Who doesn’t want to escape from the place they grew up sometime or another?
In bestselling author, Claire Messud’s new novel, THE BURNING GIRL (WWNorton&Co.), for Julia and Cassie it is crucial.
We were lucky to meet Claire Messud at BookExpo in May and have one signed book and a book bag for one lucky winner of Thoughts on This ‘n That. It’s amazing to learn that in addition to writing bestselling novels, Claire teaches Creative Writing at Harvard. She’s brilliant and we enjoyed exchanging a few words.
Julia and Cassie have been friends since nursery school. They have shared everything, including their desire to escape the stifling place where they were born and grew up, the quiet town of Royston, Massachusetts. But as the two girls grow older, their paths diverge and Cassie sets out on a journey that will put her life in danger and shatter her oldest friendship.
Claire Messud weaves a compelling fictional world as she asks: To what extent can we know ourselves and others? What are the stories we create to comprehend our lives and relationships? THE BURNING GIRL is a complex, coming-of-age story about the bond of best friends. Brilliantly mixing fable, THE BURNING GIRL explores magical realism and is able to dig deeper into the bonds that connect the girls even after being apart. They are spiritually attached through some unexplained karmic link. Messud leads readers to the heart of these matters in an absolutely irresistible way.
Claire Messud is a recipient of Guggenheim and Radcliffe Fellowships and the Strauss Living Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. The author of five previous works of fiction including her most recent novel, THE WOMAN UPSTAIRS.
We have one copy of the THE BURNING GIRL and a book bag to giveaway to one lucky blog follower. Just tell us about your 7th grade bestfriend. We’ll announce a winner next week.
Cindy Reads & Writes 
I don’t think I had a boyfriend in the 7th grade!
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Tracey has been my best friend since 6th grade. Right before 7th, we went to overnight camp together. We went to different schools and lived somewhat of a distance apart, but we would meet up on weekends and go shopping or get lunch while our moms got their hair done. We’d also do sleepovers. We’ve been besties for 30 years and counting. š
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My best friend from 7th grade was Denise. I’ve known her now for 30 years. We’ve lost touch off and on over the years but I know I could call her anytime and she’d be here for me.
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I met my best friend *in* 7th grade, when we started junior high together. We took delight in strangers asking us if we were sisters back then (“No…. just tall friends!) and now. š We’re still best friends today— and I’m her daughter’s godmother. Those early teen years are difficult — but I often tell young people that all you need is *one* true friend.
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Hmmm I want to a very small Catholic school so there were about 12 girls in my grade. I was particularly close with two of them, Debra and Gabbie. They were funny and kind and we always had a fun time hanging out together. Although I think Gabbie and I had a little rivalry over who loved Leonardo Dicaprio more lol. They ended up going to the same high school since they lived in the same town and I went to my town’s school. We drifted apart but follow each other on social media and it always makes me happy to see how well they are doing.
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I just reconnected with her a year ago.7th grade bff we laughed a lot snacked a lot just had fun.šš we still laugh a lot š
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It was such a long time ago but my best friends name was Sandy and when we wasn’t in school we were inseparable. She was always staying over at my house because her home life was horrible. We had so much fun together but parted ways when we graduated. Not sure where she might live now.
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Her name is Beth. We still keep in contact even though we live a distance from each other!
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My seventh grade bestfriend was Ashley. My family had just moved to a new state. I started junior high at a new school and did not know anyone. Fortunately, my Aunt lived there too. She met Ashley at church and thought we would be great friends. My Aunt introduced me to Ashley before school started. We hit it off and had so much fun in junior high and high school.
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My best friend in 7th grade was Beth. She’s actually my cousin and lived a couple of blocks away.
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Mary Grace. She had what I considered the ideal life and all kinds of artsy talents I didn’t have. Great times.
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One of a few friends; no single best friends. The one I spent more time with and rode my bike with her is Michiko. I still keep in touch with her.
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Debbie was my best friend in seventh grade and STILL my best friend and we have been out of high school for 48 yearsā¤ļøā¤ļø Thanks for chance!
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My 7th grade best friend was my friend from the 5th grade till my sophmore year in high school. At that time i moved to my grandmothers and we were still friends but then as time went on she went to work and we grew farther apart. I see her posts on facebook and she is going thru a rough time and I feel so bad for her. When we were best friends after each class she would meet me at my door or i would be at her door it all depends who got out of class faster to get to the others door. We had the best lunch time as we would gossip and gossip it was so funny. There was a guy who liked me and he would try to get me a lone but no such thing as were were like glue.
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Ohhh Rosemary! haha We were inseparable.
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OMG, my 7th grade BFF was Shirley and we are still great friends to this day. I was the one who escaped our town, never to return, but for family visits. Shirley and I were inseparable. She’s newly divorced, so we talk now just about twice a month. Her home was my second home. I was a latchkey kid with divorced parents. I spent a lot of time at her house and with her large family. It was just what I needed at that tough time in my life.
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My best friend throughout school years was Beverly we are still friends today
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My best friend during 7th grade was Denise. We didn’t live in the same town. She lived next door to my grandmother, and we became the best of friends when we met at the age of three. We’d write letters to each other and I’d see her every summer and throughout the year when I’d stay at my grandmother’s house or sometimes she’d come to my town (only an hour away) and spend a few days with us. Sadly, she passed away in 1994. I miss her and think of her often.
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Her name was Gina. She moved when we were freshman in high school. Haven’t kept in touch with her.
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My 7th grade best friend was Robin and in hindsight wasn’t a very good BFF. She tried to get with my boyfriend, and then ended up dating my brother. She cheated on him and that ended our friendship! Thanks for the chance Cindy! šš
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I had a best friend Kathleen in 7th grade whom I hung around with even though we didn’t go to the same school. My mom didn’t approve, though – her father was divorced, no mother in the picture that I can remember. Guess she thought he woulod be a bad influence on me some how?
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7th grade? Ugh! He was a shrimp and kind of greasy! …and all hands! I do not know what I was thinking!!!š¤¤
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My best friend was Cindy. She still is a good friend.
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My best friend in 7th grade was Donna. I moved when I was in entering 9th grade. We stayed in touch for several years. After she married and had four children, they moved to California. We lost touch and then reconnected four years ago. This summer she came back to New Jersey for her oldest daughters wedding and we were able to get together for breakfast and reconnect. It was like she never left.
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can’t remember
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My best friend in 7th grade was Gayle. We went bike riding, to the pool, and were at eachothers houses often. She was kind and a very good person.
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My best friend in 7th grade and I had a tough year. She ended up not wanting to be friends anymore and ostracized me. I moved away the summer before 9th grade, and we completely lost touch after that. Crazily enough, we wound up in the same college, same dorm. We were friends off and on through college, roommates at times, then would have a falling out, etc., and then the year after college, she disappeared again, and I haven’t heard anything from her since – close to 20 years ago. Sometimes I miss her and the friendship we had, but other times, I’m grateful to have more stable friendships now.
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My 7th grade best friend was my my 3 years older cousin, Verena. She passed away 3 years ago. I hope she knows how much I miss her.
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My 7th grade best friend was lost to me in just going about life until we connected on fb a few years ago. I so appreciate her company as she makes me remember we were young once. We are still fabulous. š
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My 7th grade best friend and I are still in contact but not as close as we used to be. I guess that is expected when one moves 7 states away as a junior in high school. I know that she would be there for me if I needed her and I hope she feels the same way about me.
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My 7th grade best friend and I were best friends in high school and stayed in touch even when we went to colleges that were on opposite coasts of the U.S. We are still close friends, and hopefully will be forever!
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I had two best friends. They were sisters….Lynn and Debbie.
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