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The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes #1
Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining
Paperback
128 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 2000
44 people are currently reading
1449 people want to read
About the author
Anne Mazer
73 books102 followersQuite a lot of Anne Mazer’s writing education took place while she was unconscious. Her parents wanted desperately to become writers and made themselves get up at 4:00 a.m. Every morning in order to have writing time before their three young children awoke. The first thing Anne heard every day was two big, noisy electric typewriters. The furious sound of typing was her childhood wake-up music. During the day, her parents endlessly discussed ideas, plot, and character, and before she was seven years old, Anne knew about revisions, first and second drafts, and rejection slips. It was like growing up in a twenty four hour, seven day a week writer’s boot camp.
In order to escape from her parents’ obsession with writing, Anne turned to books. She was an avid reader from an early age and credits her love of reading for her writing career. Her favorite works were fantasy, fairy tales, historical fiction, humor, realistic fiction, and adventure. Her other interests were language, art, history, and science. At the age of twelve, she wanted to be an actress, a ballerina and a nuclear physicist. These careers were rapidly eliminated as she realized that a) she couldn’t dance, b) she couldn’t act; and c) she hated math.
Although at the time Anne thought writing was nothing but a nuisance, she now considers herself very lucky to have grown up with two aspiring writers. She learned a lot about discipline, perseverance and dedication to a craft from witnessing her parents’ struggle. They eventually became successful and award-winning young adult novelists.
It took Anne a long time to figure out that she, too, wanted to be a writer. During early adulthood, she worked as an au pair, a bank teller, a pill bottle labeler, a receptionist, an English tutor, and an administrative assistant, as well as other jobs that she was ill-suited for. She attended three universities, spent several years in Paris, traveled throughout Europe, and worked in Boston and New York City.
Anne’s “eureka” moment about writing came while she prepared a research report for one of her bosses. As she lovingly polished each sentence, and meticulously organized the paragraphs, she realized that no one really cared how beautifully she wrote about the latest models of air-conditioners. Except her, of course.
Using her parents’ model of daily writing and discipline, she began to write. It took her seven years to publish her first book, a picture book inspired by her then two year old son, Max.
Anne is the mother of an adult son and daughter. Over the last twenty years, she has written over forty-five books for young readers. She has enough ideas to last for another quarter century and hopes that she will be writing for a very long time.
Fun Facts About Anne Mazer
Her favorite foods are popcorn, rice pudding and blueberries.
When she was a kid, she would sometimes read up to ten books a day.
If she had magic powers, she'd choose invisibility.
She painted the rooms in her house yellow, orange, and violet.
One of her favorite childhood books was The Twilight of Magic, by Hugh Lofting.
When Anne was a teenager, her room was so messy that she needed a map to get from the door to the bed. (sort of)
In school Anne often flunked her favorite creative subjects, like writing and art.
In order to escape from her parents’ obsession with writing, Anne turned to books. She was an avid reader from an early age and credits her love of reading for her writing career. Her favorite works were fantasy, fairy tales, historical fiction, humor, realistic fiction, and adventure. Her other interests were language, art, history, and science. At the age of twelve, she wanted to be an actress, a ballerina and a nuclear physicist. These careers were rapidly eliminated as she realized that a) she couldn’t dance, b) she couldn’t act; and c) she hated math.
Although at the time Anne thought writing was nothing but a nuisance, she now considers herself very lucky to have grown up with two aspiring writers. She learned a lot about discipline, perseverance and dedication to a craft from witnessing her parents’ struggle. They eventually became successful and award-winning young adult novelists.
It took Anne a long time to figure out that she, too, wanted to be a writer. During early adulthood, she worked as an au pair, a bank teller, a pill bottle labeler, a receptionist, an English tutor, and an administrative assistant, as well as other jobs that she was ill-suited for. She attended three universities, spent several years in Paris, traveled throughout Europe, and worked in Boston and New York City.
Anne’s “eureka” moment about writing came while she prepared a research report for one of her bosses. As she lovingly polished each sentence, and meticulously organized the paragraphs, she realized that no one really cared how beautifully she wrote about the latest models of air-conditioners. Except her, of course.
Using her parents’ model of daily writing and discipline, she began to write. It took her seven years to publish her first book, a picture book inspired by her then two year old son, Max.
Anne is the mother of an adult son and daughter. Over the last twenty years, she has written over forty-five books for young readers. She has enough ideas to last for another quarter century and hopes that she will be writing for a very long time.
Fun Facts About Anne Mazer
Her favorite foods are popcorn, rice pudding and blueberries.
When she was a kid, she would sometimes read up to ten books a day.
If she had magic powers, she'd choose invisibility.
She painted the rooms in her house yellow, orange, and violet.
One of her favorite childhood books was The Twilight of Magic, by Hugh Lofting.
When Anne was a teenager, her room was so messy that she needed a map to get from the door to the bed. (sort of)
In school Anne often flunked her favorite creative subjects, like writing and art.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
November 6, 2015
Rating: 5 stars
(late review)
These were honestly my favorite books in elementary school. I discovered them in my school library, and I was such a fast reader already that I read the entire series (which is, like, 30 books) in a few weeks! Abby Hayes made me want to keep my journal (tried and failed miserably...), be in fifth grade, and be super creative. Basically, my childhood = The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes.
(late review)
These were honestly my favorite books in elementary school. I discovered them in my school library, and I was such a fast reader already that I read the entire series (which is, like, 30 books) in a few weeks! Abby Hayes made me want to keep my journal (tried and failed miserably...), be in fifth grade, and be super creative. Basically, my childhood = The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes.
April 29, 2010
I think I first read this book in the fourth grade, maybe third, and I remember entering grade five and being SO excited that I was in Abby's grade. Now, in grade 10, I tend to read books that are geared to my age level and older instead of "pre-teen" books. Still, I loved this book so much that I ended up with most of the books in the series sitting on my bookshelf. I read it when I need light reading. Because I know it almost off by heart, I don't have to deal with the apprehension that often comes with an new storyline. Instead I am able to enjoy a story that is, actually, easy to relate to! Everyone understands feeling misunderstood and inferior. Wanting to do better and be better. I feel like I've grown up with Abby and this may be a bias. Maybe it isn't as good as I'm making it out to be. Still, I think that this book is one of my personal favourites and I would recommend it to anyone looking to do some easy, enjoyable reading on the beach or long nights when you can't sleep. Or anytime. =)
January 19, 2014
I thought it might be nice to look at a few of the older series that we have on our library shelve. The Abby Hayes series started with "Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining in 2000 and continued through a dozen more adventures. Abby herself is a likeable character (Sometimes a little too up-beat and squeaky clean for some middle-schoolers). She is trying so hard to find her special place in a family of over-achievers. Written in journal form and cleverly illustrated; these stories should appeal to younger girls who are starting to make the transition from easy-readers to a longer chapter book.
February 3, 2016
I absolutely loved this book when I was in middle school. I remember at the time enjoying the character's love for calendars, it prompted me to get a unique calendar each year... which I still do as an adult. Additionally, I had completely forgotten the title and author, and am so very pleased with rediscovering it!
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March 21, 2022Lol! Trip down memory lane with this one
December 1, 2013
This book is about Abby Hayes asking questions and she wants to be a soccer star. The most funny part was when she scored a point for the other team and then fell in the mud. I really liked it when She wrote an article for her school and got it in the newspaper. This book was very funny.
June 25, 2008
Abby is a funny character and she loves to write -- she's my age, too!!!! It's very fun to read about her and her problems . . . definitely a good read!!!!!
June 20, 2012
I loved this book! If you liked this book you should read the rest of the series! I would read every single book over again! Love this book, L-O-V-E this book!
September 8, 2024
Definitely one of my comfort series as a kid!
November 19, 2025
Nostalgia city
August 13, 2013
Meet Abby Hayes, a normal fifth grader, but this is a problem when her whole family is super smart or athletic. She is just normal and wants to be great at something, but cannot seem to be good at anything, but perhaps writing. So a new school year starts and a new teacher comes with it, a new teacher with another teacher friend who is going to come in once a week to teach the students creative writing. Abby is so excited and happy about this that she cannot wait to get started. But Abby also wants to be a super soccer star as well as it is the only sport Eva, her twin sister sub-sib, does not play at all.
So Abby starts on a campaign to become the greatest soccer star that there is. She trains with her best friend Jessica and her younger brother Alex, the math wiz. But things just seem to fall apart for her all the time, but her writing is a constant in her life and she is so good at it. It brings her peace and comfort when she has nothing else.
Will Abby actually become a super soccer star? Will her writing teacher see how good of a writer she is? Where is the silver lining that these clouds have, she wonders?
This was a very sweet book, advised by a very good friend that I should read it. I enjoyed the narration of the diary compared to the third person dialogue of the story teller. Very well written and showcases the true struggles that a kid can go through when they are the best at nothing, or at least they think so, while their sibling(s) are the best at everything else. Can be hard growing up being compared to a sibling that is so much better at some many things. Great book for older elementary kids.
So Abby starts on a campaign to become the greatest soccer star that there is. She trains with her best friend Jessica and her younger brother Alex, the math wiz. But things just seem to fall apart for her all the time, but her writing is a constant in her life and she is so good at it. It brings her peace and comfort when she has nothing else.
Will Abby actually become a super soccer star? Will her writing teacher see how good of a writer she is? Where is the silver lining that these clouds have, she wonders?
This was a very sweet book, advised by a very good friend that I should read it. I enjoyed the narration of the diary compared to the third person dialogue of the story teller. Very well written and showcases the true struggles that a kid can go through when they are the best at nothing, or at least they think so, while their sibling(s) are the best at everything else. Can be hard growing up being compared to a sibling that is so much better at some many things. Great book for older elementary kids.
October 22, 2011
I loved this book its about a fifth grade girl named Abby Hayes that loves to write and play soccer. Her dream is to become a soccer start and be famous by that, so she is trying her best to become one. Since she loves to write she has a journal that she writes every moment of her life in there, for example, she writes about her teachers, describes her friends and most importantly what happens during soccer. She has a collection of all sorts of calendars total of 70 and in each one she writes her own quote in them everyday. After all that hard work she finally publishes her first newspaper article which she was proud of and all her family members were proud of her as well. What I liked the most was that how the author made Abby the main character write her own journal, I think it made the book more interesting to read. I would love to continue reading the next series of this book and would recommend this book to mostly girls.
May 18, 2014
The Abby Hayes series was one of my favorites when I was young. It's a classic coming-of-age story as Abby tries to find out what makes her unique, but it's done with classic characters that have distinct personalities and are easy to relate to. I especially liked Abby's journal entries, because I liked to write myself. My only complaint about this book and the rest of the series is that some of the characters are too perfect. Mean girl Brianna never seems to do anything wrong, although not everyone likes her. She speaks French, has money, wins awards, owns a horse and designer clothes, is one of the best actors in town, is popular and even related to the mayor. Get real! I would have liked to see more dimension in the antagonists, but otherwise this is a fresh and funny series. Whether you're a soccer fan or not, preteen girls will love this.
September 30, 2008
I've read this WHOLE series. :D
Granted, I was about 11 at the time, but I still loved it. I still re-read them every so often. xDD
It's a great series for girls who are just getting into the more advanced books--early YA. It's a rather long series, around 15 books since I heard last, but worth the time. I actually went out and bought each installment, rather than just getting them from the library; that's how good it was. =)
This series is a great mix of basic drama, first crushes, best friends, and a lot of self-reflection. The half-novel-half-journal theme makes it an interesting change of pace, and kept me engaged throughout the whole thing.
While I do have personal favorites of the collection, the whole grouping of books is well worth it. :]
Granted, I was about 11 at the time, but I still loved it. I still re-read them every so often. xDD
It's a great series for girls who are just getting into the more advanced books--early YA. It's a rather long series, around 15 books since I heard last, but worth the time. I actually went out and bought each installment, rather than just getting them from the library; that's how good it was. =)
This series is a great mix of basic drama, first crushes, best friends, and a lot of self-reflection. The half-novel-half-journal theme makes it an interesting change of pace, and kept me engaged throughout the whole thing.
While I do have personal favorites of the collection, the whole grouping of books is well worth it. :]
July 2, 2012
Growing up I loved reading, picture books amazed me and my bed times stories were never long enough. But when it came time for me to read on my own, growing up meant moving on to chapter books. This was not a smooth transition. My love of reading faded in those many years when beginner chapter books were what I was expected to read, when all I wanted to do was return to the colour illustrations and beautiful prose of the younger children's section.
But then along came Abby Hayes. This entire series got me through my reluctant reading period. I learned from Abby, she taught me new things while fostering my growing love of the colour purple and writing.
This will always be the book that defined my early reading experience. One that was all my own and special in indescribable ways.
But then along came Abby Hayes. This entire series got me through my reluctant reading period. I learned from Abby, she taught me new things while fostering my growing love of the colour purple and writing.
This will always be the book that defined my early reading experience. One that was all my own and special in indescribable ways.
January 19, 2013
Nicely written and nice illustrations. I didn't care for the way the main character ended up feeling so diminished just because she was different from her siblings. I think they pull this out in the end, though, maybe if you keep reading the series, she feels better. I guess all main characters can't be strong and independent, though. I just think they didn't have her deal with that until the very end, and some kids might take that as justification of her feelings. I wish she would've found a way past the negativity sooner. I just think this is a bit heavy for younger gradeschool kids, even up to 5th. Maybe older?
December 2, 2013
This is actually a great series for young girls to read. Abby is much like your average 5th grade girl, going through changes and trying to figure things out. In this book Abby is trying to find her special talent despite being a middle child and having a super smart brother. Along the way, she records quotes from her collection of calendars in a purple notebook. Abby is quirky, funny, and relatable for young readers. Following Abby's adventures is fun and easy, making this a great selection for realistic fiction.
August 17, 2011
This was a cute book that was fun to read with my 6 year old daughter. I liked the "handwritten" journal entries, though I found the way they were written was a bit confusing for my daughter who isn't used to the omission of words as a means of making quick journal entries. Each entry should have begun with "Note to self: ...". Besides that, it was an easy read that I didn't mind going to at my daughter's bedtime.
December 3, 2012
Abby's siblings definitely belong in the Hayes family. They're super talented and smart. Her one older sister is a basketball star while the other is a star student. Her little brother is a boy genius, but Abby? Well, she's just Abby destined for greatness...someday.
A great read for anyone who likes stories in diary format - it speaks of the struggles of trying to be great at something when you feel intimidated by others.
A great read for anyone who likes stories in diary format - it speaks of the struggles of trying to be great at something when you feel intimidated by others.
May 3, 2012
This was literally my favourite book series as an eleven year old girl. Even though they had nothing to do with fashion whatsoever, these were seriously the only books I read for the longest time. I think what I loved so much was the little journal entries throughout the books and how she loved writing, which I also love. I do not remember each book specifically, but all together I would recommend this series for any younger girl who absolutely loves reading!
June 25, 2012
This book is about a girl name abby hayes and she is going to fifth grade . When she is in fifth grade she notice that her supersibs, and the perfect older twins and her genius little brother has showed their hayes worthiness . Also abby wants here dream to come true ,like a soccer player like eva. So she thinks that this year in fifth grade is going to be the best year ever , and she's going to record every moment of it!
May 25, 2014
I first read this book when i was 10 and i completely fell in love with it.I simply love Abby Hayes since i could totally relate to her.It was definitely a page turner for me.Anne Mazer's witty writing style made her my favorite author at the time.But its been eight years and maybe i wont feel the same if i read it right now.But why to ruin a good memory.Anyway,i would definitely suggest this book to pre-teens and early teens.
July 16, 2019
I first read this book when i was 10 and i completely fell in love with it.I simply love Abby Hayes since i could totally relate to her.It was definitely a page turner for me.Anne Mazer's witty writing style made her my favorite author at the time.But its been eight years and maybe i wont feel the same if i read it right now.But why to ruin a good memory.Anyway,i would definitely suggest this book to pre-teens and early teens.
July 29, 2013
These books were my absolute favorite growing up. I remember my best friend and I wished that Abby was a real girl so we could be friends with her ourselves!
A lot of people I meet nowadays haven't heard of these books, but I recommend them to all children, Abby is an amazing character to look up to and grow up with.
love, love, love these books and always brings back childhood memories :)
A lot of people I meet nowadays haven't heard of these books, but I recommend them to all children, Abby is an amazing character to look up to and grow up with.
love, love, love these books and always brings back childhood memories :)
August 10, 2019
Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining is the first book in the long The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes series. It's kinda cute, but kinda cliche. I wish the whole thing was written as Abby's journal--the constant switching back and forth every few paragraphs from first- to third-person was a bit distracting.
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May 24, 2025Wow, such a serendipitous moment finding this at the library. For years I've been trying to remember what this book was, the only thing I remembered about it was that the main girl's older sister would change her nail polish every single day and had a crazy collection of nail polish. I knew it was silver lining something but haven't been able to find it, and since working at the library I've looked for it to no avail. Today, my last Saturday, I was helping a patron find a book and accidentally picked this up instead of the book I was looking for. I went "Oh my god this is it" and the patron was like "what no its not, we're looking for the pug diaries." Anyways..
January 4, 2024
Continuing my reread of childhood favorites. I loved this series as a child. It's a great early middleschool series. Super cute and fun. The mixed media journal entries are fun and make it a bit different. The series is empowering and sends a good message that you don't have to force yourself to fit into a mold of what others are doing or what you think you should be good at - you can just be yourself and do what you're good at and what you find fun.
August 8, 2015
I read this series in 2nd or 3rd grade and I was OBSESSED. Abby Hayes was my childhood!! She's such a funny and relatable character, even today. She's supposed to be a 5th grade girl but honestly acts like a sixteen-year-old. I think it would be my dream to purchase the entire series <33 If anyone is looking for a light, enjoyable read--- DEFINITELY read this series. It'll take you at max a week to read them all and it will forever change your life for the better!!!!!!
March 10, 2016
I love The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes--they're really quick reads and Abby and I a lot alike--except pretty much of the fact that I don't collect calenders (but I do love inspirational messages) and I don't have that many siblings! I love to write as well, but I don't write as often...but I would like to.
I'm starting to read (well planning to) The Declaration of Independence (the 2nd book in the series)
I'm starting to read (well planning to) The Declaration of Independence (the 2nd book in the series)
August 29, 2014
This was one of my absolute favorite series in elementary/middle school! I'd love to re-read it sometime, just for fun. From what I can remember, I'd definitely recommend these books to any girls (or boys) in elementary school or beyond. I think the main reason I connected so much with these books was because Abby was very relatable, as I loved writing, and Abby did as well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews