Friendship Day Books

Two Black girls, two White girls and a baby try to keep the plantation going and keep away any people who might do them harm. Working harder than ever is the new Mistress of the plantation, a mere 15 yr. old girl. She now oversees a very young girl and a somewhat mentally challenged new mother with a small son. Most of the people are either running or hiding from danger.

This second book brings into focus the viciousness of the baby's father and his intent on getting rid of both mother and baby. What follows is dynamic love and perserverance and the ugliness of some men's minds and their wicked meanness is almost too much to absorb.

The girls are maturing quickly and when the bank loan comes due with no money to be had, reposession is a very immediate possibility. This is where the book gets its' title, a real friend materialized and the harmony they show and their hard work pay off.

Today I finished book two and today I purchased book 3 in this series. I feel almost like family now and simply must know the future for these young people. Thank you Michael Phillips for this series.

Mayme Jukes and Katie Clairborne are two fifteen-year-old girls from worlds apart -- Mayme was born into slavery, while Katie was the daughter of a wealthy family that owned a large plantation. But in the final days of the Civil War, they both lost their families to marauders, and now they share an important secret. After Mayme, fleeing the scene of her family's murders, came across Katie, the only survivor at her plantation, Rosewood, the two girls decided to live there on their own and pretend that Katie's mother is still alive. As if that were not difficult enough, now they must protect three other people as well. Emma, a former slave, and her baby, William, are hiding at Rosewood from William's father, the son of Emma's former master. And Aleta, a young girl whose mother died as they fled from her abusive father, is living at Rosewood and is determined to never return home. Mayme and Katie have other worries as well. A loan is due soon at the bank, and if they don't pay, they will never be able to protect their secret.

This was a good sequel to "Angels Watching Over Me" that continues the story of Mayme and Katie, and introduces some new characters as well. I really enjoyed the first book, and this was an excellent sequel. It brings to life the dangers of the post-Civil War South and is a heartwarming story of friendship. I really came to care about the characters. I highly recommend these books to teens who like historical fiction about this time period. I can't wait to read the other two books in this series and find out what happens next.

Kathleen (Katie) Clariborn @ 15 years of age is now the mistress of the Rosewood Plantation at the end of the Civil War. MaryAnn (Mayme) Jukes, 16 years, a freed slave, found Katie terrorized after the brutal death of her parents. Mayme also lost who she thought were her parents in the same manner that Katie lost hers. They forge a bond of sisterly companionship to survive and to protect Rosewood from prying eyes.
Before long Rosewood became a sancturay to a pregnant former slave and an orphaned little girl. Emma gives birth while Mayme & Katie assist in the delivery but they must hide Emma and the baby boy, William, as the former owner searches for them to destroy them.
Aleta and her mother were fleeing from an abusive father/husband when the horse they were riding stumbled and the mother was killed. Katie & Mayme took Aleta in but wondered why the child refuse to contact her father.
Then there was Jeremiah, the blacksmith, in town. He perceives that Katie & Mayme are up to something as he watched them come to town for supplies and to haul cotton to the gin... there is no sign of help or of adults.
Such a poignant and captivating story in the tumultuous time of American history showing the courage of these young people amidst some people of evil intent. Katie and Mayme learn to rely on their faith and their spunk to deal with the dramatically changed world that they now lived in. But there is more to this saga in the next book of this series.

This book was the second entry in the Shenendoah Sisters series, and definitely lived up to the first book. As Mayme and Katie try to make their way in a strange new world of the Reconstruction South without adults, they also need to take care of Emma, her son William, and little Aleta. Their love for each other and the Lord resonates through each page. Phillips has a great voice for these girls and the way they struggle through each day. This is a series I'm hooked on.

The second in the Shenandoah Girls series, A DAY TO PICK YOUR OWN COTTON continues the story of Katie and Mayme. In this book the two unlikely friends, one a recently freed slave and the other the daughter of a former wealthy slave owner, continue to attempt to keep the fact that they are alone on Katie's plantation a secret. The two girls struggle to make things look "normal" on the plantation, but along the way they encounter new friends, a new roommate, dangerous visitors and financial difficulties. The story has a little of everything, there are moments that are light-hearted and humorous, others that are sad, and some that are filled with suspense, and the result is an overall enjoyable read.

While A DAY TO PICK YOUR OWN COTTON is book two in a series, the author provides enough background so that it could stand on its own. However, I think I enjoyed the book more having read the first because I had a stronger emotional connection to the main characters. Overall, this is a fast paced story that highlights many aspects of everyday life in the Post-Civil War South. The Christian themes in the book are subtle and unassuming, it was touching to watch Mayme and Katie struggle to understand God and develop a relationship with him. While this series is not specifically geared towards young adults I think they may enjoy it as much as their parents.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

One would think this was a work of fiction, since leprechauns do not actually exist (here in the US, anyway). However, the Library of Congress has cataloged it as nonfiction under the topic of Love--and rightly so. This book is a beautifully illustrated collection of letters between a boy and a supposed leprechaun, who is actually the boy's very patient and creative father.

Toward the end of the book, the narrator says he never saw a photograph of the leprechaun. On the next page, the illustration is of the narrator looking at a framed photo, the back of which is to the reader. To the adult reader, the companion text makes it obvious that the narrator knows that his father was the leprechaun and that perhaps the father has died. But it would be quite a leap for the book's 4- to 8-year old audience to make those connections.

It really is a charming book, but plan on reading it with younger children so they are not left confused or unsatisfied with the story.

I greatly appreciate the kind words of the reviews below. I do want to make it clear that in my book, I do not state that my father is the one who wrote the leprechaun's notes to me. True, some people think the leprechaun was my father. But many others - especially children - strongly believe that the leprechaun wrote to me himself. I respect both sides, and included the actual notes in the book so the reader could decide. I am satisfied the story can be fully enjoyed either way.

Recently came across after reading a nice review on it and let me tell you it is everything you would hope for in a childrens book and so much more! It's a classic!
Mr. Burton does a nice job in telling his story and the art is different-something that gets the childs notice-but in a nice way. The story does not speak down to the child but rather treats them with intelligence (and my grandkids love that) and it makes them put things together (rather than force feeding the kids what the author wants them to believe). It's a heart warming tale of love between father and son (we also need more of that).
I bought my first copy last week for my youngest grandson, and 3 more are on the way for my others. Great book, I highly recommend!

This charming tale has much usefulness for a classroom setting. It ties in with the themes of writing, friendship, families, imagination, St. Patrick's Day and Leprechauns. A book with this many possibilities for curriculum tie-in is worth the expenditure for school and public libraries.

I have never seen a leprechaun, but author Martin N. Burton made me feel as if I was experiencing the magic of the leprechaun who was his childhood friend. The well written story is the reason why I loved this book and why I loved reading it to my own children. The writing style is fun for young readers and for their parents who may find themselves reading out loud in an unintentional Irish brogue.

Mr. Burton captures the gentle magic of childhood that is enhanced by loving parents and lasts a lifetime. The friendship and love revealed between the child and his father makes this a perfect story for Father's Day. If your children believe in fairies, Santa, and other magical beings, they will find irresistible the possibility that they can have their own leprechaun friend.

Dear Mr. Leprechaun discretely encourages children to write their own letters so they too can discover what might happen. The illustrations are beautiful and convey the magical world of childhood.

I checked this book out from my local library. I read right after I checked it out. It is so good! I finished it in 1 hour. You will NOT want to stop reading this book once you start it. It is really sad, and it does happen in real life, but it shows you how to put up with it and make the best of a sad moment. This is an excellent book, and you really should read it. It also is humorous in some parts.
Plot: Abby's best friend, Jessica is visiting her father in Oregon, for three months! Abby is sad, and doesn't know what to do. Then, Abby says that she'll do Jessica's baby sitting job until Jessica returns-but things start to go wrong, very wrong. Meanwhile Abby has to plan for a school party, what will she do? Read this book and find out! It really deserves six stars!

Abby finds out that her best friend Jessica is going to visit her father in Oregon for three months. It is very sad for her. Her mother tells her that it is only for a three months. Abby offers to babbysit Geoffery for Jessica. Natalie and Sarah offer to walk the dogs for Jessica while she is away. To find out more, go buy this book.

This book was good, but not the best in the series. This one is about how, sadly, Jessica goes to Oregon to visit her father and Abby finds out that she is now a new person. Plus, she has agreed to help Jessica by doing one of her jobs for her while she is gone. But things go wrong when Abby forgets about it one day. AND, it seems like Abby is losing her friends, but Casey and Mason always seem to be her friends. Will Abby be reunited with the REAl Jessica? What will happen with her job? Will she end up being best friends with "Hoffman" and "The Mason Man"? Find out soon, get yourself a copy of this great book!

This is the saddest book ever in the Abby Hayes books. But I give it a 5 stars because it's too interesting. If it wasn't written by Anne Mazer, I wouldn't want to read it.
In this book, it's about Jessica, Abby's best friend going to Oregan to visit her father. She would be there for 3 months! I know how Abby felt, MY best friend went away to stay at her grandparents at America. Now she had changed, just like Jessica.
Abby offered to help Jessica with her babysitting job, but bad things began to happen.

Buy this book and all its companions. It's such a great book. Every girl should read the amazig days of Abby Hayes. Keep up the good work, Anne Mazer.

This book is adventurous,exciting,funny,and great! Abby Hayes is having a camping vacation with her family,and her parents tell her she can invite a friend. She realizes she doesn't have anymore close friends anymore. Well,on the Fourth Of July,she meets a super friendly girl named Hannah,who will be moving to her neighborhood and school soon! Abby invites her on her camping trip,although she's afraid her parents will embarrass her. It's a great book!

In the 12th book, it tells you about Abby making boxes and her best friend Hannah was her parter. But flip back to the first few books in the Abby Hayes series. Abby's best friend is Jessica, not a girl called Hannah! Then who's she? And where's Jessica? Your about to find out. In this book tells you how Abby find Hannah. Hannah is the kind of person that likes anything, love to talk, smile..... Want to find out more? READ IT YOURSELF!!!!

Abby meets a new friend named Hannah. Abby invites Hannah to go camping with her. Abby is worried that her family will do something embarrasing. Read the book to find some other exciting things!

I really enjoyed this book. Abby meets a new friend - a fun, enthusiastic girl named Hannah. Abby invites Hannah along on her family's camping trip. However, Abby worries about whether Hannah will be able to survive a week with the sometimes crazy Hayes family. This is a fun story to read, and Abby's worries about her family embarassing her in front of Hannah are very realistic. However, there's one REALLY unrealistic thing. In the first book, it's summertime, and Abby's entering fifth grade, and her teacher is going to be Ms. Kantor. This book is the summer after that, and the book says she's going into Ms. Kantor's fifth-grade class.

This book was the 11th book in the Abby Hayes series. Even though this was the third summer she was in and the second start of school, it was still great. Since Jessica is away at Oregon, Abby decides to invite a new girl she sees at the pool who will be in her class, Hannah, to go camping with the Hayeses for the 4th of July. Hannah agrees but soon, Abby is trying to make her family promise to be normal. They do, but when they get to the campsite, everything turns crazy, from no reservations to too much blueberries to getting lost in the forest! All in all, Abby and Hannah have a great time. The bad part was the beginning was confusing because it said that they were going to watch fireworks at the campsite but now they were going to the pool and it was jest really confusing. Still, buy this great book today!

Fantastic read. Amy, this is excellent for those who need to know that others go through what they go through --- and are VICTORIOUS. God is REAL!

Author Amy Hammond Hagberg wanted to help teens--her own and others--answer questions about God, including the big question: "How do you know he's real?"

Hagberg wrote to sports stars, recording artists and other celebrities, asking them to reflect on their life experiences and share how the reality of God was making a difference to them personally and professionally. The responses she received--from NBA players, Christian musicians, 'American Idol' contestants and others--are honest, revealing, and often compelling.

The resulting book is a collection of celebrity essays: mini-bios that focus on the reality of God in the midst of media attention, success and failure, and broken relationships. Contributors include Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic basketball team, quarterback David Carr of the Houston Texans, and popular Christian recording artist Clay Crosse.

Some of the interviews are especially helpful for Hagberg's original target readers: teens. Among these, Chrissy Conway of 'Zoe Girl' talks about her parents' divorce, the party scene, and the twists and turns along her personal career path in ways that connect with teens and with anyone who has ever considered attempting a career in music.

Hagberg is a gifted and skilled writer who keeps readers turning the pages as she unpacks celebrity affirmations of the presence of God in their lives. A great gift book for readers from teens through Gen X, but the stories here will interest readers of any age!

Note: Reviewer Dr. David Frisbie is an author and Executive Director of The Center for Marriage & Family Studies in Del Mar, California.

Armchair Interviews says: Anything that can help teens understand their role in living a good life is good.

This is an ideal book to give to people who have questions about becoming a Christian, and who love sports and music celebrities.

44 extreme sports and music celebrities tell their stories in this book, from Jonny Lang (recording artist), to Barlow Girl (rock group), Kimiko Soldati (Olympic diving), CJ Hobgood (surfer), Dwight Howard (NBA player, Orlando Magic), Mick Hannah (downhill mountain bike racer), Jimmie McGuire (professional motocross rider) and more.

They share hard times they faced, how they became Christians and how their paths are more joyful due to their faith. Being a Green Bay Packer fan I turned to Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila's story of growing up in South Central Los Angeles with a tough background, a Muslim dad and a Christian mom, and how his becoming a Christian led to his current happy family life and NFL career. Christian Hosoi, professional skateboarder, after serious drug problems, is now leading a skateboarding ministry.

The two page "God's Road Map" at the end of each celebrity's story contains perceptive questions and Scriptures. Sports and music lovers will enjoy this book, and it can even be a "past watchful dragons book" that will steer doubting people on a new clear path.

God Unplugged by Ammy Hagberg was very interesting. It is 403 pages long and was published in 2006 by Destiny Image. In the story top athletes, musicians, and also stars tell how god helped them get where they wanted to be and changed their lives.
In the story there were 44 celebrity reflections on true life experiences with god. Many of these celebrities have been extremely low in their lives and god has pulled them out of them. Also in some cases they have had no luck in there lives and finally achieved their goals after they gave there lives god. All of these people believe that god has either given them opportunities or even the strength to work through where they were to get to where they want to be.
I thought that this was a good book. I enjoyed reading it and seeing how god has changed all of these people's lives. The strengths of this book are that it has top named celebrities that people actually want to read about. The weakness of this book is that there is nothing to find out nest so you don't have a reason to keep reading. I did like how god actually gave them the strength to continue and succeed in life. The writing was very boring to me, but I liked the idea.
The book gave a lasting effect on me because I have a saint Christopher necklace that my grandma gave to me before she passed away and that keeps me safe when I race motorcross. So, I think that god has a great power on us. I would recommend this book, it will make you think.

Truly, this, and the book before this, are really awesome books!
** Why?
Because they give some very good insights into other peoples way to God. Not only that, if you don't know the Bible inside and out (and even if you do, actually!), there are quotations from the Bible explaining the why and hows, depending on the story of the person interviewed.
All this, with Amy Hagbergs very nice way of writing (down to earth serious mixed with a nice blend of humor) makes this book a pleasure to read!
Personally, I strongly recommend this book to everyone. It might be those who Seek, or those who have found, it doesn't matter, in my opinion! :)

Elam's struggle to bounce back after his best friend's death is understandable for everyone but his father. He feels like he needs more time to adjust, yet his father decides to make the drastic move of to a small mining town a few hours away from home. It is here that Elam finds solace in both nature and solitude, and meets a new yet unlikely friend. Maybe the move, although heart-breaking at first, wasn't such a bad idea after all. Elam's new life provides a sense of rebirth in a barren desert. A Hundred Days from Home is a story of hope - a quick read and only slightly predictable.

This book was great. It gives you that feeling you get when reading a really good book. I love the description of everything and the emotions. It show's us the world through an 11 year old boys mind. It's a captivating story and I strongly suggest that everyone read it.

Elam is a loner. Since the death of best friend in a river accident, Elam prefers to spend his time in the mountain wilderness. Elam's father doesn't think the solitude is good for his son. He decides to move the family to Arizona, hoping Elam will make new friends and come out of his self-imposed loneliness. But Elam doesn't fit in with the locals his father wants as his friends. Instead, he meets Refúgio, a boy his father doesn't approve of because of his nationality. Will Elam be forced to give up his first real friendship since Brett's death because of his father's prejudice?

Elam's struggle to bounce back after his best friend's death is understandable for everyone but his father. He feels like he needs more time to adjust, yet his father decides to make the drastic move of to a small mining town a few hours away from home. It is here that Elam finds solace in both nature and solitude, and meets a new yet unlikely friend. Maybe the move, although heart-breaking at first, wasn't such a bad idea after all. Elam's new life provides a sense of rebirth in a barren desert. A Hundred Days from Home is a story of hope - a quick read and only slightly predictable.

A Hundred Days From Home is a great book.It is one of those books that you just can't put down.I am a picky reader and it is hard for me to find a book I can really get into.This book was one I couldn't stop reading.
It was touching in parts and kept you wondering in other parts.I am sure there is something for everyone to relate to in this book.
I hope all enjoy this as much as I did.

This is a great book to read at the start of the first grade school year.

Good story with plenty of play on words!
Kids will enjoy this, and makes for a goos converstaion starter about preparing for going back to school!

This was funny and inspiring book to read the night before school. It helped my daughter get over her anxieties about a new teacher and a new grade.

I gave all of my kindergarten students this book on the last day of school. In September when they arrived as first graders, they were all telling me how much they loved the book over the summer. One parent e-mailed me and told me how helpful she found the book to be over the summer while they were preparing for first grade. I would recommend this book highly!

Excellent! I was a little skeptical at first, but this book is wonderful. My 6 year old has read the book on her own and the illustrations were very helpful to assist her in identifying some new words on the page.

She has enjoyed the book so much that she has decided to include the book in her summer book report reading list. It is just the correct length for a child entering first grade. My daughter's school only has 1 of each grade, but it has helped her realize to give things a chance. She realizes there will be new children and she may not be seated right next to her friends but there are many other things for her to explore.

First grade can be scary. It's entering what my daughter's school calls 'the upper grades'.

Overall, the book is one that both children and parents will enjoy with it's great ending.

The text in the night pages is black on dark blue which is difficult to read and make an otherwise good book difficult to use with a night light.

Our 4 year old daughter loves this story of 2 monkeys each experiencing the other's world - the day monkey wakes the night monkey during the day and explains away the night monkey's fear of the unusual things he normally wouldn't see during the day as he's usually asleep, and vice versa. The rhyming text is entertaining and lovely to read and the hard board material should endure plenty of wear and tear before our 1 year old is ready to enjoy it! I love all of Julia Donaldson's books and this is one of many we have bought.

My husband hates this book, but I love it. My daughter likes it too. Maybe he doesn't like it since we are in the United States, and don't use words like "daft." I am not sure, but I think it is different and fun. The illustrations are really beautiful too. It is a little long, but I love reading to my daughter, so it's perfect!

This book was my daughter's favorite. I bought this in a London bookstore before my daughter was born. Once she came along, I read the lovely rhymes to her during bedtime. This has been one of her favorite books. We both love the vibrant illustrations and playful use of words. An excellent choice.

I love this book. My daughter has a plush monkey that she cuddles up with when we read this delightful book. The illustrations are bright and beautiful. The text is sweet and lyrical. Unlike most children's books, I don't get the slightest bit tired of reading it over and over and over again.

I deducted one star from my review for the idiot of a graphic designer who put black type on a dark blue background. Luckily, after the 15th or so reading, I had it pretty much memorized, but still. Making your readers squint to try to work out what the book says is pretty weak, particularly with high gloss pages on a book made to be read in the low light of a baby's bedroom.

Home made cookies?
What fun!
When it's Abby's turn to bring in refeshments for "The Daisy" staff, she plans a bach of cookies. The daisy staff is exited.
Most of them havn't tasted a home made bach of cookies in years!
Abby dosn't know what to do!
Her mouth had spoken faster then her brain could think!
She can't bake cookies-or can she?

The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes: That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles, tells about a girl named Abby Hayes, who's dream is to attend a summer writing camp. But... her parents aren't willing to pay the amount of money needed to cover the expenses of the camp. Hmmm, if Abby has the ultimate bake sale, people would be flooding in to buy some cookies. So Abby bakes her cookies until success and they are delicious! Everybody loves them! (Even her parents and siblings sneak a few!) Everything is fine and dandy until one day a teacher tells her she needs to stop. That's the part in the story where another bump comes along in the road! Abby disobeys the rules and sells anyways! She winds up taking a trip to the Principal's office, not the camp! Will Abby go to camp? Or will she spend her summer in jail!? Find out in #16 of the series of The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes!
The author of The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes: That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles is Anne Mazer. She was born in Schnectady, New York on 1953. She is not only the author of The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes, but she is also the author of The No-Nothings and Their Baby! I advide you to read all the books in this series!

Just last year, I wrote a letter to Anne Mazer and she told me that she's going to write at least 24 books about Abby Hayes and now I definetly want to read all her books. "That's The Way The Cookie Crumbles," is one of her newest books. Abby bakes cookies for the "The Daisy," which is the report/news group for the Susan B. Anthony school. When everyone tasted her cookies, they loved it and wanted more of her cookies. Then one of the teachers told her there is a Summer Writing Camp, Abby wants to sign up but when she asks her parents they said no because of writing camp costs too much money. Abby gets an idea, she decides that she's going to sell her cookies at school and it was a great idea. The cookies were selling like crazy but then Abby found out that selling cookies is not allowed on school property or in the school. This leads to serious trouble because Abby gets caught by the principle, Dr. Trane and has detention.

When Abby learns of a writing camp, she immediatly wants to go. But, when she tells her parents how much it will cost to do this camp they say no. Abby decides to try and earn the money. The answer to her problems is to bake. But can simple innocent cookies get her in trouble. This is a great book that you need to read.

I love this book. Although I'm upset that Abby Hayes would break school rules on purpose just for money,the rest is very good. If you're an Abby Hayes fan or you just heard about the series,you will love this book. I highly recommend this book.

I purchased this book through scholastics books thru my daughters preschool... she's 3... this book is very very basic & boring... nice pictures, but that's about it... more for 18 - 24 months!!!

My son's favorite book, we've read it a million times and he always smiles when I show it to him. He loves Snow Day too and we can't wait for Rainy Day to come out.

We recently received this book as a gift, and it has become one of my 2 year old's favorites! He loves the rhythym and pictures. It is a very good toddler book!

Have an adventure just like Sam, Pam, Will, and Jill as you read this colorful picture book for the toddler and preschool set. It's a sweltering day in town and four alligator friends decide to ride to the beach. Of course they get lost along the way, but still end up having a ball of a time. The large, simple and slightly rhyming text flows easily and is balanced by bright cartoonish illustrations rendered in pencil and gouache. Children will have no problems getting sidetracked and lost with the alligator friends and will enjoy the rhythm of the text as the friends collectively form sentences through the interplay of their words. This is a wonderful book to share with young children, especially in a read-aloud situation.