‘Kloe’s New Friendship’ by K M Selvidge — A Review PLUS A Giveaway! #KloesNewFriendship
This post is sponsored by K.M. Selvidge. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Written by K.M. Selvidge
Ages: 13-18 | 66 Pages
Publisher: Hope Kelley Book Publishing (2025) | ISBN: 979-8218824587
Publisher’s Book Summary: K.M. Selvidge brings back her characters in her second book of the Kloe book series. It’s the second semester, and Main St High is swirling with secrets. Kloe discovers that her brother is not always what he seems, and a new friendship gives her the courage to take matters into her own hands.
PURCHASE LINK
Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Bookshop.org
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
K.M. Selvidge is an author and talented storyteller. She was a dancer, actress, non-profit fundraiser, and animal lover. Watching her three cats inspired her to tell the stories that shaped her life growing up, in the hope that they will help others see that they are never alone.
MY REVIEW
K M Selvidge’s Kloe’s New Friendship is a gentle yet emotionally rich story that resonates deeply with middle-grade readers and the adults who read with them. At first glance, it feels like a light, charming book about school life and friendships… but beneath that surface lies a tender exploration of empathy, identity, and the messy reality of growing up.
Plot & Characters
The incredible book follows Kloe, a junior-high student portrayed as an endearing anthropomorphic cat, as she navigates the ups and downs of school, friendships, and family tensions. When a new classmate arrives, Kloe finds herself balancing her loyalty to old friends with the hope of building new connections…. all while contending with the unpredictable behavior of her brother, Wreny.
Selvidge’s choice to cast her characters as animals with expressive illustrations gives the story both visual warmth and universal appeal, helping readers of all backgrounds find pieces of themselves in the narrative.
What Makes It Special
One of the most compelling aspects of Kloe’s New Friendship is how it captures real feelings without oversimplifying them. Kloe isn’t perfect… she gets frustrated, confused, and hurt… but she keeps trying which is a beautiful life lesson. Her empathy is sincere, and her effort to do right by others, even when she’s worn out, makes her someone readers will root for.
The dynamics with her brother add depth beyond a typical school story. Selvidge gently tackles the emotional challenges Kloe faces at home, illustrating how complex family relationships can affect young people’s confidence and social life. These moments are handled with a light touch that still carries real emotional weight and that is something that I can for sure appreciate.
Dialogues sometimes echo the natural, imperfect rhythms of real kids, and the heartfelt illustrations… especially the expressive faces and soft shading… bring the characters to life in memorable ways and honestly….I adore the illustrations so much as they bring the characters to life and give you a face to the name when reading too.
Themes & Takeaways
At its core, this is a book about:
*Friendship — both forming new bonds and maintaining old ones
*Identity — learning who you are beyond others’ expectations
*Empathy — understanding that people (and siblings) can be complicated
These themes are woven into the story so readers can feel them, not just read about them and I have to say it is what I love most about this book and story.
Final Thoughts
Kloe’s New Friendship stands out as a sweet and thoughtful read that speaks not just to kids navigating school drama but also to anyone who remembers the confusing blend of hope and vulnerability that comes with wanting to belong. Selvidge proves that stories for younger readers can still offer depth and authenticity… and that sometimes, the softspoken books are the ones that stay with you. This is the perfect read for…. young readers (tween and middle-grade), parents and educators who want a window into children’s social worlds, and honestly anyone who enjoys stories of real feelings and gentle growth. Chack out and grab a copy of Kloe’s New Friendship today! It makes the perfect addition to your child’s reading collection!
TOUR SCHEDULE
Monday, December 15, 2025
Tour Kick-Off for Kloe’s New Friendship
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Book Review of Kloe’s New Friendship
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Author Interview with K.M. Selvidge
Friday, December 19, 2025
Instagram Post about Kloe’s New Friendship
Monday, January 5, 2026
Book Review of Kloe’s New Friendship
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Guest Post about Kloe’s New Friendship
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Book Review of Kloe’s New Friendship
Friday, January 9, 2026
Instagram Post about Kloe’s New Friendship
Monday, January 12, 2026
Because I said so – adventures in parenting
Guest Post about Kloe’s New Friendship
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Instagram Post about Kloe’s New Friendship
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Author Interview with K.M. Selvidge
NOW TO THE GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a signed paperback copy of Kloe’s New Friendship!
Kloe’s New Friendship: Book Giveaway
22 Comments
jerry godinho
I really enjoyed your thoughtful review of Kloe’s New Friendship. Your description of Kloe juggling school, relationships, and emotions made me feel like I got a real sense of her growth and resilience. It’s lovely how you highlighted the heart behind the story and how a new friendship helps her find courage even when things feel messy and complicated. Thank you for sharing this and the chance to enter the giveaway. I can see why this book will resonate with kids navigating their own friendships and challenges.
Natasha Mairs - Serenity You
As a big cat lover, I am absolutely loving the dressed up illustrated cats!
Amber
This sounds like a fabulous book for kids! It’s so cool that it’s signed by the author as well.
Tara Pittman
Would this book be good for reading to a 7 year old? My daughter likes reading chapter books to her daughter.
mcushing7
one reading with the kids too and this is perfect for her!
Jess Benoit
Such a lovely book review! Your thoughts made me curious about Kloe’s story, and the giveaway makes it even more exciting to try this read.
Zab Zaria
I loved how you shared your insights about the book in such a clear and engaging way. This made me want to read it
Melanie E
This sounds like a really lovely book for little ones. It is great that the main character learns a range of important life lessons within the course of the story. The book seems to be beautifully illustrated and would make such a lovely gift to a little one. What a great competition. Good luck all x
LisaLisa
I need to check this one out! My granddaughters love books, and she would absolutely adore this, especially since it features cats and focuses on friendship.
Cathy Jose
Such an amazing book for kids especially for all cat lover that can gives us great lesson of life
Marysa
What a lovely book for kids. It has a lot of nice messages in it, and it is nice to see some stories to help kids through difficult situations.
Natural Beauty And Makeup
It is inspiring to see how Kloe finds strength through a new friend while navigating tricky sibling relationships at school. Nice review .
Vidya Tiru
this sounds so cute and heartwarming.. and with so many students who have and love cats, i am sure this book will be a hit..
Jen
This book sounds super sweet! My niece, who is a voracious reader at her young age, would enjoy this book.
jerry godinho
I loved reading your review of Kloe’s New Friendship — your thoughtful take on Kloe’s emotions and how she navigates new relationships made the story feel so meaningful and relatable. Your breakdown of the characters and key moments helped me see why this book resonates with readers of all ages, especially with its heartfelt message about growth and understanding. Thanks for sharing both your honest review and the fun giveaway opportunity that makes discovering this book even more exciting.
mcushing7
I love this read so much and even more so….. my daughter. She carries this one around and reads it a lot!
Alice Sarber
Aw this sounds like such a great book for kids! I love that it talks about real feelings!
Lani
The book that you have featured sounds lovely. This kids book seems to be beautifully illustrated and contains key areas of importance for children. Empathy especially is one that we need to promote in kids.
mcushing7
It is an incredible children’s book and a must have for their reading collection 😉
Christy G
This sounds like a cute book to read to young children. You can even use the story to teach kids how to make new friends or being a good friend. I’ll have to enter to win a copy for my grandson.
Chelsea Parker
That looks like a great book for middle schoolers. It is good that it is teaching them about friendships, empathy, and identity.
Jen
“Kloe’s New Friendship” sounds like a sweet book & one that my niece would like! I appreciate your in-depth book review.