Daisy Chains

After having read two of Sandra Byrd's adult novels, I decided to check out some of her books for younger readers. I was not disappointed. In each of the books in the Friends For a Season series we meet two girls from different backgrounds who are forging a new friendship with each other. Even though it has been many, many years since I was in my early teens, I very much enjoyed the four books in this series.

Kylie Peterson is thrilled to get her acceptance letter to be a camp counselor. She'll not only have a great summer job, but have fun doing it with her best friend. But before se can pack her bags, she has to sign the commitment paperwork and there are some confusing questions on there, like: How long have you been a Christian and give your testimony. What's all that about? Aren't people born Christian? Jewish-born Rachel Cohen is sick of living in the shadow of her dead aunt. Just because she died as a teenager and they share the same name doesn't mean that will happen to her. But her father continues to make every decision for her, even about how she will wear her hair. Rachel decides to make a few decisions of her own, without telling her father. Both girls receive a mysterious offer from Jed, Kylie's cousin, and Rachel's cousin's fiancé. He needs their help with the wedding flowers. The girls agree to help, intrigued by the romantic act Jed is planning and by the fact that Jed is a Christian and his fiancé, Davina, is Jewish. Life becomes more confusing as Davina shares about her faith. How can someone be both Jewish and Christian? Davina's testimony brings answers to Kylie's confusion about her camp application, but raises questions in Rachel's heart. Her family was deeply hurt by Davina's conversion. But what Davina shares about Yeshua makes sense. What if he was the messiah the Jewish people have been waiting for? Another great read from Sandra Byrd. What an intriguing story of questions and answers. I had a great time reading about Kylie and Rachel's struggles and how Davina's life testimony impacted them. Sadly, this is the fourth, and final, book in the Friends for a Season series. I wish there were more and anxiously await Sandra's next book. Highly recommended.

I've read about all of Sandra Byrd's books for young adults and I've thoroughly enjoyed all of them---Daisy Chains is no exception. Sandra Byrd's books allow me to empathize with the characters, take on their experiences, learn their lessons, and incorporate them into my own life. If you like a book with interesting and dynamic characters, a warm message, and good insight and/or if you're simply looking for some advice, this book is for you!

Part of the "Friends For A Season" series, Daisy Chains by Sandra Byrd is the entertaining young adult novel of Kylie Peterson and Rachel Cohen and their quick friendship as the two of them are both invited to help out with a wedding between separate cousins of each. As the two progress as friends, their fascination with their cousin's religion, (one being Jewish and the other not), opens the gate to an interesting investigation, Daisy Chains takes the young reader through the women's most intimate struggles with their emotion, self-discoveries, and their faith. For its entertainingly creative interpretation of teenage life and concerns, Daisy Chains is very highly recommended for all young readers.

Daisy Chains is the fourth and final book in the beloved Friends for a Season Series by Sandra Boyd. I am sad. I've read all four books, reviewed three of them and enjoyed each and every one for their individual story and message. Each book is a "stand alone" but the series has a distinct flavor and message that will be missed. I loved that each book was about two girls who became friends for a season. We learned what they care about, what their struggles were, how they learned to live with themselves, their families and with God. Fourteen-year-olds Kylie and Rachel's commonality is that their cousins are going to be married to each other in Victoria, British Columbia. Kylie's cousin Jed is the groom and Rachel's cousin, Davina is the bride. The stumbling block for Davina's family is that she has accepted Christ as the Messiah. With the backdrop of school ending, summer jobs beginning and a wedding to prepare for, Kylie and Rachel each begin to examine their faith. Kylie thought she was born a Christian but learns there is more to becoming a follower of Christ than a label. Rachel is confused. She doesn't understand that while Davina believes in Jesus as the Messiah, she is still Jewish. While she observes her cousin living her faith, she begins to examine her own beliefs. Boyd carefully and thoughtfully examines and portrays the spiritual journey of a Jewish girl who is confused and confronted with the idea that Jesus just might be the Messiah. And at the same time she examines the journey to understand another young girl who thought she was a Christian--just because she was born into a home where they called themselves Christians. Armchair Interviews says: Daisy Chains is not only a good read, but also one that will educate at the same time.