A book about true friendship
931441
An amazing story about two friends who stand for each other until the end during the Civil war and leave a legacy to remember. One hundred years after the Civil war a desperate man finds his lost path in life inspired by their true friendship, integrity and boldness. An adventure full with new friends, fun, love, disappointment and an unexpected ending.
4011790
This is a book about realizing and cultivating true friendships. It's impressively thorough, meaning it's not just fluff. It describes various types of "friendships" - from acquaintance, other types of relationships to true friendship. It offers much insight into such topics as cultivating friendships and using discernment when choosing friends. In today's age of "friendship" this book demonstrates the benefits of true friendship and examines how to be a true friend. It distinguishes between one-sided friendships, using people, what can ruin friendships, and the limitations of friendship.

I really like the book. It does warn about being cynical about the possibility of true friendship, which is another way I can benefit from this book. One of my pet peeves is facebook and "friends". I do not take the word "friend" lightly and you cannot convince me that someone has over five hundred friends on facebook. The majority of these five hundred friends most likely are not true friends. (How can you even cultivate and maintain over five hundred true friendships?!).

That is why this book is so valuable in today's age. This book delves deep into the concept of true friendships and, in my opinion, facebook just serves to erode the concept of friendship. Maybe, this is part of being cynical, but with facebook being the huge social network it is, what are people really learning about friendship? I have to also note, this book was written well before facebook came into existence. I wonder what the author would say about facebook.

Sophia Institute Press sent me a complimentary copy of this book for me to review. This in no way influenced my review.
2272661
Wonderful book about friendship! Has all the important characteristics of children's books: bright pictures, repetitive phrases, rhyme, and an important take-away - friends help friends . . . and others who need help. Highly recommend for all children's libraries.
2177277
This is a wonderful, important  book for independent reading for children ( about age 8 and above) and for parents to read with their school age children. The author approaches the subject of friendship with warmth,  good humor and expertise and many of  the important aspects of developing and sustaining friendships are reviewed in a meaningful, relevant manner.
994028
This book has some of the most heartfelt, friendship poems and quotes and  puts them on pages of sweet artwork for the young at heart.  I like the  size of the book because it is an easy read (fairly short), but gets the  point across of expounding on just what friends are for, how we need one  another, and how we should treat one another.  It's a lovely gift book for  your closest friends and don't forget to buy one for yourself!...(I do wish  the cost was about half the price though).
172373
Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'In Twenty Years,' A Novel by Allison Winn Scotch.

College is a time to stretch your wings, meet new people and chose a direction in life. The friendships made during this time often last a lifetime. Yet there are times that we also lose touch. In Twenty Years by Allison Winn Scotch we follow a group of six friends from Penn State. Twenty years previous when they were all together they were sure their friendships would last. Held together by Bea, the one they all connected to, life seemed as magical as it could be.

Yet when she dies, the group splinters, they are now leaderless and the ties no longer seem to be enough to hold them. Each find themselves estranged, holding old grudges and feelings they have buried that helps to separate them from the easy camaraderie they once shared.

After twenty years they have agreed to meet again, the five remaining friends on the eve of what would have been Beas 40h birthday. They have all made their way in life and it is with great reluctance they meet. However, such was her influence upon them their promise to Bea twenty years prior binds them to this reunion.

Not knowing what will happen at this meeting, especially without their leader, they soon find they must confront their past, and come to terms with each other in order to heal and move forward. Even with her death, and the pain that came with it, Bea holds them as if she were still there. Can they find the glue that binds them and make the peace that seems to be what their old friend and ally Bea has expected from them even in death?

Scotch has given us a group of friends whose lives have grown and evolved over the years. Allowing hurts and grudges against each other they have unraveled their bond, which makes them very human. She takes us into their lives as well as that of Bea as they travel on the road that destroyed their trust. The telling evokes tears and joy as well as sadness and death. You will find yourself immersed in this group as they come to terms with their own feelings. Scotch pulls us into her story and the outcome seems to be one we need for ourselves.

If you enjoy literary excellence and friendships that last a lifetime, you will want this book for your library. If you enjoy drama and love this will fit the bill.

This would be a great book for both a Reading group or Book club with a great deal of information to decipher and debate.
4876623
I love this little book.  It has a wonderful message of friendship, teaching that not is always as it seems and to give people a chance.  It is a wonderful story of loneliness and how it is overcome.  I also love the illustrations in this book.  The art work along is worth the price of the book several times over.  The text is simple and quite lyrical.  This is a joy to read to the kids in class as well as to the grand children and children at home.  This one has been around for a couple of years and I am quite glad to see it still in print.  This is one of those you will want to buy and keep.  Recommend this one highly.
429383
When Ida May's best friend, Elizabeth Evans, moves away, Ida's life nosedives into depression and isolation. She swears never to have another best friend again --- they're much too painful to lose.

So Ida starts fourth grade without any friends. Her mother tries to set her up with the PTA president's daughter --- the snooty Jenna Drews, who tormented Ida and Elizabeth --- but Ida knows it will never work. How can you be friends with someone who calls you "I-duh"? But to please her parents, she agrees to go to the movies and a sleepover party with Jenna.

Both activities turn out just as Ida expects, with Jenna insulting and rejecting her. But there's one surprise --- a new girl named Stacey Merriweather who has just moved into town and happens to be in the same class as Ida and Jenna. Ida can't help but notice Stacey's huge, friendly smile and senses an instant connection with her. However, Ida fights these feelings with all of her strength; she must remember her vow of no more best friends. They just end up leaving.

Nevertheless, Ida's curiosity gets the best of her. How can she find out more about this stranger without opening herself up for more hurt? She soon figures out a way --- by writing a note yet keeping her identity a secret. Ida scribbles a quick question, signs it "a girl" and leaves it on Stacey's desk. This inspires a secret letter-writing venture that brings light and smiles back into Ida's life. Through the anonymous letters, Ida and Stacey share stories, drawings, jokes and concerns. Without meaning to do so, Ida has slipped into another special friendship. Should Ida risk revealing her true identity?

What a delightful story this is! Julie Bowe has created a thoughtful, funny and realistic look at one girl's struggles with losing her best friend. Readers will quickly bond with Ida, feeling her pain, sharing her hopes and fears, and urging her to open up for a new relationship. The exciting concept of sharing secret letters with a special someone keeps the pages turning fast, and MY LAST BEST FRIEND ends all too soon. We hope to read more from this talented new author.

  --- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman
4421793
A really great book for reading to young people and for young people to read.  The stories are teach compelling lessons about friendship and living.  I recommend it highly.  This collected version is quite nice and would be good for teachers.
2919442
I bought this book for my friend to read to her 2 year old. It's a very cute book about friendship and reading. I think it's a book he will want to read for quite a few years.
2695718
A wonderful book filled with issues of friendship, forgiveness, trust, growth, faith and love. I loved it so much I took it everywhere I went so I could read for just 5 more minutes between appointments.
2050287
This is a stimulating story between close friend who accompanied each other at all times. It was an inspiring and affective book, one of the most impressive stories I have ever read. This is a spectacular book based on the best of friends who went through thrilling and sad striking events together. The theme of this book is based on loneliness, which i really can't relate to but have experienced it before. Everyone experiences loneliness once in a while. The characters played impressive parts and they were all acquainted with the theme. the characters that interested me the most were Lenny and Curley's wife. Lenny was a mentally ill-ed strong man who was dependent of George. Curley's wife was a lonely woman because she never had her husband around and she always stood home alone. She was trying to make friends with the only person she new would talk to her, Lenny. She wasn't aware of Lenny's strength and was murdered because of his fetish towards soft things.

From the reactions i received myself towards this book I give it five stars. This book showed me that everyone feels lonely once in a while but their are others who can experience loneliness in the worst ways of life.
4600853
This simple story with its elegant message depicts the true power of friendship in a wonderful way. I love the simple drawings of the characters-they add fun to the book.
1236344
This was definitely a book I couldn't put down.  It made me laugh, it made me cry and it even made me take a look at my own life and see what's really important.  It shows love and friendship in it's truest form.  The writing was incredible and it is one book that I would highly recommend to anyone.
3387766
I would recommend this book... it was a delightful book about friendship.  All the characters were different and interesting.  All the different plots going made it a fun book to read.  You may not be able to put it down.  Congratulations Danielle Steel fir another good book.
2231591
These stories of unlikely friendships are heart touching. The photography is beautiful and engaging. The paper and printing is of excellent quality. The physical experience with this book is an excellent argument for the physical book vs the e-book.

The layout is ideal for short reads. If you have a few minutes flip through the pages and pick a story to read. A quick lift and often a laugh and smile.

The underlying theme I got was that we all CAN get along together. When the most unexpected can find love and friendship there is hope for the rest of us too. This is an uplifting, interesting and humorous book for me.
4683454
A great story about leaving your comfort zone and a testament to friendship. Beautifully illustrated, it's a journey of what we will risk for a true friend. A wonderful jumping off point for discussions about loyalty, compromise, and courage- a great book to be read over and over again.  We can't wait to jump back into fish and snails book and follow them on their beautiful adventure.