Campfire Mallory by Laurie Friedman - ESSENTIAL

Friedman Laurie Campfire Mallory. 175 pgs. Carolrhoda Books.

Content-G

EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

Mallory McDonald has a best friend, Marry Ann, that she is going to go to sleep-away camp with. They are very excited to go to Camp Green Lake together. The only problem is that they don't get to be in the same cabin and Mallory doesn't like who she gets pared with.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was very fun to read and I enjoyed how it really showed how Mallory was feeling when things didn't go as planned when she goes to sleep-away camp. It was a very cute and fun book.

Student Reviewer: MB

Thanksgiving Rules by Laurie Friedman

Friedman, Laurie Thanksgiving Rules, illustrated by Teresa Murfin. Carolrhoda (Lerner), 2009. $16.95. PICTURE BOOK. Percy Isaac Gifford has a plan – a plan for the most important things about Thanksgiving – eating as much as inhumanly possible! But his rules don’t just apply to eating the food, but also doing what you can to smooth the way to eating as early as possible by being polite, kind and helpful before AND after the meal. Percy is pretty cute and does have some goof tips on being polite, trying everythin in front of you and having a great time with the relatives. It might be a good read aloud to talk about manners for the upcoming holiday. EL – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Birthday Rules by Laurie Friedman -NO

Friedman, Laurie Birthday Rules Carolrhoda Books, 2015. $16.99 PICTURE BOOK
A little boy takes through his rules about what should happen on your birthday, including a party, presents, cake, looking good, and that Today is all about you. It ends with a poem about growing older.
This book only works for kids who have the ability to have it all on their birthday, a big party with presents and food and friends. Not every child or every family can provide this. I didn’t enjoy how it promotes an ego-centric mindset for kids: Today is all about you! There are a ton of words that make it difficult for a young reader or even a child listening to the story being read: Prophetic, wondrous, benefits, mantra, and many more. I don’t think students will care for the growing older poem at the end, it felt like a lecture from a grownup. The illustrations are fun and bright and cute, with harmonious colors and a slight hint of collage.
EL(K-3)  –NOT RECOMMENDED Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Can You Say Catastrophe? by Laurie Friedman - OPTIONAL

Friedman, Laurie Can You Say Catastrophe? 151 pgs. Darby Creek, 2013 $17.95 Content: Language PG (1 swear): Mature Content  PG (nudity) Violence G (none) 

April Sinclair has a problem with her parents and her two sisters, May and June. April has a huge attitude problem and she is not very nice to her family. She gets in trouble a lot and is grateful for her two best friends Billy and Brynn. She can’t wait till school is out and she can go to summer camp with her friends. A cute boy, Matt Parker, next door complicates things for her as she is trying to impress him. After a few weeks of attitude problems her parents inform her that she will not be going to summer camp, but instead will spend some bonding time with her family on a road trip, in the Clunker, to Florida. Will life ever get any better for miserable April? Will April be able to re-bond with her family and have a change in her attitude?   

MS - OPTIONAL     Reviewer: Ellen-Anita

Angel Girl by Laurie Friedman

Friedman, Laurie Angel Girl illustrated by Ofra Amit, 32 pgs. Carolrhoda Books, 2008. PICTURE BOOK. $16.95. 

Absolutely amazing. It is the true story of a boy, Herman, who during World War II was forced to work in a labor camp in Germany at the age of 11. Day by day he loses hope until one day his "angel girl" appears on the other side of the fence. She brings him an apple every day, at great risk to both of them. At last, Herman is liberated from the camp and starts a new life in America, never able to forget the past or his angel girl. Miraculously, he meets his angel girl on a blind date and soon after they marry. 

This book brought out an array of emotions from beginning to end. Despair. Sorrow. Pain. Hope. Happiness. Love. Every word tugs at your heart. The authors use of short, quick sentences and the illustrators long, sad pictures will make this story one that you will remember a lifetime. 

EL/MS/HS- ESSENTIAL. Whitney, Library-Teacher.

Angel Girl by Laurie Friedman - ESSENTIAL

IMPORTANT UPDATE: This book has been revealed to be fiction - it is NOT based on a true story, and thus should be treated as such, severely weakening its appeal. Too bad the man and his wife didn't tell the truth from the start.

Friedman, Lauire Angel Girl, illustrations by Ofra Amit. Carolrhoda (Lerner), 2008. PICTURE BOOK.

EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

Based on a true story. A young man is separated from his family and thrown into a concentration camp during World War II. He only manages to survive with apples given to him by a girl from the other side of the fence. After liberation, he leaves for America, leaving his angel girl behind forever. Then one day he is set up on a blind date with a young woman who may just be his angel girl.

I dare you to read this book without tearing up. There are so many Holocaust stories which need to be told and this one is packaged perfectly fir any age to appreciate.

Cindy, Library-Teacher

Love or Something Like It by Laurie Friedman-OPTIONAL

Friedman, Laurie, Love or Something Like It. Pgs. 174. Darbyceek, 2015. $17.95. Language: G, Mature Content: PG, Violence: G 

 

Ever since Matt and April officially became an item, she has been getting the third degree from her family and friends. It’s all been worth it until, as Spring Break comes to a close, Matt is hot and cold about their relationship. One minute he’s sweet and attractive, the next, he acts as if she doesn’t exist. She wants everything to be great between them, but isn’t sure if Matt feels the same way. As summer approaches and her friends make plans to go to camp, April feels torn between her friends and her boyfriend. Which will she choose?  

 

The characters are hard to buy into and a lot of the dynamics between them feels forced. The plot is simple, but draws the reader into April’s world despite the lack of character depth. Overall, reluctant readers who enjoy realistic fiction, romance, and friendship stories will probably enjoy reading this book. MS, HS. OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Jessica M, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High.