Sarah Learns a Lesson

Sarah Learns a Lesson is book #5 in the Anna's Friends series of 8 books for the 3rd grade level, or age 8-10. (See The Assignment, Book #1 and Anna's Friends Save the Animal Shelter, Book #2, The Hayride #3, Hiro Plays Tiny Tim #4). Book #5 is a delightful story about how Sarah just can't get enough books. She is furious when she discovers the Green Tree Bookstore is closing the kid's section. Sarah pleads her case to Mrs. Tumbleweed to put the books back. After a 3-week book-a-thon at school, a snow storm, and a family game, Sarah gets a fun surprise and learns that family and friends are really important...maybe as important as reading!

This excerpt shows us Sarah’s dedication to reading and how she influences the local book store owner to create a kid’s section:

“Sarah, not now. I’m busy.” Mr. Lumpkin told her.

“I want to know where the kid’s books are?” Sarah put her hands on her hips and made her complaint. “You have to have kid’s books so we can read. You’re a book store and we want books too.” She continued making her case. “Did you give my letter to Mrs. Tumbleweed? You promised you would give it to her.”

Mr. Lumpkin closed his eyes and lowered his head in his hands.

The very tall lady stopped talking and thumbed through a large binder she was holding in her hands. She pulled out a piece of paper and held it out in front of her like it had the flu or something and began to read, having a hard time reading Sarah’s cursive writing.

Dear Mrs. Tumbleweed, My name is Sarah Sims. I am eight years old and in the third grade at Praston Elementary School. I’ll be nine in February. I am learning to write cursive. I visit your store sometime with my mom because I love to read and some of my friends do to. I think you will sell more books if you have a place just for kids to sit down and read some of the books they might want to buy. Your store should be a fun place for us to come, don’t you agree?

Thank you,
Sarah Sims

“Are you this Sarah Sims?” Mrs. Tumbleweed asked sternly.

“Yes, I am. Who are you?” Sarah asked with confidence.

“I’m Mrs. Lois Tumbleweed.” The lady leaned down and reached out her hand to shake Sarah’s, but Sarah didn’t want to shake back. She had to get to know adults before she took a liking to them, especially if they didn’t look friendly, and Mrs. Tumbleweed didn’t look too friendly.

“Well, Miss Sarah Sims, why are you so interested in us selling more kid’s books?”

Sarah took a breath. She hesitated a bit to formulate her thoughts.

“Because! Because, we have to read in order to learn. If we don’t read, we will grow up stupid. If we don’t read, we won’t know how to live in this world. If we don’t read, you will be stuck with a lot of problems when we grow up.” Sarah stood still waiting for a response from Mrs. Tumbleweed. But instead of replying the store owner just stared at her. Sarah stared back.

Early reviews: Tammy: “Kendyl and I have loved it! We are reading it together, laughing and learning. The book prompted Kendyl to ask me what was her gift. I said let’s keep reading and find out. She has a servant’s heart. It also prompted Kendyl to think about her friends and classmates and their gifts. What’s great is that this age group can relate so well to the author’s purpose. It comes shining through clearly. I didn’t tell Kendyl the theme of the book…she