Two books are bound together as one in this pen pal story between sixth-graders Sophie and Katie.  “Sincerely, Sophie” is first, featuring Sophie from New York City, struggling when her life-long friend, Jessie, ditches her for a more popular, boy-crazy crowd.  If that isn’t enough, Sophie’s parents announce they’re getting a divorce.  Sophie, who is told to use the pen pal assignment as a geography lesson, pours out her heart to Katie as a means of dealing with all the changes in her life.

Next we have “Sincerely, Katie” from California, who has problems of her own when her best friend, Jake, begins to shift his attention to another girl.  Both girls need each other, seeing each other through middle-school angst.  It’s a clever format that works!