Friendship is important to everyone, and sometimes we all need a little nudge to help us make some adjustments in our attitude and behavior in this arena.
If someone is a bit of an outcast, do we avoid them like so many others do? Do we cooperate with our friends or do we expect them to allow us to be center stage at all times? Do we stick to friends that are exactly like us, or do we make equal room for people who are not?
Friendship has a lot to do with kindness and hope. Kids need to learn that kindness towards friends is important and goes a long way. Hope is always a part of friendship, too — we hope to have good friends, to maintain those friendships, and meet more friends along the way.
The books reviewed today address friendship in three different ways, providing different perspectives. Take a look for yourself; it’s good stuff.
Books to borrow
The following book is available at many public libraries.
“Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia” by Barbara O’Connor, Farrar Straus Giroux, 122 pages
Read aloud: age 9 and older.
Read yourself: age 9 and older.
The moment Bird saw the new kid, Harlem Tate, she knew they were a lot alike — misunderstood, treated like dirt, and avoided by just about everyone. Bird could tell Harlem needed a friend just as much as she did, so she made it her mission to be his friend, no matter what it might take. It wouldn’t be easy, though; Harlem had a thick, protective wall around himself.
When the state spelling bee was announced with some big prizes for the winners, Bird asked Harlem to be her partner. Reluctant at first, he finally agreed, and they began to study together every day. Their command of spelling grew, and so did their friendship. When the day of the spelling bee arrived, neither one had any idea that they’d come away with the best prize of all — true friendship.
Fast, funny, and full of moments that tug at the heart, this selection excels.
Librarian’s choice
Library: Robesonia Community Library, 75 South Brooke St., Robesonia
Interim director: Leah Ruth
Youth services coordinator: Leah Ruth
Choices this week: “Stellaluna” by Janell Cannon; “Diary of a Worm” by Doreen Cronin; “Sarah, Plain and Tall” by Patricia MacLachlan
Books to buy
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.
“Shy Robin and the First Day of School,” written and illustrated by Jaime Kim, Candlewick, 2023, 36 pages, $17.99 hardcover
Read aloud: age 3 – 7.
Read yourself: age 6 – 7.
Robin’s mom tells her she is a brave animal, and at home that’s exactly how she behaves. But when she goes out in public, it’s a different story — she becomes very shy.
On the first day of school, Robin just wants to hide. Her mom tells her she will be fine and gives Robin a pretty headband that makes Robin feel more confident. But as soon as Robin enters the classroom, her shyness returns. She can barely squeak out her name at circle time, and then she hears another student who is even quieter than Robin, and this makes her feel a bit braver.
When Robin loses her headband, she is very upset, but the shy boy tells her he will help her look for it. When the two discover the lost headband, a friendship is made.
And while the two are still the shyest in the class, when they’re together, “We can also be the bravest!”
Delightfully written and illustrated, “Shy Robin and the First Day of School” is certain to resonate with children who have had to find their own courage to face their fears, at school and beyond.
“The Together Tree” by Aisha Saeed, illustrated by LeUyen Pham, Salaam Reads, 2023, 36 pages, $18.99 hardcover
Read aloud: age 4 – 8.
Read yourself: age 7 – 8.
On the first warm day of spring, Rumi joined Ms. Garza’s class. His new classmates stared at Rumi while Rumi stared out the window. At recess, the other kids played with each other, just as they’d been doing throughout the school year. Rumi went off by himself and sat under a shady old willow tree, twirling a stick in the dirt. Three classmates came over and made fun of Rumi. Rumi did his best to ignore them, but he was deeply hurt all the same.
The bullying continued until someone threw a pebble and cut Rumi’s knee. The bullies had gone too far, and what followed were apologies and an offer to play together. It was then that the children discovered what Rumi had been doing under the willow tree — he had created a place where they could all be together.
A moving story, “The Together Tree” is ultimately one that teaches kindness and how to include everyone.
Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children’s literature. She can be reached at kendal.rautzhan27@gmail.com.
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