Dear Anjali by Melissa Glenn Haber

In this realistic novel of loss and love, a 12-year-old girl whose best friend has died writes her letters as she tries to cope with life without her.

Despite this book being middle grade (which I usually don’t like), I really liked it! Every time I’ve tried to write this review I didn’t. I’m guessing it’s because it is such a meaningful story. Meredith is a twelve year-old girl (only two years younger than myself) who has just lost her best friend. The letters that she writes to her deceased friend Anjali are amazing. They capture the emotion perfectly. Throughout the story secrets get awakened which cause Meredith to doubt her and Anjali’s friendship. She explains in the letters how mad she is and the letters start morphing into how it would be if she were actually talking to Anjali.
Melissa Glenn Haber did a wonderful job writing this book. She captures how difficult it is to be growing up. The emotional turmoil, the constant wonder of who you are, and the struggle that any kid has growing up. Not only is this book about a pre-teen who has lost her best friend, but it’s also about self-discovery and what it means to have a best friend.
I love how the author didn’t play-down anything because younger kids “wouldn’t be able to handle it”. Dear Anjali is truthful and honest. When you have a friend that dies your depressed, life sucks for a long long time, and Melissa Glenn Haber wasn’t afraid to acknowledge that.
I can also successfully say that this is probably the only middle grade book that will make me cry. By the last page my eyes were watering. Melissa Glenn Haber wrote a lovely book. I applaud her for writing something as meaningful as this.

FTC- Received from publisher.