Project Peep (3)

Friendship Garden #3

by Jenny Meyerhoff, Éva Chatelain (Illustrator)

Anna and her community gardening friends spring into action to help raise baby chicks in the third book in the Friendship Garden series.

When Anna moved to Chicago, Kaya became her first real friend, so for her birthday Anna is determined to give Kaya the best present ever! The problem is, the thing Kaya wants more than anything is a pet, but her parents have a strict no-pets rule.

Then Anna remembers that Mr. Hoffman’s third-grade class just hatched baby chicks! Anna decides that rather than sending the chicks back to the farm, she’ll convince her teacher to let the Friendship Garden raise them, so Kaya can have a pet of her own. But raising chicks is no easy task. It requires supplies (that cost money) and building things like a coop and a run. How is Anna supposed to get everything ready and keep it a surprise…especially when Anna and Kaya usually hang out every day?

Kaya begins to suspect “fowl play” and assumes Anna is ditching her as a friend! Anna feels terrible and what was supposed to be the best birthday present ever quickly turns into the worst one. Will Anna be able to come up with a way to win her best friend back before the chicks get sent back to the farm for good?

Genres: Childrens

144 pages, Hardcover

First published February 2, 2016

About the author

"As a child in West Bloomfield, Michigan, Jenny Meyerhoff often read a book a night. In third grade, she readAre You There God? It’s Me, Margaret twenty-one times. Her first attempt at a children’s book, The Leprechaun Who Never Found a Pot of Gold, was written when she was in first grade. From that moment on, Jenny has dreamed of becoming a professional children’s book writer.

Jenny studied creative writing at the University of Michigan, and received her master’s degree in education at Northwestern University. She then became a kindergarten teacher because, in addition to loving children’s books, Jenny enjoys sitting on the floor. (That’s also why she practices yoga.)

Jenny is now a full-time writer and a full-time mom, which means that she never sleeps. She lives in Riverwoods, Illinois, with her husband and three children." (http://us.macmillan.com/author/jennym...)

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is interesting I have been trying to read with each of my three children every day. My oldest who is the most reluctant reader has really enjoyed this series. Currently when we read together we alternate pages, we read a little longer and she gets he required reading in for school and we get some quieter time together once the other children are in bed most nights. We have been reading this series in order and have greatly enjoyed each of the books.

One of the things we really like is that it is realistic fiction. Nothing really happens in these books that might not happen in real life. Not that there isn't space in our reading for other stuff, but it is one of the things we really appreciate about this book and this series. And this book like the others in the series has a lesson to teach.

Anna really wants to give Kaya the best birthday present to cement that they are best friends. Since Anna has moved to Chicago she has wanted a best friend here. She has a plan but in order to work on it she starts keeping secrets, and soon kaya is very upset. Kaya thinks that Anna is ditching her and their friendship. Both of them learn valuable lessons, lessons about being honest, and about making assumptions. And as usual the story revolves around the community garden and the class plot at the friendship garden, But As the class has incubated chicks and raided them for a while now, Anna has a plan to keep them around because Kaya loves them so much. But plans do not always go the way we think or expect.

My daughter's three favourite things about the book are:
1. Anna learns that secrets, even if intended for good can cause harm
2. Kaya learns about making assumptions
3. The chicks are so cure who would not want to raise some

I really appreciate that the boom is entertaining and engaging enough that I have read it now with my oldest and my youngest and still find it enjoyable. They are fun reads and geared to the perfect level. And any book or series that keeps my daughter reading is a winner in my opinion.

Again we both really loved the illustrations by Éva Chatelain. These simple drawings really enhance the story. These stories are really well written and we already have more on our to be read list.

Another great book in an excellent series! So pass on the word go ahead and say a peep!

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Meyerhoff and Chatelain.

[Efox · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was also cute, just like the first two. My five year old keeps bringing these home from the library, but honestly I can't tell if he's actually into them, or if he just thinks about Mario while I read to him. This book was about 3 chapters too long for me on the drama surrounding the chicken coop and Anna wanting to keep it from Kaya, but overall, this series is really pretty nice and enjoyable.

[Keira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, but I was not a big fan of the end. I recommend it for people who like gardening and chickens.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna wants to give the perfect present to her friend, Kaya. But keeping it a secret made her almost lose the friendship. Anna learns that is better to be a friend then to focus on the perfect gift.

[R Waterfall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahh so cute! Anna is such a smart and funny eight-year-old. She tries so hard to be a good friend, and perseveres, even when things get tough. :)

[Kerry A. Stead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chicks,Chicks,Chicks!

I love #3 of the friendship garden! It is a definite keepsake! I love the book because it is so cool how Anna can keep a secret sooooooo long! You have to read the book to find out what I am talking about! So, start reading this book!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lisa Hossler · Rating 5 out of 5]

McPhee123 - Has five out of five stars! It was very emotional.