ASKING FOR A FRIEND

Eden Jones has exactly three friends. And they're all fake.

From a web of lies and social anxiety to true friendship and queer joy; this is the wonderful second book from the author of the Indie Next List pick Jude Saves the World.

Why go through the stress of making friends when you can just pretend? That works for Eden (and their social anxiety) . . . until their mom declares she'll be throwing them a birthday party and all their friends are invited. Eden needs to find a way to turn fake friends into real ones -- fast.

Eden's three "friends," Duke, Ramona, and Tabitha, are all real kids at the school -- but they've never actually spoken to Eden. Now Eden must do whatever it takes to convince them or trick them into being their friend -- at least until the party is over.

When things start to go better than Eden could have ever hoped, and the group starts to genuinely bond, Eden finds themselves trapped in a lie that keeps getting deeper. What happens if the others discover that Eden hasn't been honest with them from the very start?

This book by Indies Introduce author Ronnie Riley is full of queer joy and -- ultimately -- true friendship.

Awards and Nominations

☆ Nominated, OLA Silver Birch Award, Fiction 2025
☆ Commended, Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre, Starred Selection 2024
☆ Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2015-2026, Selection 2025

quick facts

  • middle grade (ages 8-13)

  • LGBTQ+ contemporary

  • may 2024

  • Scholastic Canada & Scholastic US

  • 51,000 words / 272 pages

  • 9781039701182

  • queer, nonbinary, friendship, hope

  • on-page: social anxiety, panic disorders, foster care representation
    off-page: transphobia & coming out
    not included: misgendering or deadnaming

    • asexual, biromantic, and nonbinary main character (they/them) with social anxiety disorder and panic disorder

    • bisexual, biromantic trans boy Filipino best friend (he/him) with ADHD

    • aromantic, pansexual, genderqueer Black best friend (they/he)

    • cis lesbian best friend (she/her) in foster care

    • cis pansexual best friend (she/her)

to all my friends

past, present, and future

to all trans, nonbinary, and genderqueer kids

past, present, and future

- ASKING FOR A FRIEND dedication