Katie and Jennifer are best friends and have been so forever—until the day Jennifer plays with Roy at recess and chooses him as her “walk-in-from-recess buddy.” Devastated by what she sees as abandonment, Katie’s “whole self felt like a bruise.” Angry with Jennifer, Katie puts her strong emotions into words when she yells, “I am Flabbersmashed about you!’” But when Arabella takes her hand to walk in from recess, Katie realizes that Jennifer’s is not the only hand that fits into hers, and a potential friendship is launched. A firm grounding in realistic childlike perspective and behavior pairs well with the dynamic illustrations. Font of varying sizes, colors, and placement on the page helps readers follow Katie on her emotional roller-coaster ride. Honor Book, 2013 Charlotte Zolotow Award (Ages 4–8)

Readers first met Katie Honors in Rachel and Yumi's Sometimes I'm Bombaloo and Jibberwillies at Night. Now Katie is back as she deals with feeling "flabbersmashed" by her best friend, who suddenly wants to be friends with another kid. We've all been flabbersmashed by a friend--left out of an activity or secret, left to feel sorry for ourselves, or move on. Will Katie ever stop feeling left out?