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Amber Brown #5

Forever Amber Brown

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Just when Amber Brown thinks everything is settling down, life changes again. She's finally used to fourth grade, her new best friend is really terrific, and her school pictures even look good enough to send to her dad in Paris.
Just when Amber is used to Max being her mom's boyfriend, he asks her to marry him. The way Amber's life keeps changing, will she be able to remain Forever Amber Brown?

101 pages, Hardcover

First published September 9, 1996

19 people are currently reading
317 people want to read

About the author

Paula Danziger

116 books349 followers
Paula Danziger was an American children's author. She wrote more than 30 books, including her 1974 debut The Cat Ate My Gymsuit, for children's and young adult audiences. At the time of her death, all her books were still in print; they had been published in 53 countries and translated into 14 languages.

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5 stars
361 (35%)
4 stars
326 (32%)
3 stars
265 (26%)
2 stars
55 (5%)
1 star
11 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Profile Image for K. Anna Kraft.
1,175 reviews38 followers
June 16, 2024
Another fun installment in the series! As per usual, I have arranged my takeaway thoughts into a haiku:

"As we grow, we learn
There’s no line that can't be changed,
And that can be good."
Profile Image for Jared Burton.
31 reviews1 follower
May 28, 2010
Danciger, Paula. Forever Amber Brown. New York: Scholastic Inc., 1997.
Genre - Fiction - Family Issues
This book is about Amber Brown and her time spent during her fourth grade year. Her parents are divorced which leaves Amber feeling confused about Max, her mom's boyfriend. Amber is feeling confused because she actually really likes Max but also misses her dad. Along with these family tensions she is also dealing with the onset of puberty and wanting to grow up. The book ends with her and her mother trying to decide if they should say yes to Max's proposal to be a real family. Amber decides that she does want Max to be a part of her family. She also discovers that even though things change, she will always be herself.
This book is a coming of age story that deals with the issues that are occurring more often than they used to in today's society. With so many children going through family divorces, this book can help kids understand that even though things can get confusing, they will always be who they are. The book itself is an easy read. It also read's fast enough so that the reader doesn't lose interest. There are also pictures every couple of pages. I would say this book is intended for kids that are just beginning to read chapter books. I think all kids should be able to read this even if they have a healthy family. It opens children up to the reality that other kids are going through.
Profile Image for Katie.
643 reviews14 followers
July 24, 2016
Genre: Juvenile fiction, realistic fiction
Format: print
Plot: Amber Brown's mother's new boyfriend has just proposed, and Amber has to deal with this new development after her parents' recent divorce.
Readers advisory: Divorce
Review citation: SLJ 1998
Source: Best Books for Children
Recommended age: 6-8
Profile Image for Samantha.
106 reviews1 follower
December 15, 2011
Amber Brown reminds me of an older Junie B. She is just as funny. Amber struggles with change in this book and can't decide if she wants her mom to marry her boyfriend, Max. Would be great for kids struggling with divorce and step families.
Profile Image for Jen.
1,581 reviews
May 4, 2023
I listened to this one via audiobook and have gotten used to the new narrator since last time.

In this book, Amber Brown finds herself not only worrying about her yearly school photos but also major changes possibly happening in her and her mother’s life. I like how these books handle the delicate topic of divorce and new parental figures entering the picture. Max is actually pretty sweet and I’m glad Amber is becoming more comfortable with him. The ending was sweet and the constant jokes were a nice touch.

3.5 Stars!


Favorite Quotes:

“If she’s so concerned about neatness, she should have given birth to a vacuum cleaner.”
Profile Image for Pinky.
1,662 reviews
February 15, 2025
The progression of Amber’s relationship with her mom’s boyfriend is nice, as is the way she is moving forward with school relationships. Things are progressively more tense with her dad who is overseas and that is painful to read about. Amber is a funny character.
Profile Image for Maximilian Lee.
450 reviews1 follower
October 3, 2017
I didn't like this book because I did't even like this series in the first place but my dad kept on getting the books for me. The book was about Amber being Amber.
Profile Image for Dolly.
Author 1 book671 followers
January 31, 2011
We are working our way through the Amber Brown series by Paula Danziger. It's a good group of stories that starts out with easy readers (when Amber is younger) and moves up to chapter books, following Amber and her family and friends through the early years of Elementary School. Amber experiences heartaches, confusion and frustration as she deals with her parents' divorce, her parents dating other people, friends who move away and other serious issues within the continuing plot line. But she also experiences small bits of joy, fun and adventure throughout the series. We've read most of the books now and are left with Amber Brown Is Feeling Blue and Amber Brown Is Green With Envy. We will be a bit sad to say goodbye to Amber, but I am looking forward to reading other books by Paula Danziger, like The Cat Ate My Gymsuit and starting some books by Judy Blume, like Freckle Juice.
Profile Image for Brian Hodges.
212 reviews65 followers
October 21, 2011
Don't know if I would have responded quite so strongly to this book if a) my seven-year-old hadn't urged me to read it and b) same said seven-year-old is going through almost EXACTLY the same thing in her own life.

Amber Brown is the child of divorce. She wants her parents to get back together even though she knows it probably won't happen. She wants her mom to be happy, but she's not sure she wants that happiness to involve her new boyfriend, Max. It's a story told simply, yet funnily with a ton of personality, much like Ramona or Allie Finkel. And if you have children in your lives who are currently dealing with the divorce of their parents, this is a series you should absolutely pick up for them.
Profile Image for Luisa.
48 reviews
January 19, 2017
This was a fun, quick book to read to my little one. It's pretty kid-friendly and simple context.

In the story, Amber has to face some change and in the end decides that some things will change and some stay the same, but she will always be herself.

This book is written from the perspective of nine-year-old Amber Brown, so it's very easy to follow and relatable if you're about 8 or 9 years old and a girl. So, I recommend this as a great and enjoyable book for girls ages 8-9 years old. If you're older than that, this book can be a little dull and redundant at times, and I do not recommend it.
Profile Image for Bärbel.
506 reviews
February 4, 2024
Peategelaseks on 9-aastane tüdruk Amber Brown, kelle vanemad on lahutatud, isa elab teises riigis, ema käib väljas uue silmarõõmuga ning Amberi parim sõber on hiljuti teise linna kolinud. Emotsioone jätkub.
Ema kavaler Max on küll väga tore, aga kui hakkavad kostma abielu-jutud, siis muutub Amber murelikuks. Ega ta ometi oma isa ei taha Maxi vastu välja vahetada. Kas on lapsel võimalik armastada kahte n-ö konkureerivat inimest?
Tundus olevat hea lugemismaterjal lastele, kellel on lahutatud vanemad. Poole raamatu peal taipasin, et raamat kuulub seeriasse ning tegu ei ole mitte seeria esimese raamatuga. Tuli välja, et lausa viies 😮 No juhtub.
Profile Image for Carmen.
199 reviews12 followers
May 29, 2014
The pacing is perfect for the 1st-3rd grade audience and deals with an issue not written about much in books for young readers--the changes that come when a divorced parent starts dating and thinking about getting remarried. Amber's worries and anxieties are authentic. What's more, she's also thoughtful, reflective, and a lot of fun. Not quite the spunk of Clementine, less attitude than Junie B., but an altogether relatable character and enjoyable to read.
Profile Image for Monica.
738 reviews13 followers
March 20, 2011
This is a very cute story. Amber Brown is a girl who is 9 years old and talks her life. Her parents are divorced and mom is thinking of getting engaged to Max. She doesn't want things to change or does she.

I found it interesting because it deals with an interesting situation that many children have to deal with. Some not always at a young age.
146 reviews
March 1, 2011
Amber is in fourth grade. Her mom wants to get engaged to Max. Amber isn't sure she wants a step dad, but she likes Max. Amber discovers she can cope with change. A story about dealing with divorce and family issues. Again, I like how Amber and her mother talk about their problems, and that they include Max in their discussions as well.
Profile Image for Christy.
Author 15 books67 followers
June 15, 2014
Just when Amber Brown thinks everything is settling down, life changes again. She's finally used to fourth grade, her new best friend is really terrific, and her school pictures even look good enough to send to her dad in Paris.
Just when Amber is used to Max being her mom's boyfriend, he asks her to marry him. The way Amber's life keeps changing, will she be able to remain.
Profile Image for Jaisha Taveras.
19 reviews
April 19, 2009
This book is about a girl named amber that people call her names and she says that she always would be amber brown no matter what .
I learned that no matter what people say you should always be you. you could find this book in bin RST. In Ms. lacy's room.
Profile Image for Emily.
805 reviews120 followers
March 9, 2011
Amber's mom's boyfriend, Max, asks Amber's mom to marry him. Both Amber and her mother have to decide how to feel about that. A trip to visit Justin's family in Alabama helps them decide.
Again, Danziger portrays a young girl's challenges in a very realistic manner. Amber is entertaining and real.
Profile Image for Lizzy Lan.
190 reviews1 follower
April 3, 2013
Amber gets to go on a surprise trip to Alabama to visit Justin! She's so excited, but she's also nervous because her mom is trying to decide if she should marry her boyfriend, Max. Amber's not sure how she feels about Max marrying her mom, but she sure is excited to see Justin!
Profile Image for Danielle Dykstra.
31 reviews
May 12, 2014
Amber Brown is hilarious! I love her sense of humor in. She is a character you will fall in love with! In this book, Amber talks about her parents getting a divorce and how change can be hard, especially for a kid.
40 reviews
November 5, 2008
I didn't like it TOO much but I still liked it. It was OK.
Profile Image for Kate .
132 reviews1 follower
March 12, 2009
I don't remember this one at all, but I gave 5 stars because that's what I gave the other Amber Brown books.
Profile Image for Ana Bea.
4 reviews
April 17, 2009
i loved this book the reason why is because it shows me how other people might feel when their mom or dad are divorced.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews

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