The Power of Friendship
590814
I loved this story. Galactic Shade Griffin is a teen girl who deals with some serious issues, from bullying at various schools she's attended, to having a drug and alcohol addicted mom, to cutting herself to break through the numbness in her heart. Just when she starts to feel normal and make what seems to be lasting and healthy friendships (even though one friend is a ghost!) her best friend disappears.

Shade has to find Annie and enlists the help of her two journalist friends from the high school newspaper. More girls are stolen and soon it looks like they have an even more evil plot afoot than they feared. With the help of a psychic and some otherworldly advice, maybe the budding journalists can crack the case. Or can they? Will Shade be a victim, or a hero?

This awesome book touched on several topics that teen girls face in today's society. Important topics such as body image and peer bullying should be as brilliantly drawn in all teen literature. The author does an excellent job of drawing the reader in and making the trials of her heroine real and relatable. I'll definitely recommend this story to others, and will be reading other books by this author for sure!
4924573
Everyone can benefit from increasing the friendships in their life. Tracy Klehn shows you how to nurture and grow those relationships. This practical book is a great resources. In the opening pages, Tracy writes, "My goal is to help women like you--women who are short on time and low on energy--to find and develop their circle of friends, because I truly believe this is God's lifeline for women. I will do this by sharing heartfelt stories, creative ideas, scriptural prayers, and inspiring quotes. Using the analogy of making a daisy chain crown (yes, the kind you used to make and wear when you were a little girl!). I walk you through the specific stages of friendship...You can download the FREE study guide for GROWING FRIENDSHIPS  at [...]

What a powerful resource for building more special relationships. I highly recommend this valuable tool.
2235665
We don't know how our life will play out but friendship and family is so important! We all have an important role to play and this book encapsulated the bond of the human spirit! Wonderful read!! Looking forward to the next book in the series
1794863
In Margaret Welwoods childrens book Marie and Mr. Bee, Marieand all the children who read about herlearn that all play doesnt necessarily mean all fun. At the same time, Mr. Beeand all the children who read about himlearn the value of friendship and forgiveness.
Thanks to an engaging story, complemented by delightful illustrations, young readers will be so busy turning pages they won't even realize they're taking in some of lifes most valuable truths. All sorts of important ideas pop up while Marie and her friends play and work in the forest: the power of choice, the treasure of friendship, the capabilities of disabled children, what kindness looks like. Lots of things to talk about after story-time. Lots to talk about after story-time.
Children, parents, and teachers will be glad to find that Marie and Mr. Bee confirms again the power of great-story-telling to open up our world, teach us, and help us grow.
3399422
This book shows a great example of how to be an excepting friend to those who are different. Great for children! The illustrations are fun too!
2357989
The book is not only entertaining, but it teaches a lesson.  It teaches children to seek friendships where they are accepted for who they are, and not try to change for someone else.
2153461
Of Mice and Men is a powerful story about the importance of friendship and its power to provide hope in an otherwise lonely world. Steinbeck does a great job of portraying a slice of life in depression-era America, along with the static world of being a migrant worker. His main character, George, is very well written. His hopes and dreams are quintessentially American. He hopes for his life to "go" somewhere; for him to have some narrative of material betterment throughout his life, a quintessentially American mindset which we often overlook because we imbibe in it so deeply. In many ways, this mindset is its own cause of anguish for the ranch hands. Unlike the lighthearted poverty of, say, a Bob Cratchit, these characters do not want to try and simply live a dignified life with family and community even if they live quite poorly. Rather, they alienate themselves from each other through their collective hopes for a "better" future, thereby making the present a part of their lives that exists in a lonely vacuum. George and Lenny's quite unorthodox friendship is very powerful; it makes this vacuum much more bearable.
4471842
This story is very interesting for me. I had just enough time to read this book . This story is a great way to get the reader to understand the importance of friendship.
2797776
Wonderful book that talks about friendship.  It has figurative language which helps you go into deeper discussions with your kids.
1663707
Our protagonist earned her genuine friendships through good character, positive attitude and faith.  These same friends blossomed into earth angels as she succumbed to years of medical failures and chemotherapy.  This book is a smart gift for cancer patients and families supporting them, but also any disillusioned folks who may wonder if traditional American neighborhood values have been lost in these busy me-first times.  The reader gains insights to how a real community of friends maintain a strong sorority and support system that uplifts their friend back to health and significantly improves her emotional and social well-being when family life struggled as much as her physical & mental health.  Good to know solid American communities exist these transient days in our culture.  By writing her book, Christine Handy not only reveals her inner turmoil but shines the light upon humble humans rallying together for one person's battle. Handy pays it forward when each reader finishes her book or when she speaks to groups nationwide. I am grateful to have met and befriended the author and expect readers will feel the same upon buying her books.
1524523
Before Everything by Victoria Redel is a celebration of friendship and love between a group of women, "the Old Friends", who come together to confront life, love, and now death.

"The Old Friends" - that is what Anna, Molly, Ming, Caroline, and Helen have been calling themselves since sixth grade. The story revolves around Anna, the trailblazer of the group, who has just entered hospice with cancer and is ready to die, but her friends want her to fight for her life. Now they have all come together, by Anna's side, and are reminiscing about past mistakes, secrets, adventures, and love - each one sharing their own personal story of friendship they have with Anna. Walk with them as they learn to cope with saying goodbye to their old friend. This novel is moving, funny, powerful, and a testimony to love, bravery, and friendship.

*I want to thank Penguin First Reads for the ARC.
2793934
Great illustrations.  Teaches that not all friends are the same or have the same skills.  Teaches how to be a friend and what friends do for each other.
477730
Not enough books, movies and television shows are about friendship, in my opinion, so I enjoyed this tale of three life-long pals who were truly there for one another, in both personal and professional ways. I even felt a bit jealous! What a gift to have friends like that. And what a nice thing to read about. I also enjoyed the scenes of what I think of as "old" NYC---all those iconic venues. Yes, perhaps the male characters were a bit *too* good-to-be-true, but this is a book by and about and for women so it's normal that the men take second place. Have fun with it. You may even feel inspired to start your own business!
1146857
This is such a wonderful book for children (and adults) of all ages.  It reminds us of the importance of friendships of those around us and those far away.  It's also a lesson in overcoming preconceived notions about others.  Beautifully written and with whimsical illustrations, it's an absolute pleasure to read!
4197471
This is a wonderful book! I was a little put off at first because it looked like the print was a little smaller than most of the books I read, plus it was quite long! However, once I started reading, I got hooked and couldn't put it down! I wanted it to keep going when I was finished! It shows how very important real friendships are!
I don't think you'd be sorry if you purchased this book! It is great!
747895
This book digs deep into the lives of two children just trying to make it in a world where everyone sees them as outcasts. The slow start to friendship is quite clear and gripping as we see Jesse struggle with his ability to allow a girl, someone that beats him at something he is supposed to be the best at, enter his life and transform his world.

This is a great book about a friendship that goes slowly, and ends too quickly. Wonderful fantasy lies within which will surely make your children want to create their own Terabithia.
4720796
Authors Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant have penned a wonderful novel that weaves a friendship between three unlikely college students, Carmen, Jewell and Regina.  Coming from three totally different backgrounds, the girls' first impression of each other was not enough to make them believe they could be friends, much less roommates through college.

The one thing about family is you cannot pick and choose who is related to you, but when it comes to friendship you can accept a person or leave them alone.  In this beautiful story of friendship, the young ladies prove what friendship is really all about.  Flaws, idiosyncrasies and other things we would not normally put up with, these young ladies go above and beyond the call of friendship, having each other's backs and being there for one another through life's twists and turns, ups and downs and the crazy things that Regina put Carmen and Jewell through.  Men, parties, drugs, foolish decisions, these young ladies remained friends through college and beyond, celebrating life and each other's accomplishments. Unfortunately as life would have it, death is inevitable, and through it all, these friends remained tied together, even when facing this life-altering situation.

I have not read Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant's other books, but I plan to because I found Better Than I Know Myself to be a very good read, one I could not put down until it was finished.

Reviewed By Sharel E. Gordon-Love

APOOO Book Club