Tuva is sad that the summer holidays are almost over, but excited at seeing her best friends Bao and Linnea. Tuva has given herself a list of things to achieve for the new school year, the first being to write a diary. She also wants to get a cool look, go to a sleepover, fall in love (maybe) and build the best fort she can with her BFF’s.

But Tuva quickly finds that the seemingly unbreakable bond between them is beginning to bend. Linnea has a boyfriend and the fort is far from her mind, which begins to build a rift between Tuva’s best friends. Tuva is stuck in the middle in a tug of war of loyalties, and she’s not sure what to do.

Spending time with Bao is just like how it used to be – working together to build a den in the woods and playing war with others with dens. Spending time with Linnea sparks an interest in make up, romantic feelings and shopping, all whilst feeling guilty about keeping it from Bao. Confusion reigns when a new girl starts school and Tuva can’t stop thinking about her. Although she’s close with her Dad, sharing a love of music and their home, Tuva doesn’t feel comfortable asking about all that is stirring within her.

Now full of indecision about clothes, make-up, being cool and how to just ‘be’, Tuva lies awake at night thinking about it all. A shouty show down finally brings everything to a point. Will she ever get back her bond with her BFFs?

Translated from Norwegian to English, this graphic novel is perfect for girls all over the world experiencing changes in friendship dynamics and growing up.

The afterword from the author, (hand written with little doodles), reveals that she went through what her character Tuva does in the story, and then she developed the plot further.

The illustration style drew me in as Tuva’s emotions sway from excitement, confusion, indecision, and back again. Navigating changes in friendships can be hard in your early teens as we change from enjoying the same simple children’s pleasures, to developing at different rates both mentally and physically.

The strong bond between friends is suddenly tested and stretched, leaving girls like character Tuva feeling left behind and wondering whether she should be herself or trying to catch up to her peers to fit in. Cross my heart and never lie is an genuine story capturing this confusing time for any tween.

Realising she likes the new girl at school is also part of Tuva’s journey of her new self, morphing from childhood to teen.

An engaging read!

Author / Illustrator – Nora Dåsnes

Age – 11+

(2024, Harper Collins, Friendship, Growing up, School, Conflict, New boyfriend, BFFs, Best Friends, Indecision, Confusion, Maturity, Questions, Belonging, Fitting in, LGBTQ+, Influencers, Identity)