Gloria's Way

It's has been very difficult trying to find books for my twin 8yr old daughters. I wanted a series of books with the star character being an African American girl just having fun and doing kid stuff. A book that will make them know that reading is fun. This book does just that and more. If you're looking for a great chapter book for an African American girl, then author Ann Cameron's "Gloria Rising" and "Gloria's Way" is it. Also, try Valerie Wilson Wesley's series of "Willimena Rules".

We love Ann Cameron's books and were excited to see Gloria has her own book now. My daughter (age 7) loves to hear the stories, almost always asking me to stop half way through because they are SO real for her. I have learned, of course, to reassure her that the story will turn out all right and read on. The first story about Gloria's valentine for her mother is very touching. We also enjoyed the story about the dog barking at squirrels non-stop. You see--we read this book almost a year ago and I still remember the stories!

Like all the best children's literature, Ann Cameron's Julian series is a delight for readers of any age. The latest in the series, "Gloria's Way," features one of Julian's best friends, Gloria. These are likeable, believable kids in believable families, and their stories ring true. Cameron has the rare adult ability to slip into a child's mind. The result is wise, entertaining stories told with sensitivity, humor, and grace. Like Gloria, children (and adults) will be reminded that "things aren't hardly ever the way I think they are." As often as not, this revelation is a comforting surprise.

As a children's librarian, I had known that Ann Cameron's books about Julian and Huey, beginning with THE STORIES JULIAN TELLS were modern classics, but I hadn't read them until just recently. I was charmed and delighted with these sweet, lovely stories about a group of African-American children and their adventures.GLORIA'S WAY, which features Julian's friend Gloria is another jewel in this series. In the first story, Gloria spends a long time crafting a beautiful, intricate valentine for her mother. She hangs it on the outside of the door to surprise her when she comes home, but much to her horror, the wind steals her valentine. Gloria gives chase, but the valentine ends up in the cage of an insulting and slightly scary parrot, who destroys it. Angry and upset, she walks back down the block, but as she goes by Julian's father's auto shop he stops her, and helps her find a solution to her problem. In other adventures, Gloria helps cure Huey's dog of un unhealthy squirrel obsession, learns more about her hard-working father, and finds out that it's not always a good idea to ask your best friend whether or not he likes you best.Cameron's stories ring true--never cloyingly sweet, the children are real individuals, not cardboard cutouts. My favorite thing about GLORIA'S WAY, as well as the other books in the series, is that it portrays a wonderful view of community--two parent families who care about their children, and about their children's friends. I love the fact that Julian's dad has a shop in the neighborhood, and that he would stop his work to comfort Gloria when she was upset.I highly recommend GLORIA'S WAY to everyone. This would be a perfect read-aloud for a school classroom for families, as well as a good book for 3rd-4th graders to read alone.