—Don't be upset. Sometimes losing is only a sign that you really tried.

    A reader wrote in to say1she was feeling lonely at break because her best friend wasn't around. Here2our advice to her—and to all kids3feel lonely sometimes.

    It's hard4a best friend isn't around—maybe5she moved to a different school or a different class. You may feel lonely at break or lunchtime. You want to have new friends.6how do you make them? Maybe it 7everybody else already has their friends. But remember,8always room for more friends.

    Start by looking around your classroom—think about9kids you'd like to play with. Look for chances to say hi to them, smile, and be friendly. Offer to share something or express your appreciation to them. Invite someone to play with you or ask10he or she wants to sit next to you in the lunchtime or not.11you're at break, walk over to kids you want to play with, act friendly, and say "Hi, can I play too?" or just join in.

    12you have trouble doing this or you're feeling shy, ask your teacher to help you make new friends. Teachers 13pretty good at matching up friends. The best way to make friends14to be a friend. Be kind, be friendly, share, say nice things, offer to help—and pretty soon, you'll have one, or two, or even more new friends.

    You might still miss that special best friend. But when you see each other, you can share something you didn't have 15she left: You can introduce her to your new friends!