When Friendship Followed Me Home

When Friendship Followed Me Home

By Paul Griffin

3 ratings 8 reviews 6 followers
Interest LevelReading LevelReading A-ZATOSWord Count
Grades 4 - 8Grades 2 - 5n/a4.148571
A breathtaking middle-grade novel about happiness, loss, and an unforgettable dog named Flip


“This story convinced me all over again that love and imagination are life’s biggest magic.” —Rebecca Stead, author of Newbery Award winner When You Reach Me
 
Ben Coffin has never been one for making friends. As a former foster kid, he knows people can up and leave without so much as a goodbye. Ben prefers to spend his time with the characters in his favorite sci-fi books…until he rescues an abandoned mutt from the alley next-door to the Coney Island Library.
 
Scruffy little Flip leads Ben to befriend a fellow book-lover named Halley—yes, like the comet—a girl unlike anyone he has ever met. Ben begins thinking of her as “Rainbow Girl” because of her crazy-colored clothes and her laugh, pure magic, the kind that makes you smile away the stormiest day. 
 
Rainbow Girl convinces Ben to write a novel with her.  But as their story unfolds Ben’s life begins to unravel, and Ben must discover for himself the truth about friendship and the meaning of home.

Paul Griffin’s breathtaking middle-grade debut will warm your heart as much as it breaks it.  

 


"Full of pace and laughter, bruises and heart. Paul Griffin is the sort of writer you're torn between telling the whole world about and keeping all to yourself."—Markus Zusak, author of Printz Honor Winner The Book Thief

“‘Friendship’ is an absolutely beautiful, heart-expanding book.  I cried, but more than that I felt this giant balloon of love for everyone.  This story convinced me all over again that love and imagination are life’s biggest magic. It’ll make you want to grab hold of everyone important to you and lick them on the nose.”   —Rebecca Stead, author of Newbery Award winner When You Reach Me

"Some books change the way you see the world. Some change the way you breathe. This book will leave you breathless. This is Paul Griffin's best book yet—and that's really saying something." —Patricia McCormick, author of National Book Award Finalist Sold

"When Friendship Followed Me Home is both a beautiful book, and an honest book; it is, in fact, beautiful because it is honest. We see the pain of loss, and the glory of community. We see love in its many forms, and we witness the truth that love goes on despite all barriers. Cheer for Ben and Halley: it is kids like these who are our hope.”  —Gary D. Schmidt, author of Okay for Now
Publisher: Puffin Books
ISBN-13: 9780147510068
ISBN-10: 0147510066
Published on 7/18/2017
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 272

Book Reviews (8)

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Kitty Kitty

I loved this book. I love reading and usually books don’t touch me like this one did. I was in tears throughout the book. This is the best book I have read ever! I would recommend this book to everyone.

S.S. Star S.S. Star

So sad yet so good.

This book... I LOVED IT! I cried many times, laughed countless amounts, and just made me appreciate the world and feel good about myself. I think you haven’t lived life if you didn’t read this book yet!

Brooklyn Brooklyn

I don't like the book

I don't know HOW IN THE WORLD YOU DON'T LIKE THE BOOK, but for everyone elses information it is an awesome story described by someone down below.

I love Halley (yes, like the comet)! SHE IS MY ABSOLUTE FAV CHARACTER!

Amazing

When Friendship Followed Me Home is the wonderful story of a boy named Ben, and his journey. One night, behind his library in the alleyway, Ben finds a starving puppy, trying to survive on its own. taking pity on the poor dog, Ben tries to take him home, but the dog doesn't seem to want to go. So, Ben starts walking home. But then, the little dog follows him! Ben lures him into his arms by leaving a trail of small cheese hunks. He takes it home with him. His mother agrees to keeping the dog, and they wash him, and clean him up. Ben, with the help of his new friend Halley, [yes, like the comet] decides to name the dog Flip. The rest of the story you have to read. Find out for yourself! All I can say is it is an emotional journey that will make you think as if YOU were part of the story. Happy Reading!