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“Another relatable installment in a sweet, friendship-focused series.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Newbery Honor author Larson builds on her “Shermy and Shake” series with great humor between two very different best friends. . . . The spacing and font size is excellent for newer chapter book readers. Fujioka adds a few grayscale, digitally created illustrations per chapter, some full page, adding pacing and detail for younger chapter book readers. . . . Give to fans of Amy Timberlake’s “Skunk & Badger” and Annie Barrows’s “Ivy + Bean” series.”

—School Library Journal

Shermy and Shake, the Not-So-Bossy Best Friend (Shermy and Shake #3)

Written by Kirby Larson
Illustrated by Shinji Fujioka
Published by Candlewick

Shermy loves going to second grade. Well, except when the substitute teacher does the lessons out of order (spelling before recess and social studies during math time?). His friend Shake, however, goes with the flow. Maybe that’s why their friendship works. Whether it’s writing letters to their favorite authors, making homemade toys for the animal shelter, or coming up with New Year’s resolutions for each other (“Stay a reading superstar!” Shake writes), the two pals’ personalities always seem to balance out.

But when Shermy adopts Wally, a lovable shelter dog, he gets so busy with training that he has less time for Shake—who eventually stops asking to do stuff together. And one day, Shermy hears about moving boxes at Shake’s house. Is Shake moving away? Shermy is so worried he feels like he can’t breathe. Wise Grandpa Gordy tells Shermy friendship is a big responsibility—just like having a dog—and that it blossoms with TLC.

Don’t miss the rest of the series! Explore:

Primary ISBN: 9781536239010
Publication Date: March 2026
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Chapter Book, Age 06 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , ,

Setting: United States

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival

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