What do you think?
Rate this book
Abigail series #3
Abigail Gets Left Out
9-year-old Abigail can’t sing, and she can’t dance. So when her friends start rehearsing a musical performance, Abigail feels very much left out and self-conscious. Isn’t she good at anything? Doesn’t anybody want to be her friend?
Jesus does! When Abigail reads Psalm 139, she realizes that Jesus made her wonderfully, just the way she is, so she doesn’t need to worry about not being good at musical things. And when she encounters John 15, Abigail learns that Jesus loves her perfectly and empowers her to be a loving friend, even when others let her down.
As Abigail sees what a wonderful friend Jesus is, it transforms her other friendships—and it ends up transforming the girls’ musical performance too!
Jesus does! When Abigail reads Psalm 139, she realizes that Jesus made her wonderfully, just the way she is, so she doesn’t need to worry about not being good at musical things. And when she encounters John 15, Abigail learns that Jesus loves her perfectly and empowers her to be a loving friend, even when others let her down.
As Abigail sees what a wonderful friend Jesus is, it transforms her other friendships—and it ends up transforming the girls’ musical performance too!
208 pages
Published March 1, 2025
3 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Bethany McIlrath
6 books17 followersBethany McIlrath loves to get lost in a book and to help others discover their next read. When she's not reading stories, she's usually writing them or dreaming about them as she comes up with real-life creative adventures for friends, her husband, and a doorbell-like dog named Indy. Serving in children's ministry is also one of her greatest joys.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 27, 2025
“Here is my command. Love one another, just as I have loved you” (John 15:12). But Abigail isn’t feeling very loved. God designed us for relationships, but “having good relationships was hard.” In Abigail Gets Left Out by Bethany McIlrath with illustrations by Katie Saunders, Abigail will discover that Jesus notices her even when her friends don’t, and He’ll help her be a good friend even to those who have hurt her.
We love the Abigail series (especially my nine-year-old niece and her friends)! This is the third book in the series, and like the other two, I find them to be unique in the way they incorporate Christian values into the normal, everyday life, of the very relatable Abigail. In this book, we find Abigail struggling to fit in when her friends decide to put on a musical number about a little red-headed orphan named Frannie. They spend all their time rehearsing, and Abigail can’t sing and can’t dance, so she finds herself on the outside, angry at her friends, and wondering why God didn’t make her special.
Using Psalm 139, Abigail’s mom helps her to see that God made her on purpose and wonderfully, which makes her pretty special. And He didn’t give everyone the gift of performing, but is there another way she can be a good friend instead of being angry and hurt by them? As Abigail discovers that Jesus is the best friend and the best helper anyone could have, she knows she can look to His example to be the best friend and the best helper for her talented friends.
This is such a wonderful read-aloud for ages 6+ as kids will discover what it truly means to be a good friend. Loving others like Jesus is hard, and we will never do it perfectly, but thankfully Jesus did, and we can call on Him “to help us love one another better!” This book uses Scripture (particularly John 15) to teach Abigail about love, friendship, being a helper, and that everyone has God-given talents and a purpose. It teaches the gospel and about the trinity in a way that will be understandable to the youngest of readers.
I highly recommend adding the Abigail series to your home libraries! Adults and kids will learn so much from Abigail and feel encouraged to face the everyday trials with our best friend and helper- Jesus!
Favorite quote: “You don’t have to be good at everything. Leave that to God! You just be you and ask God to help you with loving other people like he does, in the wonderful, unique way he made you. He will help you, don’t worry.”
*I was sent a copy of this wonderful, entertaining, and edifying story in exchange for my honest review.*
We love the Abigail series (especially my nine-year-old niece and her friends)! This is the third book in the series, and like the other two, I find them to be unique in the way they incorporate Christian values into the normal, everyday life, of the very relatable Abigail. In this book, we find Abigail struggling to fit in when her friends decide to put on a musical number about a little red-headed orphan named Frannie. They spend all their time rehearsing, and Abigail can’t sing and can’t dance, so she finds herself on the outside, angry at her friends, and wondering why God didn’t make her special.
Using Psalm 139, Abigail’s mom helps her to see that God made her on purpose and wonderfully, which makes her pretty special. And He didn’t give everyone the gift of performing, but is there another way she can be a good friend instead of being angry and hurt by them? As Abigail discovers that Jesus is the best friend and the best helper anyone could have, she knows she can look to His example to be the best friend and the best helper for her talented friends.
This is such a wonderful read-aloud for ages 6+ as kids will discover what it truly means to be a good friend. Loving others like Jesus is hard, and we will never do it perfectly, but thankfully Jesus did, and we can call on Him “to help us love one another better!” This book uses Scripture (particularly John 15) to teach Abigail about love, friendship, being a helper, and that everyone has God-given talents and a purpose. It teaches the gospel and about the trinity in a way that will be understandable to the youngest of readers.
I highly recommend adding the Abigail series to your home libraries! Adults and kids will learn so much from Abigail and feel encouraged to face the everyday trials with our best friend and helper- Jesus!
Favorite quote: “You don’t have to be good at everything. Leave that to God! You just be you and ask God to help you with loving other people like he does, in the wonderful, unique way he made you. He will help you, don’t worry.”
*I was sent a copy of this wonderful, entertaining, and edifying story in exchange for my honest review.*
March 14, 2025
When my brother saw this book lying on my floor, he said, "Abigail Gets Left Out. So, is that an autobiography?" I laughed and said that it is not, but that the story was VERY relatable to me, both from my childhood and from current events. Then I told him that this novel does contain words I've written, because a quote from my review of book one appears on the endorsements page! This is a brand new experience for me, and I am very excited about it.
This is the third book in the Abigail series, and it builds on existing situations and character relationships while also being a great entry point for people who haven't read the other books. The author does a great job of introducing previous events to new readers without it seeming like an obvious rehash, and the book jumps into a new story about Abigail dealing with friendship challenges and differing interests with girls at school and church.
The story is incredibly realistic about the challenging dynamics that Abigail is dealing with, as well as her feelings about them. The Christian messages also feel very natural within the story, as Abigail learns about friendship with Jesus and how Jesus can help people become better friends to each other. The resolution at the end of the story feels convincing, and this book has lots of great messages for girls who are in similar situations. Also, just like with other books in the series, this one has great illustrations, a website link for activities from the book, and book club discussion questions.
Abigail Gets Left Out is a wonderful book for elementary-aged girls, and for older readers who enjoy children's books. The story includes both serious elements and fun, humorous moments, and this book is great for both independent reading and for family read-aloud times. I highly recommend the whole Abigail series, and am looking forward to future installments.
I received a free copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This is the third book in the Abigail series, and it builds on existing situations and character relationships while also being a great entry point for people who haven't read the other books. The author does a great job of introducing previous events to new readers without it seeming like an obvious rehash, and the book jumps into a new story about Abigail dealing with friendship challenges and differing interests with girls at school and church.
The story is incredibly realistic about the challenging dynamics that Abigail is dealing with, as well as her feelings about them. The Christian messages also feel very natural within the story, as Abigail learns about friendship with Jesus and how Jesus can help people become better friends to each other. The resolution at the end of the story feels convincing, and this book has lots of great messages for girls who are in similar situations. Also, just like with other books in the series, this one has great illustrations, a website link for activities from the book, and book club discussion questions.
Abigail Gets Left Out is a wonderful book for elementary-aged girls, and for older readers who enjoy children's books. The story includes both serious elements and fun, humorous moments, and this book is great for both independent reading and for family read-aloud times. I highly recommend the whole Abigail series, and am looking forward to future installments.
I received a free copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
March 3, 2025
As a mama to a little girl, I love finding great books that encourage my daughter while providing moral lessons and helping to deepen her faith! The Abigail series does just that.
In this newest release, 9 year old Abigail feels embarrassed, inadequate and left out when her school friends decide to put on a musical, but she doesn’t sing and she can’t dance so she’s not sure how she fits into the production. Her feelings intensify when she’s teased by a boy in her class, so her mom points her to Scripture. With the help of a youth group lesson and family, Abigail discovers what God’s word says about her, about friendship and helping others. Through her own act of kindness, she learns a valuable lesson about fitting in, being a friend and she learns that she’s never truly alone because she loves and knows Jesus.
I find this to be a sweet, gentle story about self worth, friendship and purpose. I loved that Abigail explored the Scripture as a result of her dilemma and prayed about it, too. We all just want to be included sometimes and this book does a great job of covering that topic with from a Christian perspective, pointing little hearts and minds toward Jesus!
The story was fun and entertaining as well as clever. It was easy to read for late elementary readers. Even my 7 year old enjoyed the story and the cute illustrations. We also had a few laughs as we read it together! This is a definite recommendation for the little girl in your life.
* I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.
In this newest release, 9 year old Abigail feels embarrassed, inadequate and left out when her school friends decide to put on a musical, but she doesn’t sing and she can’t dance so she’s not sure how she fits into the production. Her feelings intensify when she’s teased by a boy in her class, so her mom points her to Scripture. With the help of a youth group lesson and family, Abigail discovers what God’s word says about her, about friendship and helping others. Through her own act of kindness, she learns a valuable lesson about fitting in, being a friend and she learns that she’s never truly alone because she loves and knows Jesus.
I find this to be a sweet, gentle story about self worth, friendship and purpose. I loved that Abigail explored the Scripture as a result of her dilemma and prayed about it, too. We all just want to be included sometimes and this book does a great job of covering that topic with from a Christian perspective, pointing little hearts and minds toward Jesus!
The story was fun and entertaining as well as clever. It was easy to read for late elementary readers. Even my 7 year old enjoyed the story and the cute illustrations. We also had a few laughs as we read it together! This is a definite recommendation for the little girl in your life.
* I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.
May 6, 2025
This was such a timely read for our family. Even though we homeschool, my girls are regularly around other children at nature school, co-op, and church, and the topic of being left out had just come up when we started this story.
What I love most about this book is how it gently weaves in the truth of Psalm 139 and Ephesians 2:10. Abigail’s story reminds young readers that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made, created by God for a purpose, and made for relationships, even when those relationships feel hard.
One of the most impactful moments for us was when Abigail’s dad helped her understand that feelings don’t always equal truth. When we feel invisible or uninvited, Jesus still sees us. And with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can respond with grace, even when we feel hurt or disappointed.
I also appreciated how clearly the gospel was presented—simple and heartfelt for young hearts to understand.
🍎 WHO IS THIS FOR: Though written for ages 7 and up, my youngest (5) was able to follow along and join in our discussions. This story is a great fit for families already reading wholesome, character-rich stories geared toward middle elementary readers. I do recommend prereading for younger listeners, as the story mentions “feeling stupid” and “eye rolling.”
Book club questions are included in the back, which makes it a great fit for a homeschool group or girls’ book club.
Thank you @thegoodbookcompanyusa for our copy in exchange for an honest review.
📚 Book 3 in the Abigail series, but it can be read as a standalone.
What I love most about this book is how it gently weaves in the truth of Psalm 139 and Ephesians 2:10. Abigail’s story reminds young readers that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made, created by God for a purpose, and made for relationships, even when those relationships feel hard.
One of the most impactful moments for us was when Abigail’s dad helped her understand that feelings don’t always equal truth. When we feel invisible or uninvited, Jesus still sees us. And with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can respond with grace, even when we feel hurt or disappointed.
I also appreciated how clearly the gospel was presented—simple and heartfelt for young hearts to understand.
🍎 WHO IS THIS FOR: Though written for ages 7 and up, my youngest (5) was able to follow along and join in our discussions. This story is a great fit for families already reading wholesome, character-rich stories geared toward middle elementary readers. I do recommend prereading for younger listeners, as the story mentions “feeling stupid” and “eye rolling.”
Book club questions are included in the back, which makes it a great fit for a homeschool group or girls’ book club.
Thank you @thegoodbookcompanyusa for our copy in exchange for an honest review.
📚 Book 3 in the Abigail series, but it can be read as a standalone.
March 7, 2025
Read-aloud with 5yo girl.
Readers who have enjoyed the first few books in the Abigail series from The Good Book Company will enjoy rejoining their literary friend in her newest adventure! Known for being imaginative & creative, Abigail is a lovable young girl navigating the various challenges of growing up. Whether she’s figuring out what it means to be a good friend, or what it truly means that Jesus is THE BEST friend of all, Abigail's journey to the truth is full of relatable experiences and applicable lessons for readers.
In this third book of the series, Abigail learns that we human are made for relationships but sin affects our friendships. In studying John 15 alongside her parents and trusted mentors, Abigail learns that the Gospel of God’s love and Jesus’ perfection brings restoration and freedom to our relationships - both with our Heavenly Father and earthly friendships.
Something I especially love about the series is the emphasis on Scripture and discipleship. I also love that simply & profound truths are communicated in story form that allow young readers to really connect.
Thank you to The Good Book Company for the complimentary book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
Readers who have enjoyed the first few books in the Abigail series from The Good Book Company will enjoy rejoining their literary friend in her newest adventure! Known for being imaginative & creative, Abigail is a lovable young girl navigating the various challenges of growing up. Whether she’s figuring out what it means to be a good friend, or what it truly means that Jesus is THE BEST friend of all, Abigail's journey to the truth is full of relatable experiences and applicable lessons for readers.
In this third book of the series, Abigail learns that we human are made for relationships but sin affects our friendships. In studying John 15 alongside her parents and trusted mentors, Abigail learns that the Gospel of God’s love and Jesus’ perfection brings restoration and freedom to our relationships - both with our Heavenly Father and earthly friendships.
Something I especially love about the series is the emphasis on Scripture and discipleship. I also love that simply & profound truths are communicated in story form that allow young readers to really connect.
Thank you to The Good Book Company for the complimentary book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
March 4, 2025
My daughter said this was a good book that tells a lot about what could happen in your life. She liked that it talks a lot about Jesus. She thought it was as a fun book and completed it in 2 days. My daughter is 9 and so is the main character so I would say the reading level is right on target 😀 I think an advanced 7 year old reader could read it, too (my younger daughter has started reading some of the Abigail books) but I’d probably have a younger child revisit the series again when older and needing to apply some of the principals to their own life.
April 23, 2025
Sometimes children can be mean and cruel to one another and some are very sensitive to the cruelties they hurl at each other. Sensitive children can really have a hard time when this happens. In Abigail Gets Left Out we see this scenario played out and see how Abigail learns how to deal with it personally.
Abigail's grandmother plays a big part in helping Abigail. A delightful story just full of good stuff and life lessons.
I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
Abigail's grandmother plays a big part in helping Abigail. A delightful story just full of good stuff and life lessons.
I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews