the odds as they become a strong pair of best friends and almost all of their class wants to be their friends too. In the end, the school year has finished up and Rosemary finds that Grace is moving back down south to where schools are still segregated because of her father’s wishes.

Review: McKissack has blown me away with this outstanding book that circles around teaching young readers the message of true friendship. In the beginning of the book Rosemary goes to a segregated school where she has gone her entire life with other colored children until she finds herself being moved to an integrated school the next year. At the start of the new school year she is faced with sitting next to Grace, a girl from her neighborhood that has constantly torn her apart verbally. The two girls found themselves out of the "in" crowd and when Rosemary is accused of stealing, by Grace, Grace then apologizes for her wrongdoing and this is the start of their unusual journey. Rosemary is able to teach Grace about her culture and ways and how they are not all that different from "white peoples" ways. Grace is able to then teach Rosemary that not all "white people" are prejudiced and some may not want to be, so they are trying their best to change, like Grace. The two grow an unbreakable bond by the end of the book and truly shows the reader that friendship is a fragile, yet strong, bond that is an essential part of growing up. ( )

Extremely heartwarming and uplifting, Patricia C. McKissack's newest novel A Friendship for Today is an phenomenal example of the true importance of friendship. McKissack successfully shows readers that it's A-OK to be unique!

I think the characters in A Friendship for Today were actually quite well-done. They each had different "dementions" and unique personalities. Each character is so realistic as well!
        The problem that I had in terms of characterization in A Friendship for Today was the character's relationships with other characters. These connections, at least for me, didn't seem very realistic or well-developed.

The plot was very intriguing - I typically don't read historical fiction THAT much, but A Friendship for Today stood out because of it's unique plot and amazing writing style. The way Patricia McKissack is able to write so darn accurately from the perspective of a middle schooler is something I will never be capable of!
        However, I did find the whole scenario about Rosemary's parents kind of unnecessary to the plot. The relationship between Rosemary's parents (and the whole scenario between them, to say the least) was not very well developed either. However, it did make some great page-filling! :D

What actually surprised me was the Author's Note, saying that this whole book was practically an autobiography. Patricia McKissack...you are an amazing writer...and human being! Thank you for sharing so much with your readers! You are truly inspirational!

All in all, I highly enjoyed A Friendship for Today and would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in a heartwarming story about a powerful girl that you'll never forget! #4EverIntegrated ( )

Quick, easy read that would be good to focus on for character development. Both the main character, Rosemary, and her antagonist, Grace "The Tasteless", show good character foil and change throughout the novel. ( )

Based on the author's experience. Very well done. Another look at 1955 integration. A must for the library collection. ( )