Will summer break be a drag or a blast for meticulous Shermy when rambunctious Shake moves in next door? From Newbery Honor recipient Kirby Larson comes a bighearted chapter book about two boys’ friendship.

When a new kid comes to stay with his grandmother at the house next door, Shermy’s plans for a quiet, relaxing summer are completely upended. That’s because Shake is nothing like Shermy. And Shermy is nothing like Shake. Shermylikes to read quietly in the shade of a tree. He knows the proper way to do a puzzle. He collects treasures in the pouch he wears around his neck, and the books on his shelves are alphabetized by author. Shakelikes to play street hockey or space explorers. He gobbles up rocket ice pops and Toaster Tarts. He shows up unannounced and plays board games by his own rules. As the two boys are forced to spend more and more time together, will they learn how to get along? Or will it be one long countdown until Shake goes home? Newbery Honor recipient Kirby Larson teams up with debut illustrator Shinji Fujioka to create a humorous and heartfelt ode to summer—and to unexpected friendships.

Editor review

1 review

Unexpected Friends

October 22, 2023 (Updated: June 04, 2026)

Overall rating

4.0

Plot

4.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

4.0

‘Shermy and Shake, The Not-So-Nice Neighbor’ by Kirby Larson, illustrated by Shinji Fujioka, tells the story of a new kid moving into town. While this is often the case when new kids start new schools, make new friends, and cope with change, in this case, Shake is having an easier time adjusting, despite being the new kid. It’s Shermy whose plans are ruined when his quiet summer turns sour with Shake’s arrival.

Despite their differences, as time goes on, through their forced time together, they find ways to get past their differences and learn to actually, just maybe, like each other.

This story works well as a read-aloud or also for independent readers who like to sit and read on their own. Young people will be able to see themselves in the characters, if even in a small way. As they learn more about Shermy and Shake, they will discover that not everything is quite what meets the eye, and, as the back of the book says, “Sometimes friends can be found where you least expect them.”

Good Points

This story works well as a read-aloud or also for independent readers who like to sit and read on their own. Young people will be able to see themselves in the characters, if even in a small way. As they learn more about Shermy and Shake, they will discover that not everything is quite what meets the eye, and, as the back of the book says, “Sometimes friends can be found where you least expect them.”