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A Life of Bright Ideas
A secret tore best friends Evelyn “Button” Peters and Winnalee Malone apart. Now, nearly a decade later, a secret brings them back together.
Nine years ago Button and Winnalee began recording observations in their Book of Bright Ideas, a tome they believed would solve the mystery of how to live a mistake-free life. Now it’s 1970, a time of peace, love, war, and personal heartbreak. Button’s mother is dead and her grieving father has all but abandoned his children. Quiet, thoughtful Button has traded college for a sewing job in her mother’s bridal shop to help her Aunt Verdella raise her whirlwind six-year-old brother. In Button’s free time, she writes letters to the boy she loved from afar through high school, hoping he will come to love her as more than a friend.
Then, like that magical Wisconsin summer of ’61, Button is greeted with the wild, gusty arrival of Winnalee. Now a beautiful flower child, Winnalee is everything Button is not. She’s been to Woodstock and enjoys “free love,” but their steadfast bond of friendship is tested as Button begins to notice the cracks in Winnalee’s carefree façade. And then Winnalee’s mother arrives with a surprise that Button never sees coming, and the fiery determination to put things right in both families once and for all.
Nine years ago Button and Winnalee began recording observations in their Book of Bright Ideas, a tome they believed would solve the mystery of how to live a mistake-free life. Now it’s 1970, a time of peace, love, war, and personal heartbreak. Button’s mother is dead and her grieving father has all but abandoned his children. Quiet, thoughtful Button has traded college for a sewing job in her mother’s bridal shop to help her Aunt Verdella raise her whirlwind six-year-old brother. In Button’s free time, she writes letters to the boy she loved from afar through high school, hoping he will come to love her as more than a friend.
Then, like that magical Wisconsin summer of ’61, Button is greeted with the wild, gusty arrival of Winnalee. Now a beautiful flower child, Winnalee is everything Button is not. She’s been to Woodstock and enjoys “free love,” but their steadfast bond of friendship is tested as Button begins to notice the cracks in Winnalee’s carefree façade. And then Winnalee’s mother arrives with a surprise that Button never sees coming, and the fiery determination to put things right in both families once and for all.
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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1123 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
May 8, 2012
Liked the story. Was frequently annoyed (especially later in the book) by things someone should have caught: a chapter opening "When I was kid" with the "a" a left out; someone seeing a character coming toward them, but then in the next paragraph that character hadn't gotten out of the car yet; referring to Button's car as the van when she's taking Winnalee to work because her van is broken; having a scene take place downstairs but then writing that they heard a car horn downstairs. Things like that. Not enough to ruin the story for me, but enough to pull me out of the moment and go "Wait a minute!"
July 1, 2012
Sandra Kring’s The Book of Bright Ideas is one of my favorite books, so when I saw Kring recently wrote a sequel called A Life of Bright Ideas, I didn’t hesitate to purchase it immediately on my kindle.
The novel picks up seven years after the first ends, and instead of the main characters being little girls, they’re now teenagers. As much as I wanted to know what happened to the characters that I loved so much in the first novel, I think the age of the characters hindered the novel. Kring has the ability to write beautifully from a child’s perspective and that was greatly missed in the second. I found myself missing and wishing for the magic and whimsy of the first.
The first novel was so good, maybe I had my expectations too high for the second. The characters, although they are the same as before, didn’t feel quite as endearing to me as they were the first time around. I still think that Kring does a great job of creating a believable, small-town community, but something about this novel felt a lot less organic than the first.
Much of this novel felt forced and overly-constructed. And some parts were so rushed that I was left disappointed. Especially concerning the main character and her relationship with the man she eventually marries. It was obvious throughout the novel that she was going to end up with the guy, but how they actually ended up together was only briefly mentioned. That, along with a couple other relationships, were never addressed in a way that I found satisfactory.
I also feel like many of the major conflicts in the novel were solved far too easily. I enjoy happy endings, ad this was the kind of novel that required one, but it bothered me that some things happened so easily.
Quite honestly, I’ve thought about rereading the first of these novels many times because it’s the perfect summer book, but I don’t think I’ll ever reread the second. I’m glad I read the sequel, but it simply didn’t live up to the first. Meh. Sad day.
The novel picks up seven years after the first ends, and instead of the main characters being little girls, they’re now teenagers. As much as I wanted to know what happened to the characters that I loved so much in the first novel, I think the age of the characters hindered the novel. Kring has the ability to write beautifully from a child’s perspective and that was greatly missed in the second. I found myself missing and wishing for the magic and whimsy of the first.
The first novel was so good, maybe I had my expectations too high for the second. The characters, although they are the same as before, didn’t feel quite as endearing to me as they were the first time around. I still think that Kring does a great job of creating a believable, small-town community, but something about this novel felt a lot less organic than the first.
Much of this novel felt forced and overly-constructed. And some parts were so rushed that I was left disappointed. Especially concerning the main character and her relationship with the man she eventually marries. It was obvious throughout the novel that she was going to end up with the guy, but how they actually ended up together was only briefly mentioned. That, along with a couple other relationships, were never addressed in a way that I found satisfactory.
I also feel like many of the major conflicts in the novel were solved far too easily. I enjoy happy endings, ad this was the kind of novel that required one, but it bothered me that some things happened so easily.
Quite honestly, I’ve thought about rereading the first of these novels many times because it’s the perfect summer book, but I don’t think I’ll ever reread the second. I’m glad I read the sequel, but it simply didn’t live up to the first. Meh. Sad day.
February 26, 2012
In 1961, Button and Winnalee became best friends. Two very different little girls, they were drawn together by life's circumstances. Opposites attracting, they complimented each other. Together they began recording life lessons, titling it, "The Book of Bright Ideas". The purpose was to learn from not only their mistakes, but from observing those of others.
It is now 1970, and the girls are reunited when Winnalee suddenly appears in the small northern Wisconsin town, again. Though grown, time and distance have not diminished their friendship. While Button remains cautious and reserved, Winnalee is still free-spirited and bold.
Button's mother is now gone, killed in a freak accident. Her father has emotionally detached, isolating himself in guilt and grief. Aunt Verdella is helping to raise Button's wild six year old brother. Together, the two friends
settle into the family home across the road from Button's Aunt Verdella, the fractured family somehow stronger now.
Button is working in her mother's bridal shop as a talented seamstress. Winnalee finds work at a local tavern with a bad reputation. Yet both girls are happy in finding their way together, again. Button is writing to a boy from high school, now serving overseas in the military. Winnalee has created a carefree social life through her job.
All seems bright until Winnalee's mother suddenly comes to town, bringing with her a secret that changes everything. Families and friendships are tested. Everyone must face things hidden within themselves and those they love, in order to heal and move toward a better future.
Sandra Kring captures the spirit of the time period in both Button and Winnalee. Her writing of the events of the time: free love, war, women's rights, and values are honest. She is sensitive in her portrayal of families dealing with death, abuse, and secrets within. A family is made up of flesh and blood, but connected by hearts. Absence can make hearts grow fonder, and time can make them grow stronger.
This book is both heartbreaking and an utter joy. You will laugh, you will cry, sometimes simultaneously. You will not forget the characters, their story, or Sandra Kring; nor should you.
It is now 1970, and the girls are reunited when Winnalee suddenly appears in the small northern Wisconsin town, again. Though grown, time and distance have not diminished their friendship. While Button remains cautious and reserved, Winnalee is still free-spirited and bold.
Button's mother is now gone, killed in a freak accident. Her father has emotionally detached, isolating himself in guilt and grief. Aunt Verdella is helping to raise Button's wild six year old brother. Together, the two friends
settle into the family home across the road from Button's Aunt Verdella, the fractured family somehow stronger now.
Button is working in her mother's bridal shop as a talented seamstress. Winnalee finds work at a local tavern with a bad reputation. Yet both girls are happy in finding their way together, again. Button is writing to a boy from high school, now serving overseas in the military. Winnalee has created a carefree social life through her job.
All seems bright until Winnalee's mother suddenly comes to town, bringing with her a secret that changes everything. Families and friendships are tested. Everyone must face things hidden within themselves and those they love, in order to heal and move toward a better future.
Sandra Kring captures the spirit of the time period in both Button and Winnalee. Her writing of the events of the time: free love, war, women's rights, and values are honest. She is sensitive in her portrayal of families dealing with death, abuse, and secrets within. A family is made up of flesh and blood, but connected by hearts. Absence can make hearts grow fonder, and time can make them grow stronger.
This book is both heartbreaking and an utter joy. You will laugh, you will cry, sometimes simultaneously. You will not forget the characters, their story, or Sandra Kring; nor should you.
January 22, 2012
"It's weird, though, how I never noticed until a few minutes ago, that this isn't one thick root, like I thought it was. Look. It's made up of many roots entwined together." (Kring, p. 385)
That quote captures the powerful relationships at work in Kring's newest novel, A LIFE OF BRIGHT IDEAS. Readers who fell in love with Winnalee and Button will be thrilled to revisit their friendship 9 years after they last parted in THE BOOK OF BRIGHT IDEAS. Many things have changed in both Winnalee and Button's life, but the bonds of friendship are strong as ever. I was so encouraged by Kring's portrait of strong female characters and the struggles real women face; love, body image, loss, motherhood and forgiveness. I have to say that the 6 year wait to be back in Dauber was worth it. Kring has a talent that cannot easily be described. Her dialogue is rich; mixing humor and depth perfectly. She weaves a story that compels a reader to keep turning pages. Kring makes us feel the story in our hearts, because she feels it in hers. I am so happy to have spent time back in Dauber with the girls and to see how everything turned out. What a gift, a masterpiece, Kring gave to her faithful fans. I highly recommend A LIFE OF BRIGHT IDEAS!!!!
That quote captures the powerful relationships at work in Kring's newest novel, A LIFE OF BRIGHT IDEAS. Readers who fell in love with Winnalee and Button will be thrilled to revisit their friendship 9 years after they last parted in THE BOOK OF BRIGHT IDEAS. Many things have changed in both Winnalee and Button's life, but the bonds of friendship are strong as ever. I was so encouraged by Kring's portrait of strong female characters and the struggles real women face; love, body image, loss, motherhood and forgiveness. I have to say that the 6 year wait to be back in Dauber was worth it. Kring has a talent that cannot easily be described. Her dialogue is rich; mixing humor and depth perfectly. She weaves a story that compels a reader to keep turning pages. Kring makes us feel the story in our hearts, because she feels it in hers. I am so happy to have spent time back in Dauber with the girls and to see how everything turned out. What a gift, a masterpiece, Kring gave to her faithful fans. I highly recommend A LIFE OF BRIGHT IDEAS!!!!
May 28, 2014
I enjoyed the sequel to A Life Of Bright Ideas. It was a fun, light-hearted read about best friends, and all the good and not so good times they shared. Often, I laughed right out loud. It's nice to read a book that has humor in it. If you liked the movie "My Girl" or "Now And Then" you'll love this novel set in the 1970s!
July 17, 2024
Much love for this two book series. So glad the author decided to finish writing about the lives of Button and Winnalee. This book starts 9 years after Winnalee and Freeda leave Button, Jewel, Aunt Verdella and Reece. Button has gained a little brother but has lost her mother when her bestest friend in the whole wide world shows up on her doorstep again; only this time she’s much more worldly and twice as wild having gone to Woodstock, knowledgeable in sex, and very free with sharing it. Great book; gonna miss those girls!
October 15, 2025
Would have probably liked this book better if I had read the prequel to it first. This is the story of Winnalee & Button, two friends who could not be more different. It is a story of small town life & what it means to be family. I think I would have liked the book bit better if it had been edited down a bit. At 450 pages, it was a bit wordy.
January 24, 2015
After reading The Book of Bright Ideas by Sandra Kring, I was excited to see she had this sequel in the works. From the sound of it, I thought I'd like this book even more. On first starting A Life of Bright Ideas though, I thought to myself that you just can't force a sequel.
After a slow and rocky beginning, the story kicked in and grabbed a hold. Set in the 1960's, we see Button and Winnalee reunited as they come into adulthood. At times, I thought Winnalee was a pest, and trouble and I wondered how Button could stand having her around, best friend or not. As the story progressed, Winnalee's troubles arrived and eventually she learned to handle them like an adult instead of run away from them.
The story held my attention very well and I enjoyed it. It seemed to depict the time pretty well. I added it to my Wisconsin shelf because it was set in Wisconsin, though it could have been most anywhere, there were only a few mentions to let you know where you were. The thing that is most impressive about A Life of Bright Ideas is the way it makes you realize a family can be an odd mixture of people and still work, and work well. I rounded up from 4.5 stars on this one.
After a slow and rocky beginning, the story kicked in and grabbed a hold. Set in the 1960's, we see Button and Winnalee reunited as they come into adulthood. At times, I thought Winnalee was a pest, and trouble and I wondered how Button could stand having her around, best friend or not. As the story progressed, Winnalee's troubles arrived and eventually she learned to handle them like an adult instead of run away from them.
The story held my attention very well and I enjoyed it. It seemed to depict the time pretty well. I added it to my Wisconsin shelf because it was set in Wisconsin, though it could have been most anywhere, there were only a few mentions to let you know where you were. The thing that is most impressive about A Life of Bright Ideas is the way it makes you realize a family can be an odd mixture of people and still work, and work well. I rounded up from 4.5 stars on this one.
February 11, 2012
A Life of Bright Ideas: A Novel
by: Sandra Kring
I won this book on Goodreads/First Reads
I can't say enough about how much I liked this book. It brings up so many things. Sandra Kring does such a wonderful job writting such great characters. I kept reading this character and that character and thinking "I have an aunt just like that" and "I remember when so-and-so did that" and "my mother" use to say things like that. It really touches your heart. This book is about friends finding each other again and finding ones way of making sense of the world and becoming grown-up.
I highly recommend this book to anyone. You will certainly enjoy it and if your family is anything like mine, you will definitely relate to all the characters.
by: Sandra Kring
I won this book on Goodreads/First Reads
I can't say enough about how much I liked this book. It brings up so many things. Sandra Kring does such a wonderful job writting such great characters. I kept reading this character and that character and thinking "I have an aunt just like that" and "I remember when so-and-so did that" and "my mother" use to say things like that. It really touches your heart. This book is about friends finding each other again and finding ones way of making sense of the world and becoming grown-up.
I highly recommend this book to anyone. You will certainly enjoy it and if your family is anything like mine, you will definitely relate to all the characters.
July 18, 2014
This is a worthwhile sequel in which we are given a satisfying conclusion to the questions we had following our reading of the Book of Bright Ideas. This story is not quite as sweet and endearing as the first book but it was fun to visit many of these characters again. Verdella and Uncle Rudy are priceless and I want to live with them. If you have read the first book this book is definitely worthwhile. If you haven't read the first book- Get your sorry ass to the bookstore and pick up a copy now- or I 'll sit on you! Seriously, if you are looking for well written stories that make you feel good then I recommend these books to you. Thanks to my sister for introducing me to Button and Winnalee. :)
February 7, 2012
Button and Winnalee shared a long ago summer, a summer that emotionally impacted their lives. Kring does such a fantastic job of evoking the sixties, from a hippie van, to Woodstock, peasant dresses and music. After nine years Winnalee returns, reunites with Button and once again they are fantastic firends, remembering the past and trying to find a future. There were, however, secrets in the past and they resurface in the present changing their lives once again. Alternately funny, Buttons six year old brother is a stitch, and sad this is a very entertaining book about growing up and finding ones way forward.
March 1, 2016
I had no idea until just now that this book is the sequel in a set! Ah well, because honestly you don't need to read The Book of Bright Ideas to be able to keep up with this. Obviously, since I had no idea previously that it was a sequel.
It was a good, quick, lighthearted read which is sometimes just nice in and of itself. If you enjoy My Girl, then I think you'll really enjoy this. It has that same laid back 60s/70s kind of vibe going on. Recommended if you want some good squishy bff reading.
It was a good, quick, lighthearted read which is sometimes just nice in and of itself. If you enjoy My Girl, then I think you'll really enjoy this. It has that same laid back 60s/70s kind of vibe going on. Recommended if you want some good squishy bff reading.
August 28, 2016
I loved The Book of Bright Ideas so I was thrilled to find out there was a sequel. Much as I wanted to, I just didn't like it as much. Maybe it was because it was no longer being told from a child's point of view. I'm not sure. I found this book forced and contrived. The being said, it was an enjoyable read and I was happy to find out what "happened" to all my favorite characters from the first book
March 9, 2017
I'm actually glad that I stuck with this book to the end. It turned out better than I thought it would. There were characters that I couldn't stand, and still can't, but all in all it was a good read. It makes me wish that I had a friendship like Winnalee and Button while I was growing up, and even now. And glad that I don't have a little brother like Boohoo.
March 21, 2016
Really good follow-up to Book of Bright Ideas. Great read
May 11, 2020
This had a very slow start for me. I almost gave up on it. About halfway through I finally got into it and enjoyed it from then on.
I didn’t realize there was a book before this; perhaps I would’ve liked it more had I read the first book first. Perhaps that’s why I couldn’t figure out who Freeda was or who raised Winnalee.
I enjoyed Freeda’s no nonsense character. Winnalee’s escapades, oh my. The naked dance in the kitchen with 4 women of different generations and different body types had me laughing out loud— especially when Fanny burst in on them!! That was my favorite chapter by far.
I’m glad Button and Tommy finally got together and that Button and her dad finally reconciled their relationship, and that her dad found love again. And that Winnalee rose to the occasion to raise her daughter. And that Button used her inheritance to buy and transform her mom‘s bridal shop, allowing her and Freeda and Winnalee to use their talents and make a living at the same time. And to imagine Winnalee and Button raising daughters of similar age and Winnalee with an engagement ring on her finger… ahhh. However with all of that said, the book wrapped up a little too neatly and perfectly at the end. I guess there were just too many happy endings and it seemed too fairytale-like.
I didn’t realize there was a book before this; perhaps I would’ve liked it more had I read the first book first. Perhaps that’s why I couldn’t figure out who Freeda was or who raised Winnalee.
I enjoyed Freeda’s no nonsense character. Winnalee’s escapades, oh my. The naked dance in the kitchen with 4 women of different generations and different body types had me laughing out loud— especially when Fanny burst in on them!! That was my favorite chapter by far.
I’m glad Button and Tommy finally got together and that Button and her dad finally reconciled their relationship, and that her dad found love again. And that Winnalee rose to the occasion to raise her daughter. And that Button used her inheritance to buy and transform her mom‘s bridal shop, allowing her and Freeda and Winnalee to use their talents and make a living at the same time. And to imagine Winnalee and Button raising daughters of similar age and Winnalee with an engagement ring on her finger… ahhh. However with all of that said, the book wrapped up a little too neatly and perfectly at the end. I guess there were just too many happy endings and it seemed too fairytale-like.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2023
A Life of Bright Ideas is Sandra Kring’s sequel to The Book of Bright Ideas. My book club read the first book many years ago, and I have been unable to forget the image of a little girl (Winnalee) carrying around the urn with her dead mother’s ashes. This book takes place 9 years later in 1970. Button has graduated high school and taken a job sewing in a wedding shop. She feels obligated to stay close to home to help raise her 6-year-old brother since her mother died a few years earlier and her father has all but abandoned his family. Her Aunt Verdella lives next door and helps raise her brother, Boo-hoo (named because he cries for sympathy.) Then her old friend, Winnalee Malone, drives into town and decides to stay for the summer. Winnalee is everything that quiet, shy Button is not. She has been to Woodstock, believes in free love and is determined to loosen up Button.
This sounds like it would be a predictable book, but there were a lot of surprising plot twists. I enjoyed the timeframe and all the pop culture mentions. Although there were a lot of mistakes and bad decisions made by both girls, a lot of family problems are resolved by the book’s end.
This sounds like it would be a predictable book, but there were a lot of surprising plot twists. I enjoyed the timeframe and all the pop culture mentions. Although there were a lot of mistakes and bad decisions made by both girls, a lot of family problems are resolved by the book’s end.
April 27, 2019
I read The Book of Bright Ideas not long ago, and was very happy to find out there was a sequel. I don’t think I went into reading A Life of Bright Ideas with any more expectation than any other book, but I was truly disappointed. It almost ruined my memory of how good the first book was.
The author, just in case the reader did not read the first book, continually throws explanations in to get everyone reading “up to speed”. This really is not necessary if the second book would have been good enough to stand on it’s own, (which, sadly, it is not) and I quickly became annoyed with all the repeated history of the characters. The “bright Ideas” that begin each chapter are from the first book, and I remembered having read many of them.
The first book was written in a child’s POV, and it was done very well, and contained much “out of the mouths of babes” type wisdom. The second book was too much fluff. The author tried to let the first book “carry” the second one, and this just never works.
For anyone dying for this sequel, read at your own risk of being terribly let down.
The author, just in case the reader did not read the first book, continually throws explanations in to get everyone reading “up to speed”. This really is not necessary if the second book would have been good enough to stand on it’s own, (which, sadly, it is not) and I quickly became annoyed with all the repeated history of the characters. The “bright Ideas” that begin each chapter are from the first book, and I remembered having read many of them.
The first book was written in a child’s POV, and it was done very well, and contained much “out of the mouths of babes” type wisdom. The second book was too much fluff. The author tried to let the first book “carry” the second one, and this just never works.
For anyone dying for this sequel, read at your own risk of being terribly let down.
June 15, 2022
Quite chaotic at times and other times moving slowly with the story line. Button and Winnalee began recording observations in their Book of Bright Ideas, a tome they believe would solve the mystery of how to live a mistake-free life. Now it's 1970, a time of peace, love, war and personal heartbreak. Buttons mother is dead and her grieving father has all but abandoned his children. Button has traded college for a sewing job in her mother's bridal shop to help her Aunt raise her whirlwind six-year-old brother. She writes letters to the boy she loved from afar through high school, hoping he will come to love her as more than a friend.
Then, Button is greeted with the wild, gusty arrival of Winnalee, who is everything Button is not. She's been to Woodstock and enjoys "free love", but their bond of friendship is tested. Then Winnalee's mother arrives with a surprise that Button never sees coming. The writer understands the depth of human experience.
Then, Button is greeted with the wild, gusty arrival of Winnalee, who is everything Button is not. She's been to Woodstock and enjoys "free love", but their bond of friendship is tested. Then Winnalee's mother arrives with a surprise that Button never sees coming. The writer understands the depth of human experience.
July 27, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I also love how the narrative is from the "childs" P.O.V & Like the first book it captures many emotions and feelings. My favorite is how Buttons talks about her aunt "ha-ha-ing" 😄 I like how it addresses many issues with young ladies, from forms of child abuse & neglect to the issues with body image, self esteem & eventually self improvement. The characters were relateable, and was happy with the ending although I feel it was rushed. There should have been a 3rd "Bright Ideas" to fill in the ending that was missing details, like the first. Maybe there is or will be a 3rd. I thought about Button, Winnalee and the whole family even when I wasn't able to read. I am now a fan of Sandra Kring.
June 17, 2018
I loved this book. Found it at the library and was so drawn in by the fun cover that I picked it up on a whim, and I'm glad I did. It's a true-to-life tale of sisterhood that digs deep into the complications that come along with growing up. Young Button and her wild friend Winnalee are as different as two girls can but the story follows their love and friendship as they cross the threshold of womanhood in the 1970s.
The dialogue felt genuine and the characters were developed so beautifully that by the time I finished the book I felt like they were long lost family. I really enjoyed this story and I'm going to buy a copy to add to my library.
The dialogue felt genuine and the characters were developed so beautifully that by the time I finished the book I felt like they were long lost family. I really enjoyed this story and I'm going to buy a copy to add to my library.
August 9, 2025
this book surprised me in many, many ways. at first, I was super unsure of the character development and didn’t even like some of the characters. as I read, the story and characters grew on me and this is definitely a great coming of age tale. honesty between friends and family keeps people together, and I think that’s one of the best lessons to learn. this book reminds me of how real and raw people can truly be. a story of loss, love, heartbreak, and growing up, “A Life of Bright Ideas” is worth the read.
August 5, 2018
There were a few foggy details, but this was an easy read with a happy ending. Even though this is a story of sisterhood I wish there had been a touch more on Button's budding relationship or rather romance with Tommy. Or maybe there's room to continue the story line? Great descriptive writing. The little details here and there draw you in closer to the characters and their experiences.
July 14, 2017
I read this immediately after reading the first book and maybe that wasn't wise. I didn't need the multiple refreshers included at the beginning of this novel and that was really distracting for me. So, the first part was not enjoyable, but so glad the remainder was almost as good as the prior book! Love the line about 'bittersweet' at the end!
September 7, 2017
I loved that this picked up right where The Book of Bright Ideas left off! The characters had aged in a way that made sense, for the most part. There were some pretty cheesy parts, but who doesn't love a feel-good book every now and again?
March 30, 2018
Loved this continuation of Button and Winnalee’s lives! I am not a fan of foul language so I can not read these books out loud to my dog without skipping words. The characters are well thought out and rich in insight. I hope to see them in future novels!
February 9, 2019
I laughed & I cried...
I loved this book even more than the first one. At one point, I was laughing so hard I couldn’t read the words on the page. Ditto for crying at another part. I felt like I was watching the story play out rather than reading it. I hated to put this one down.
I loved this book even more than the first one. At one point, I was laughing so hard I couldn’t read the words on the page. Ditto for crying at another part. I felt like I was watching the story play out rather than reading it. I hated to put this one down.
September 29, 2021
I read the book of bright ideas several years ago so had to try and catch up with this continuing story. I liked them both very much. A coming of age story that many people who lived through the 60's can relate to. Some sad times and some great times. Just a true friendship
June 18, 2017
A disappointment after the first book. This one seemed forced and predictable and the child's voice was really missing.
December 6, 2017
I am new to Sandra Kring and her books. I really enjoyed this book and now that I have read this sequel, I suppose I should read The Book of Bright Ideas!
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