


Novel examines social challenges of pre-teens
Starting middle school can be nerve-wracking.
The Friendship Experimentby Erin Teagan
written for ages 9-12 | recommended with reservations
published in 2016 | HMH Books for Young Readers | 256 pages
written for ages 9-12 | recommended with reservations
published in 2016 | HMH Books for Young Readers | 256 pages
Starting middle school can be nerve-wracking. For Madeline Little it promises to be disastrous. Her best friend Elizabeth is going to a competitive private school and her beloved grandfather recently passed away, so there will be no one with whom she can share her love of scientific research. Even her father, a scientist himself, does not really appreciate her interest. If he did, how could he be willing to sell Grandpa’s house, with all his old research equipment?
Madeline’s powers of observation help her identify every flaw in her classmates’ characters. This does not bode well for making new friends. Her sister’s eighth grade attitude doesn’t help either. After managing to alienate nearly everyone in her life, though, Madeline realizes that she is not perfect herself. Can she find a way to make amends and start fresh?
Erin Teagan’s first novel examines the social challenges of pre-teens. Madeline’s dilemma is real and not uncommon, though her approach to dealing with it is somewhat exaggerated. She tends to be highly critical of others and standoffish, cutting off her nose to spite her face, so to speak. Fortunately she matures before the end of the book.
One strange and rather unnecessary feature of the story is the obsession Madeline’s mother has with a painting of a naked woman. While Madeline, her older sister and all their peers find it embarrassing, Mrs. Little insists on calling it art and displaying it publicly, even when they learn that it is a picture of Mr. Little’s mother. This “subplot” has nothing to do with the narrative and leaves the reader wondering, “What was that all about?”
A former teacher, Jennifer Minicus is currently a full-time wife and mother.

One of the most tedious words in the English language is “equality”. Racial equality, gender equality, marriage equality, economic equality – the chatter about these pious goals is endless. Yet all the while, new inequalities are born.
In our lead article today Jennifer Johnson talks about the real and distressing inequality that she, and many like her, experienced growing up in a broken family – and that many children continue to experience in ways undreamed of at the beginning of the sexual revolution that made it all possible. Until we begin seriously to address this inequality, which causes children so much suffering, we should cease and desist from talking about any other.
A word about the feature asking whether humanity should colonise other planets, assuming it becomes possible. We have run the piece because provides an interesting survey of the literature and film on this theme and poses a valid question. The answer, however, is not one we would agree with – at least not for the reasons given, which suggest a rather low view of our species. We look forward to your comments.
And a STOP PRESS: The editor has just forwarded me an AP story headed, “US applications for New Zealand citizenship jump 70 percent”. I am sure you can guess the reason, and it’s not just our majestic mountains. You can read the details for yourself here.
Carolyn Moynihan
Deputy Editor,
MERCATORNET
Family diversity and its children: the next equality debate By Jennifer Johnson Changes in marriage and family life result in inequality for children. Read the full article |
Extinction or survival: how storytellers explore the ethics of colonising other planets By Siobhan Lyons It may be possible, but does that mean we should? Read the full article |
‘Jackie’ treads the thin line between fact and memory By Luisa Cotta Ramosino In a brilliant performance, Natalie Portman portrays a woman who tries to reshape history Read the full article |
Feminists should wake up to the dangers of transgenderism By Giselle Bertino-Clarke As women, we have the right to protest against the view that our bodies no longer matter. Read the full article |
Novel examines social challenges of pre-teens By Jennifer Minicus Starting middle school can be nerve-wracking. Read the full article |
The assisted suicide project will never end By Paul Russell Its supporters will always find new borders to cross and new rules to transgress Read the full article |
America dulls its pain and shortens life spans By Marcus Roberts Another largely unremarked crisis: opiates. Read the full article |
The prehistory of the Alt-right By Jeffrey Tucker The new movement has some very unsavoury progenitors Read the full article |
The Netherlands wants to fund abortions in Africa By Mathew Otieno Meanwhile a famine threatens the lives of 20 million people there. Read the full article |
Women do have power in the world of work, UN please note By Vincenzina Santoro Many women have advanced beyond 'equality' in their professions. Read the full article |
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