DEAR ABBY: My best friend and I are 12 and in the sixth grade. We recently discovered that "Joe," a close friend of ours, has been shoplifting.
This situation has us worried because it might turn into a habit. My friend and I don't want Joe to lose his parents' trust or get into even bigger trouble. We want to tell his parents, but then Joe might get angry at us.
We want Joe to keep being our friend. Abby, please give us some advice. -- WORRIED PRETEENS IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR WORRIED PRETEENS: You are wise to be concerned. Rather than reporting Joe to his parents, a more effective method might be to tell your parents -- and ask them to discuss it with Joe's parents.
If left unchecked, Joe is risking arrest and criminal charges. It's only a matter of time. And in the meantime, in order to avoid being implicated in his shoplifting, do not accompany Joe into any stores.