Guest Author - Diana Pederson

The new Friends for a Season book series by Sandra Byrd are written for girls in grades five through eight. Each book has a solid Christian message and includes Megan learning new spiritual values. The characters reflect concerns about life that are realistic for their age group.

Sandra Byrd. Island Girl. Bethany House. 2005

Megan is visiting her grandmother’s farm in Oregon. This summer, she needs to decide how she fits into her family which includes her mother, step-father and a soon to arrive new baby. She needs to decide if she will return to her family or live with her grandmother on the farm after the summer is over. Megan’s Father is an Army Colonel based away from Oregon at this time.

While at the farm, Megan learns that a new man has been hired to run the farm for her grandmother. Megan had been counting on her father coming home for this job. The new family is Hispanic. Megan develops a friendship with Tia, the daughter of the farm manager. Together they develop a business selling “smoothies” made from farm fresh fruit.

Megan struggles to deal with her family, learn about the Hispanic culture, and ultimately, learn to live her Christian beliefs.

Sandra Byrd. Chopstick. Bethany House. 2005

Paige and Kate, both thirteen, star in this book. They have both entered a musical contest to win money. The book alternates between the two characters, each presenting their own background and sharing about their friendship. Their fathers work for the same company that is forced to cut back its workforce.

This story has two themes: the father’s continuing and changing employment situations, and the girls’ friendship. Throughout the story, trusting in God’s provision is the ultimate goal.

Two additional books in this series will shortly be available.

Sandra Byrd. Red Velvet. Bethany House. Released December 2005.

Quinn Miller and her family are heading for a six week stay at Anderson house, a home for people going through cancer treatment. They are trying an experimental drug on her mother’s cancer. Learn about her new friend Annie, whose family is also struggling with a cancer diagnosis. 2 Corinthians 2:14–16 is learned throughout this story.

Sandra Byrd. Daisy Chains. Bethany House. Release date: March 2006.

Rachel and Haley, both age 13, are cousins of a soon to be bride and groom respectfully. The bride is Messianic Jewish and the groom is not. These girls spend six weeks leading up to the wedding exploring their individual faiths and observing the bride and groom. This story promises to be exciting and educational.

Recommendation

Byrd’s ability to weave a story will keep your middle school girls eager to read more. They’re easy to read, have realistic characters living with concerns typical of their age group, and have fascinating story themes. They are sure to please anyone on your Christmas shopping list falling in this age group. The first 3 in the series are available now at amazon.com. Perhaps you could give an I.O.U. for the 4th in the series which will be available in March.