HavE you Read Books 1 and 2 of the Red Shed Series?
HavE you Read Books 1 and 2 of the Red Shed Series?
If you do, this is the perfect book for them! The teens go beyond the typical lemonade stand and deal with grownup business decisions, a business competitor, and even a visit from the Board of Health! If your young friend or family member dreams of someday owning their own business, this book will inspire! -Linda Amazon Verified Purchaser
I really enjoyed this enjoyed this story line. It was easy reading at bedtime and couldn't get enough. -CJM
Perfect story for kids of all ages (5-90)! -Anita H.
This is Jody Cleven's third book, and they just keep getting better. Through this book, readers will learn the importance of having a strong group of friends to count on and get your through tough times. It reminds adults to trust teens to try new things and accept responsibilities while supporting them in their endeavors. It illustrates that people can change for the better. And hopefully the adolescents who read it will learn to think outside the box to what is possible when you have an idea. As an added bonus, if you live in North Carolina, it is just fun when you recognize the different locations highlighted in the story. Well worth the read! -Beth G.
My husband purchased the book as a gift for our granddaughter who just turned 13 on her last birthday a few months ago. She and I took turns reading the book together and especially enjoyed the parts when the kids were working together making money, building their friendships, and making memories. It reminded me of my childhood friends in a small town, and my hope is that my granddaughter can have friends like the characters in your books that will last her a lifetime. -S. H.
The different personalities of these 4 characters will be quickly relatable to all readers. -RDC
Entertaining for kids of all ages! -Alan H.
Another great read for the tween group. It's so refreshing to have a book that you can safely give your child that will develop their character in a positive way. Life lessons are all through this story not the least of which is making your world a better place. Innocence, friendship, kindness, family, traditions, forgiveness, and redemption jump from its pages. -Cheryl T.
Really enjoyed this book. Read it as part of my 11 and 13 year old grandkids home school schedule. They enjoy the adventures of the kids and at the end of each chapter beg me to read another. Would recommend this for any preteen child. -Sherri
The sweetness and life of a small town comes to life with the author's delicious details. A story of possibilities and transformation and that courage is just asking. Enjoy this book no matter what age, it will warm your soul and put a smile on your heart. - D. Marie
The author has written another winner that ,from the first chapter, has lured it's readers into the lives of characters living in a small town and dealing with its ups and downs.
Teenagers will love the challenges even as their parents approve the outcome. -Donna C.
As an adult, I enjoyed A Ribbon on the Willow. I recommended this book to many parents and grandparents. The small town setting and the message to children is important to share. -Anita
Wonderful book! Purchased the book for my Granddaughter. Lorali loved it! -Steve H.
This book is geared towards teens but the message throughout the entire book could be applicable to adults as well. It's an easy read and very enjoyable and honestly gives a a reader something to think about themselves. -Laura B. of Raleigh, NC
A beautiful story on friendship with such minute details. The descriptions of the place, characters, and events, I feel as though I know each character personally. A wonderful read! I highly recommend this book. You did it again, Dr. Cleven! - A. Gopalarathnam
This is another winning book. It caught my attention from chapter 1. I absolutely love this book. -K. Slack
A great read for any age. It will make you laugh and cry and feel like you are right there in that small town. Highly recommend to anyone. -Martha
What a sweet, sweet book about friendship and getting to know someone's story before making assumptions about them. This book had me crying more than once, and I'm 40+ years away from '4th - 8th grade' which is the recommended grade level for this book. I highly recommend it for girls...especially the tweens. -CT
Great story with intriguing plot twists. Will hold your attention and leave you with something to think about long after the final page.-RLC
I could barely put it down once I started it. It is a fabulous story of how restorative friendship and faith can be. I have been teaching a group of girls at church since they were in 1st grade. They are now entering 5th - the perfect time for a story that reminds them of the importance of friendship. I'm excited to share it with them this fall. -Molly
Well-written story and a good read for both children and adults. Captivating read that is hard to put down. True friendship and loyalty are two character themes that both tells a story and explores challenges and the gift of friendship. A MUST READ! -Pete
Very sweet story about friendship. I instantly was drawn in with how the author developed her characters. Felt like I was reading about friends of my youth. Currently reading to my grandchildren and they are thoroughly enjoying the story. -Sherri
As a teacher of English in grades 5-12, I have seen my share of girl drama. Every year there is a girl that just doesn't fit in--either she's new to the school, dresses differently, or has interests that are atypical. This book speaks to the hearts of those girls and lets them know that there are other girls just like them, as well as people who care about them and want to help and befriend them. It is a story full of hope, kindness, and friendship. I would recommend it to parents who want a peek at what it means to be a girl between the ages 10 and 17; as well as to children in grades 4-8 who will see themselves in one of the various characters that will make them laugh, cry, and most importantly: feel understood. -Linda
A well-developed and well-thought story of small-town hardships and the unbreakable bonds of true friendship, this story will tug at the heart strings of any reader! Dr. Cleven uses her brilliant skills in writing and communication along with her impressive experience in educating children to present a story that communicates valid lessons in friendship, perseverance, sacrifice and love for others that will greatly impact the lives of anyone who reads her book. A definite must-have for any book shelf! -J. Kyler
Just finished A Ripple in Maggie Pond. It's a quick read highlighting a simpler American life buoyed by conservative small town values, very refreshing in today's frantic urban atmosphere. These wholesome values of home and hearth reflects the bedrock character of our Nation. We need more stories by authors like Jody Cleven that emphasize goodwill and redemption. -Debrad
Every chapter left me wanting more! I felt like I really got to know the characters. Dr. Cleven really has a way with words! I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages looking for a wonderful story of friendship. -Alexandria
I loved the book. It’s for children but I couldn’t put it down. I have recommended this book to many young people in my life. -AH
This is a great book about friendship for all ages! It is a reminder that friendships happen when you have an open heart (even in the most unlikely of situations) and one person can have a positive impact to make a difference in the course of someone’s life.
This book is touching and nostalgic.. It is full of good life lessons about friendship that both kids and adults can benefit from. I am so excited to read this book with my small group ELA class this upcoming school year! Dr. Cleven is an extremely talented educator and writer and it shows in this book!. JB
A Ripple in Maggie’s Pond is mesmerizing, charming and captivating . I read it myself after it was recommended to me by a dear friend. I will purchase 4 copies to give as a gift this Christmas to my grandchildren. The message of family and friendship comes through and grabs hold of your heartstrings. I’m sure my grandchildren will love it as much as I did. -Milk
The characters and events in this book were well developed and believable. The author shows an understanding of events and emotions faced by young girls today and brings back memories of times past to the older reader. RDC
This book is perfect for students in grades 4-8. Not only does it contain valuable life lessons about acceptance and diversity, but it is also a testament to the importance of reading in a person's life. I sat down to read the book for a few minutes and couldn't put it down. I read it cover to cover. The small town setting is something that resonated with me and I think all adolescent readers will connect to the relationships depicted in the story. Teachers will be very happy with the messages it sends about the critical value of being able to read effectively and why reading aloud to your child is so powerful and important no matter their age. This is a great book for all! -Beth G.
The reader (young or old) will be touched and will perhaps always remember the lessons taught between the pages of this book. I purchased A Ripple in Maggie Pond as a gift for all three of my granddaughters. Before giving them the book, I read it cover to cover in one evening. I laughed, I cried, and I saw many familiar characters from my own childhood growing up in a small town. Some of the values and lessons taught include compassion, empathy, bravery, humility, and perseverance. What is certainly clearly communicated is the importance of reading. Dr. Cleven adeptly includes and describes critical components necessary for sound reading instruction demonstrated by the character. Thank you, Dr. Cleven, for creating such a delightful and meaningful story for our precious adolescent readers! I can't wait to see what delights your next book will hold! -Amazon Customer
A Ripple in Maggie Pond is a lovely read for a summer afternoon, for pre-teens and adults alike. Friendship and redemption subjects are well explored and will be appreciated by young ladies and sets a strong moral tone, sometimes missing in today's urban landscape. It takes just about an hour and half for a leisurely read and leaves you smiling and wanting more in future novels. The epilogue explains how all the main characters lives turn out, and again you'll be pleased how that ends. I highly recommended and the author Jody Cleven who has a lot to say. I am looking forward to her next novel, hopefully in the near future. -Tamara W.
As a fourth grade teacher, I read Maggie's Pond to my class. The students were completely engaged during the reading. Both girls and boys identified with the characters and anxiously waited for our read aloud time each day. They enjoyed predicting what they thought would happen next. As the book ended, they wanted to know what author Jody Cleven would write next! -Amazon Customer