Book Details:
Book Title: Pen Pal Gals: Friends Forever by Julie Thiessen
Category: Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 64 pages
Genre: Juvenile Fiction/Early Chapter Book
Publisher: Mascot
Release date: February 1, 2022
Tour dates: February 1 to February 21, 2022
Content Rating: Rated G. Suitable for everyone
Book Description:
Meet Reese and Addie―two girls, one great friendship. It’s summer
break! Reese is on her way to vacation at Camp Lake Shore with her
family. When Reese meets a new friend, Addie, the two immediately
connect and form a lasting friendship. Swimming, boating, laughing, and
soaking up the sun are just a few highlights of their summer vacation.
The girls become best friends. When their vacation comes to an end,
Reese realizes she may never see Addie again. Determined to stay in
touch forever, can Reese and Addie find a way to continue their
friendship and share their adventures?
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MY THOUGHTS.....
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.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A CONVERSATION WITH JULIE THIESSEN
Julie, I am so honored to feature this book on my blog today. I have a granddaughter who will be eight-years-old in about ten days, and I'm excited to share it with her. After reading your book, I wondered if it reflected your own experiences. Pen Pal Gals: Friends Forever is set at a summer camp lake retreat. Have you ever been there?
Yes, I have been there! The lake is a place very familiar to me. I grew up going to the lake each summer with my family where we camped, fished, swam and water-skied. I have many fond childhood memories with family and friends at the lake. I camped each summer with my own best friend at the lake where we shared wonderful times together. My husband also grew up camping at the lake. We love and appreciate the lake and continue this tradition by taking our kids to the lake each summer. We camp and often meet family and friends there. Family time together is something we both value, and what better place to spend time together than the lake! This is where my story began.
I decided to create my book setting at the lake because this is where my daughter, Reese, would meet her cousin Addie each year. Things just fell into place as Reese became inseparable from Addie and they both enjoyed all of the same activities- camping, water skiing, swimming, and new adventures! There was a sense of freedom at the lake, a place where friendships were formed. Unfortunately, we lived far away from Addie and were not able to see her more than just once a year. The two girls thought of a way to keep in touch.
The beautiful warm weather, large body of water, relaxing boat rides, camping by the fire and cooking meals together became the perfect setting. This familiar place to me is a place I wanted to share with others. It was the perfect setting, and reality, of how Reese and Addie’s friendship evolved and where the story of Pen Pal Gals really began.
Julie Thiessen always had a passion for creativity, design, and adventure, but above all, she values her lifelong friendships. With her bachelor's degree in graphic design and the inspiration of her daughter Reese, she created and branded Pen Pal Gals for all to share the gift of an everlasting friendship. Thiessen lives along the beautiful Central Coast of California with her husband, two daughters, and son.
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