Kloe’s New Friendship follows a junior-high cat named Kloe as she tries to juggle school life, old friends, new friends, and the emotional chaos of having a challenging brother. The story sweeps through the semester with warm scenes of friendship, misunderstandings, secrets, and growth. Kloe tries her best to help a new student settle in while also holding her own friendships together, all while dealing with the unpredictable behavior of her brother, Wreny. The plot builds toward moments of tension, hurt feelings, and honest conversations, and it closes on a hopeful note that feels gentle and real.

The writing has a light touch, but the feelings underneath hit pretty hard. I found myself rooting for Kloe because she tries so hard to be good to everyone, even when she’s exhausted. Some scenes, especially the ones where she feels unheard at home, made my heart sink a bit because they felt familiar. The dialogue sometimes rambles the way real kids do, which made the friendships feel believable. I caught myself smiling at the inside jokes and wincing when something awkward landed the wrong way.

What surprised me most was how the book handled messy emotions. It doesn’t pretend everything is simple. Kloe gets frustrated and confused, and sometimes hopes for things she knows she probably won’t get. The moments with Terry, especially the falling-out and the reconciliation, felt honest. And the talk with Mrs. Adams carried a quiet warmth that settled me. The story looks cute on the outside, and it is, but beneath the soft edges, there’s a lot of heart and more depth than I expected. The illustrations feel warm and full of motion. I especially like how the artist uses soft shading and expressive eyes to show personality, making the characters feel relatable even though they’re animals.

I’d call Kloe’s New Friendship a sweet, thoughtful chapter book for kids who are navigating friendships, school drama, or tricky siblings. It’s also a comforting read for parents or teachers who want a window into how kids actually feel beneath the surface.

Pages: 66 | ASIN : B0FVCRVVJ1