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Forever Friends #1
Chopstick
Two girls each have friends, family, and crushes pushing for them to win. But they can't both win - someone must lose and disappoint those who love them.
Paige Winsome has always been in the shadow of her athletic brother and academic sister and, as a result, is too often overlooked by her family.
Kate Kennedy, a pastor's daughter and only child, received plenty of praise and attention for her voice, but her family struggles to make ends meet and must constantly accept others' charity - and put downs.
No sooner do Paige and Kate meet and become fast friends than they discover they're both entering the same singer-songwriter competition and competing for the same $400 prize. Each girl sees this contest as an answer to her problem - for Paige to finally get the recognition she's been waiting, and for Kate, to help others financially without having to ask for handouts. Can this new friendship survive the stress of competition? After all, only one can win ...
"This book is excellent. The girls are real, and their conflicts engage the heart. A laugh-out-loud, cry-out-loud, cheer-out-loud book." Romantic Times Book Review, Top Pick, 4 1/2 stars
If you enjoyed Chopsticks, be sure to check out Red Velvet and Daisy Chains, two more Forever Friends books also on Kindle.
Paige Winsome has always been in the shadow of her athletic brother and academic sister and, as a result, is too often overlooked by her family.
Kate Kennedy, a pastor's daughter and only child, received plenty of praise and attention for her voice, but her family struggles to make ends meet and must constantly accept others' charity - and put downs.
No sooner do Paige and Kate meet and become fast friends than they discover they're both entering the same singer-songwriter competition and competing for the same $400 prize. Each girl sees this contest as an answer to her problem - for Paige to finally get the recognition she's been waiting, and for Kate, to help others financially without having to ask for handouts. Can this new friendship survive the stress of competition? After all, only one can win ...
"This book is excellent. The girls are real, and their conflicts engage the heart. A laugh-out-loud, cry-out-loud, cheer-out-loud book." Romantic Times Book Review, Top Pick, 4 1/2 stars
If you enjoyed Chopsticks, be sure to check out Red Velvet and Daisy Chains, two more Forever Friends books also on Kindle.
240 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2005
26 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Byrd
75 books1,013 followersThe author of more than fifty books, Sandra’s work has received many awards, nominations, and accolades, including a starred review-PW Pick from Publishers Weekly and multiple starred reviews and Best Book selections from Library Journal. Other awards include the Historical Novel Society’s Editor’s Choice, two Christy Awards nominations, a BookPage Top Pick for Romance, and inclusion on Booklist’s Top Ten Inspirational Books of the Year list.
A dedicated foodie, Sandra cooks through the topic and location of every book she writes. In addition, she collects vintage glass and service ware in her free time, loves long walks with her husband, and Sunday Suppers with her growing family.
Reach Sandra Here: https://linktr.ee/sandrabyrd
A dedicated foodie, Sandra cooks through the topic and location of every book she writes. In addition, she collects vintage glass and service ware in her free time, loves long walks with her husband, and Sunday Suppers with her growing family.
Reach Sandra Here: https://linktr.ee/sandrabyrd
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 12, 2019
2.5*. aw. i enjoyed this more than i thought i would.
it was a nice christian story about friendship and the plot is interesting. the writing isn’t that great. the way the characters are introduced really bore me to death. the writing is just boring. but overall, i liked it okay. :)
it was a nice christian story about friendship and the plot is interesting. the writing isn’t that great. the way the characters are introduced really bore me to death. the writing is just boring. but overall, i liked it okay. :)
May 22, 2019
Thirteen-year-old Paige Winsome has a life that might make many girls jealous. She has a successful father, large home, and close-knit siblings. Yet Paige has always felt second-best, compared to her athletic brother and smart sister. Although Paige plays piano, sings and composes music, nothing she does seems to garner her parents' notice or approval. Paige tends to get lost in the shuffle. She hopes that making the youth group worship team will make her family more aware of her talents, but even that doesn't work out like she'd hoped.
Kate Kennedy's father is a part-time pastor at a small church and works for the company Paige's father manages. Their family doesn't have much money, but Kate's singing talent is recognized by everyone around her. The two girls meet when Paige buys a guitar from Kate, and they start to communicate via e-mail and on the telephone. When they discover they have both entered the same singer-songwriter contest with a $400 prize, neither is sure how it will affect their friendship. Each girl has a need for the money for different reasons. Can their friendship survive when only one can win?
This is the second novel in Sandra Byrd's Friends for a Season series. Both girls are well-drawn characters with hopes, dreams and motivation to win the money. They are each talented, but Kate is a better singer and Paige is a better songwriter. The end result of the contest is imaginative and interesting - it wasn't a twist that I saw coming. I enjoyed getting to know Paige and Kate, who have a maturity and selflessness that goes beyond their thirteen years.
This is a cute, fun read that moves at a quick pace. The Washington /Idaho locales are described vividly so that readers will feel like they are actually visiting the cities. For anyone struggling to fit in with peers or family, Chopstick offers a great deal of advice and food for thought. It is definitely an inspirational novel. The contest is for writing worship music and both girls attend church and rely on God. The tone is not preachy, however, so those who enjoy a wholesome novel will
Kate Kennedy's father is a part-time pastor at a small church and works for the company Paige's father manages. Their family doesn't have much money, but Kate's singing talent is recognized by everyone around her. The two girls meet when Paige buys a guitar from Kate, and they start to communicate via e-mail and on the telephone. When they discover they have both entered the same singer-songwriter contest with a $400 prize, neither is sure how it will affect their friendship. Each girl has a need for the money for different reasons. Can their friendship survive when only one can win?
This is the second novel in Sandra Byrd's Friends for a Season series. Both girls are well-drawn characters with hopes, dreams and motivation to win the money. They are each talented, but Kate is a better singer and Paige is a better songwriter. The end result of the contest is imaginative and interesting - it wasn't a twist that I saw coming. I enjoyed getting to know Paige and Kate, who have a maturity and selflessness that goes beyond their thirteen years.
This is a cute, fun read that moves at a quick pace. The Washington /Idaho locales are described vividly so that readers will feel like they are actually visiting the cities. For anyone struggling to fit in with peers or family, Chopstick offers a great deal of advice and food for thought. It is definitely an inspirational novel. The contest is for writing worship music and both girls attend church and rely on God. The tone is not preachy, however, so those who enjoy a wholesome novel will
November 6, 2008
Chopstick is the second book in Sandra Byrd’s Friends for a Season Series. From the outside, it might seem like thirteen-year-old Paige has it all: a wealthy family, outgoing siblings, a beautiful home, and a great wardrobe. But Paige isn’t happy. She feels invisible. If only her family and friends could see how talented she was. When she sees the ad for the Worship Works contest, she knows she’s found the perfect way to let her gifts shine before others. Plus, the $400 prize is just what she needs to sponsor two elderly people to get a pet this Christmas.
Thirteen-year-old Kate really does have it all together. She leads the worship team at her church, has lots of friends, and is beautiful. But Kate isn’t happy, either. She’s tired of being poor. Her father, a pastor of a small church, works two jobs just to scrape by. People are always giving them clothing and food, which really embarrasses Kate. If she can’t even afford day-to-day life, how will she find the money for the Wee Care for Kids Christmas program? The Wonder Works contest presents an answer. The money will be just enough.
The two girls meet over the sale of a guitar and become instant friends. They have music in common and decide that a pair of chopsticks will be their “team uniform” since musicians don’t wear team jerseys. They discover they’re both entered in the same contest. Each girl believes winning the contest will be an answer to prayer, but only one girl can win. Who will it be? And can their friendship survive this competition?
I thoroughly enjoyed Chopstick. I fell in love with both girls as they struggled to find their way. They suffered relatable struggles and sacrificed bits of themselves to make their friendship work. Readers will love these girls and their story, which works out to a wonderful and surprising conclusion. Highly Recommended.
Thirteen-year-old Kate really does have it all together. She leads the worship team at her church, has lots of friends, and is beautiful. But Kate isn’t happy, either. She’s tired of being poor. Her father, a pastor of a small church, works two jobs just to scrape by. People are always giving them clothing and food, which really embarrasses Kate. If she can’t even afford day-to-day life, how will she find the money for the Wee Care for Kids Christmas program? The Wonder Works contest presents an answer. The money will be just enough.
The two girls meet over the sale of a guitar and become instant friends. They have music in common and decide that a pair of chopsticks will be their “team uniform” since musicians don’t wear team jerseys. They discover they’re both entered in the same contest. Each girl believes winning the contest will be an answer to prayer, but only one girl can win. Who will it be? And can their friendship survive this competition?
I thoroughly enjoyed Chopstick. I fell in love with both girls as they struggled to find their way. They suffered relatable struggles and sacrificed bits of themselves to make their friendship work. Readers will love these girls and their story, which works out to a wonderful and surprising conclusion. Highly Recommended.
December 1, 2011
One girl sells the other a guitar and they seal their new friendship with a pair of chopsticks from a Chinese restaurant. The girls love music but their lives are very different.
Paige Winsome has always been in the shadow of her athletic brother and her academic sister. She feels like she has to fight for attention in her affluent family and that her musical talents are overlooked.
Kate Kennedy is an only child. Her father is a pastor but has to work a second job to make ends meet. Kate uses her musical abilities in the youth group at church but she feels bad about always having to accept hand-outs from members of the church.
The girls both enter a singer/songwriter competition. The first place prize is $400.00 and an opportunity to sing at the annual Thanksgiving Day football game. Paige wants to use the prize money to donate to an animal rescue group. Kate wants to use the money to buy Christmas presents for needy American Indian children.
The girls are both talented and have what it takes to win the contest. The surprise ending of this story shows how faith and friendship can overcome all obstacles.
This book is realistic Christian fiction for tweens/teens at it's best. The girls in the story face real-life challenges, pressures and heartaches. The one thing that gives them hope for a better future is their Christian faith.
The girls learn to put their own self-interests aside and concentrate on helping others. This book highlights strong family values without being overly saccharine or gooey. Highly recommended for tweens/teens ages 10 - 14!
Paige Winsome has always been in the shadow of her athletic brother and her academic sister. She feels like she has to fight for attention in her affluent family and that her musical talents are overlooked.
Kate Kennedy is an only child. Her father is a pastor but has to work a second job to make ends meet. Kate uses her musical abilities in the youth group at church but she feels bad about always having to accept hand-outs from members of the church.
The girls both enter a singer/songwriter competition. The first place prize is $400.00 and an opportunity to sing at the annual Thanksgiving Day football game. Paige wants to use the prize money to donate to an animal rescue group. Kate wants to use the money to buy Christmas presents for needy American Indian children.
The girls are both talented and have what it takes to win the contest. The surprise ending of this story shows how faith and friendship can overcome all obstacles.
This book is realistic Christian fiction for tweens/teens at it's best. The girls in the story face real-life challenges, pressures and heartaches. The one thing that gives them hope for a better future is their Christian faith.
The girls learn to put their own self-interests aside and concentrate on helping others. This book highlights strong family values without being overly saccharine or gooey. Highly recommended for tweens/teens ages 10 - 14!
May 25, 2013
I am impressed by Sandra Byrd so far. She has created a preteen novel that feels authentic, answering many of the questions of friendship: how is it born, how does it grow, and how can it survive selfishness? Byrd does a good job bringing in a Christian point of view as a natural part of the character's lives. That's most impressive, since Christian fiction at this age level is often forced and contrived.
The only drawback I experienced was getting confused between who was talking. The POV shifts between the two girls and I know I had them backwards for a while there. I'm also confused between Amazon's listing this book as the first one in the series. Clearly, there was a book that came earlier. I didn't feel that I was missing too much though.
One more thing: can someone please edit the parenthetical title above? Friend's should not be possessive here. It is plural (ie. Friends for a Season). Teaching punctuation to youngsters is hard enough without having bad examples all over the place.
The only drawback I experienced was getting confused between who was talking. The POV shifts between the two girls and I know I had them backwards for a while there. I'm also confused between Amazon's listing this book as the first one in the series. Clearly, there was a book that came earlier. I didn't feel that I was missing too much though.
One more thing: can someone please edit the parenthetical title above? Friend's should not be possessive here. It is plural (ie. Friends for a Season). Teaching punctuation to youngsters is hard enough without having bad examples all over the place.
May 30, 2015
First of all, this book has some WONDERFUL lessons about humility, trust in God, selflessness, and what constitutes a really good gift!
Second, this book is Christian fiction, and I don't normally read Christian fiction. I AM a Christian, but I usually find this type of fiction annoying. The characters are usually too perfect or "perfectly flawed." I don't know if those books just don't seem realistic to me or if they make me feel bad about myself because I'm not perfect.
Lastly, this is definitely a "tween" book. It's target audience is 10-12 year old girls. That being said, JK Rowling taught me that I should not disregard a book just because it wasn't specifically written for adults. Just be aware that you might find this too simplistic if you are not the target audience and you usually read books with lots of action.
Second, this book is Christian fiction, and I don't normally read Christian fiction. I AM a Christian, but I usually find this type of fiction annoying. The characters are usually too perfect or "perfectly flawed." I don't know if those books just don't seem realistic to me or if they make me feel bad about myself because I'm not perfect.
Lastly, this is definitely a "tween" book. It's target audience is 10-12 year old girls. That being said, JK Rowling taught me that I should not disregard a book just because it wasn't specifically written for adults. Just be aware that you might find this too simplistic if you are not the target audience and you usually read books with lots of action.
December 10, 2009
This is probably my favorite book in the Friends for a Seaon series! I liked reading about two girls who became fast friends and were dedicated to sharing their honest feelings and no matter what, still being friends. I have a friend like that, and I am so glad. I think if more friendships had this attitude we'd be in a much better place.
Also, the book shows that we should not try to tell God what to do, and we should also not judge other people. It does not turn out well. I also like that the book shows how God uses other people to do His work, and even teaches the reader to let him use others, even when you'd rather be the helper rather than the one receiving help.
Also, the book shows that we should not try to tell God what to do, and we should also not judge other people. It does not turn out well. I also like that the book shows how God uses other people to do His work, and even teaches the reader to let him use others, even when you'd rather be the helper rather than the one receiving help.
October 20, 2009
I recently completed reading chopsticks and it was a very good book!It addressed many challenges that many girls face in their tween years and taught some very very good lessons for young girls!I enjoyed this book and was so happy to own it finally I will be reading this book over many times I can tell!It also taught lessons and the girls in the book went through challenges that all tween girls face as well as me and it addresses things very modestly and I could understand things very well!I would DEFINATELY RECOMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!!
January 3, 2016
Chopsticks was such a great read! I loved the friendship part of the story and how they had to choose between wanting to win themselves and also rooting for their friend, since she also had good reasons for wanting to win the prize.
While the book is geared towards young readers, adults can also enjoy the story and I recommend it...it's a great book, especially for tweens/teens.
*I received a complimentary eBook copy of this book for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
While the book is geared towards young readers, adults can also enjoy the story and I recommend it...it's a great book, especially for tweens/teens.
*I received a complimentary eBook copy of this book for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
July 8, 2013
Great book for junior high girls about trying to be who God wants you to be rather than trying to be a people pleaser or just fit in. A book I want my little girl to read when she is old enough. A good remind ever for adults!
July 28, 2008
I totally loved this book! Need to read it again!
September 7, 2016
I liked it! ;] I commonly shy away from this type of story, but I liked it a lot.
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February 27, 2010F BYR ffas bk.2
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews