With Friends Like These

APOOO Rating: 4 With Friends Like These is the third book in a series of young adult books by ReShonda Tate Billingsley. Billingsley presents characters Alexis, Camille, Jessica, and Angel that have joined together to create the church youth group, the Good Girlz. When Rachel, the group's founder, introduces a new member to the group, as well as presents the girls with an opportunity for one of them to host the new talk show Teen Talks, trouble is definitely in the future for the girls. In the midst of the competition for the spot as talk show host, the girls start to realize that they do not know as much about each other as they thought. Issues such as interracial relationships, teenage boosters, and divorce are addressed in this compelling book. Billingsley does a great job bringing the characters to life. She creates a storyline that is full of insight into what the youth of today are really going through. It is the new and improved Babysitters Club or SweetValley High. I highly recommend this for young girls of today. Donnica Copeland APOOO BookClub

WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE is the third installment in Reshonda Tate Billingsley's young adult series featuring Camille, Jasmine, Alexis, and Angel. This time around the girls are also joined by Tameka, Rachel's niece. In the novel, the girls are all trying to win a position as the hostess of a new show called Teen Talks. The competition amongst them is fierce and some are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job; even if it means double-crossing their friends. Lying and stealing are only part of the plan to make sure the position belongs to them. Along the way, they are forced to question whether or not the bond they share is real and will last once the contest is over. Not only does Billingsley address friendship in this novel, she also explores dating relationships. Camille meets a young man with whom she quickly becomes involved. Yet, just when she thinks things are going great she receives opposition from his mother and surprisingly from another source who she thought would always support her. Not only that, someone from Camille's past returns only to escalate the drama in her relationship. Alexis is also involved in a relationship with an unlikely character. When her relationship ends, there is a chance that one of her friendships might come to an end too. The third installment in Billingsley's series is another well-written novel meant to teach lessons about friendship and loyalty. Once again she brings her characters to life, placing them in situations that allow her to use the Ten Commandments and a biblical background to teach without being preachy. Teens are not the only ones who will enjoy this novel though; it's entertaining for readers of all ages. WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE has a well-developed plot with intriguing twists and turns the reader will not expect. If you enjoy novels that make you laugh, pull you into the characters' lives, make you shake your head in disgust, and teach you a lesson all at the same time, this is the book for you. Also, if you're looking for a book to read with your child, then pick this one up. You might even want to check out the first two books in the series, Nothing But Drama and Blessings in Disguise. Reviewed by Criss Coles for The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers