Books with author Laura Joy Smith

Jamie and her family have just moved into their new house on a horseshoe-shaped street surrounding a playground. There is a lot to get used to at first. Her brother, Luke, has nightmares. Her sister, Becky, acts like a baby, and all three of them miss their grandparents whose house they had lived in until now. While Jamie’s dad is at work and her mom works from home, Jamie is in charge of her brother and sister for the summer. At the playground, they are introduced to all of the neighborhood kids. Together, they teach each other their favorite games, make up new ones, go on many adventures, and end up having the best summer ever.

"Samidi is an elephant who was born with a hugely deformed trunk. He had a difficult time adjusting to carrying such a massive burden. He was teased and bullied by the other jungle children and adolescents and even some adults. His best friend and confidant was his mother, Ryah. who encouraged him to be the best person he could be and to ignore all the others. She let him know that he was special and that she was very proud of him. Samidi grew to be strong, loving and kind despite all the things that were done to him. He finally was able to show his loving and caring nature to all the jungle animals in spite of the way they had treated him. His greatest gift was total and forgiving love. "

Seagulls Don’t Eat Worms uses children’s love of animals to show them the benefits of sharing, cooperating, and trying new things. Written from a bird's perspective, this charming story teaches that friendship is found in the least likely places. In it, a nestling wren who wants to soar high in the sky, like the big birds, tumbles into the lair of a cranky seagull protecting his catch. The pair find out they have much in common. Best suited for children ages three to eight.

This the story of a little girl with a brand new red ball. She never had to share any of her toys before. For she had always kept all her thing to herself. So when the little girl next door want to play with her new red ball she had to do some serious thinking. She didn't want her new ball to get dirty or to be hurt. She liked the little girl next door and she really did like her new red ball....

Jamie and her family have just moved into their new house on a horseshoe-shaped street surrounding a playground. There is a lot to get used to at first. Her brother, Luke, has nightmares. Her sister, Becky, acts like a baby, and all three of them miss their grandparents whose house they had lived in until now. While Jamie’s dad is at work and her mom works from home, Jamie is in charge of her brother and sister for the summer. At the playground, they are introduced to all of the neighborhood kids. Together, they teach each other their favorite games, make up new ones, go on many adventures, and end up having the best summer ever.

Hello there! My name is Pink Kitty I am so happy to meet you! Let me ask you... Have you ever met a bird raised by a mouse who gardens and builds houses? Or how about a mouse who has a recording studio in a house built by her older brother? Bet you don’t know any famous rock star cats? Or how about a cat who is a famous photographer? And did you know that the cats in Kitty town don’t hunt for and eat birds or fish. Sound interesting? Well then come along and join me, Pink Kitty, as I introduce you to my family and friends who all live in the ecologically, friendly, and fun Kitty Town—where everyone loves, respects, and accepts everybody and every thing. So come on in and let’s go for a walk! Meow!

How do you move on when It's Over? When four college roommates lose pieces of their lives, the pain isolates and the tension rises. Emotions are hard to hide and even harder to tackle. How can the girls move forward, when there is so much pain in letting go? Together, Claire, Kat, Palmer, and Hannah learn to lean on God and each other, and through it all they learn loss is a part of life. "In It's Over, Laura L. Smith confirms the truth we've been told that we are never alone in the midst of heartache and struggle. In fact, she takes us to a place where we not only get to see, but feel deeply the truth of the fact that every single one of us has a story. Everyone single one of us has experienced pain. But more importantly, that every single one of us has great hope. Smith's writing strikes a deep chord in my heart. It makes sense. It's real--and in my opinion, that transparency makes all the difference." ~Holly Starr, Christian recording artist. "Laura L. Smith speaks for the broken. With a voice that's warm and true, Laura gives words to those rendered speechless by issues that high school and college girls should never have to deal with--but so many of them do. In writing that's raw, relevant, and real, Smith goes where few authors dare to go: straight into the heart of today's young woman." ~Amy Parker, bestselling author "YA author, Laura l. Smith, crafts another story that will appeal to all girls, because no one is untouched by heartache in all its forms. The grace Smith extends the four girls in It's Over will touch readers in deep ways, as they follow these characters through some of the worst parts of life. Best of all, they'll cheer when the girls lean on one another and find ways to be thankful in everything. This is a fantastic read, one that will resonate with teens, college girls, and their mothers." ~Laura Kurk, author of Glass Girl and Perfect Glass

It’s 1995, and 11-year-old Heidi Williams is just getting used to junior high school when tragedy strikes. One night, her house catches on fire, and she and her parents and adopted brother, Danny, are forced to move into an old rundown house while their house is reconstructed. Heidi is separated from her only friends: her elderly neighbor, Violet and her niece Jenny. She has no clothes or possessions, and everyone at school stares at her like she’s some kind of a freak. While in her new neighborhood, though, Heidi meets Dorothy, the girl next door who befriends her and takes Heidi on new adventures while at her temporary house. With Dorothy’s friend Stacey sometimes along for the ride, they go trick-or-treating, take bus trips to the mall, babysit, celebrate Stacey’s birthday, attend a school dance, and try to find out if a popular eighth grade boy may have a crush on Heidi. What starts as a tragedy turns out to be one of the best things that could ever happen to her.

Emma is angry. She’s angry at her siblings, who she always has to baby sit; her parents, who are divorcing and ruining her life in the process; and herself for not measuring up to anyone’s standards.With her simmering feelings ready to spill over at any time, Emma's self-worth plummets. Her faith in God is tested in the face of overwhelming hurt that threatens to send her over the edge. Can she turn back in time?Online study guide companion available.

Eight-year old Penelope and her best friend, Mandy -- a stuffed elephant, search for their roots, but find much more in Cantaloupe Trees. Guided by a fledgling fairy named Impy, they tour the magical Parade of Trees questing for the places where they were grown. Their adventure takes Penelope and Mandy to a myriad of fantastical trees hosted by amazing fairies. They experience marvels such as flying and tasting enchanted food, but are also faced with the darkness of deceit and the challenges of friendship. Along this flying road trip, Mandy finds things much more troubling to an elephant than mice, and Penelope makes a decision which will alter both her and Mandy’s fate forever.