Pen Pal Gals: Friends Forever (Paperback)

Pen Pal Gals: Friends Forever is a delightful story about two girls who become fast friends after meeting while on vacation. We get to see their friendship develop and deepen during a week of fun and adventures, and we witness their dismay when it's time to leave. Writing letters to each other seems to be a way to keep in touch, so Reese and Addie agree to become pen pals. As I read this, I was flooded with memories and emotions as I was taken back to a time of attending 4H Camp and meeting kids from other Kentucky counties. I recalled how sad I was when we had to leave until, just like Reese and Addie, we agreed to stay in touch by becoming pen pals! This book is written in an engaging manner, as author Julie Thiessen offers a realistic look at making new friends during summer vacation. There are some brightly colored illustrations to add to its visual appeal, making it a wonderful transition from picture book to chapter book, and a great suggestion for teachers and librarians! I especially liked the emphasis on making friends, working to keep them, and using letter writing as a way to do it. There are even four pages of decorated stationery to encourage young girls to write those letters! This book is perfect for the avid readers in your life, but it's also a great way to entice reluctant readers to want to read. I highly recommend Pen Pal Girls: Friends Forever and I hope that there will be more Pen Pal Gals in the future. I received a complimentary copy from the author via iRead Book Tours. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.