Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning by Danette Haworth

Ages 10-12

Fiction books about a girl feeling jealous and left out when a new girl appears to be stealing her best friend are a dime a dozen. I've read about 10 of them already this year. Violet Raines..., though, adds a dash of small-town charm to this age old story, making it feel almost new. Tomboy Violet has been friends with Lottie for years, but when Melissa moves in from the city, things start to change. Suddenly, Lottie is paying attention to boys, bras, and makeup, three things that send Violet running for the hills. Violet takes an immediate dislike to Melissa and her big city airs, and sets about trying to win Lottie back. A lightning bolt hits Lottie's house, and Violet finally starts letting go of her self-centered plans in order to help Lottie's family. A boy enters the story, and adds a very realistic portrayal of first crushes that ends on just the right note.

If you're going to read a story about friends torn apart by a new girl entering the picture, this one is pretty darn good.