Danciger, Paula. Forever Amber Brown. New York: Scholastic Inc., 1997.Genre - Fiction - Family IssuestThis book is about Amber Brown and her time spent during her fourth grade year. Her parents are divorced which leaves Amber feeling confused about Max, her mom's boyfriend. Amber is feeling confused because she actually really likes Max but also misses her dad. Along with these family tensions she is also dealing with the onset of puberty and wanting to grow up. The book ends with her and her mother trying to decide if they should say yes to Max's proposal to be a real family. Amber decides that she does want Max to be a part of her family. She also discovers that even though things change, she will always be herself.tThis book is a coming of age story that deals with the issues that are occurring more often than they used to in today's society. With so many children going through family divorces, this book can help kids understand that even though things can get confusing, they will always be who they are. The book itself is an easy read. It also read's fast enough so that the reader doesn't lose interest. There are also pictures every couple of pages. I would say this book is intended for kids that are just beginning to read chapter books. I think all kids should be able to read this even if they have a healthy family. It opens children up to the reality that other kids are going through.
We are working our way through the Amber Brown series by Paula Danziger. It's a good group of stories that starts out with easy readers (when Amber is younger) and moves up to chapter books, following Amber and her family and friends through the early years of Elementary School. Amber experiences heartaches, confusion and frustration as she deals with her parents' divorce, her parents dating other people, friends who move away and other serious issues within the continuing plot line. But she also experiences small bits of joy, fun and adventure throughout the series. We've read most of the books now and are left with Amber Brown Is Feeling Blue and Amber Brown Is Green With Envy. We will be a bit sad to say goodbye to Amber, but I am looking forward to reading other books by Paula Danziger, like The Cat Ate My Gymsuit and starting some books by Judy Blume, like Freckle Juice.
What do You think about Forever Amber Brown (1997)?
This was a fun, quick book to read to my little one. It's pretty kid-friendly and simple context. In the story, Amber has to face some change and in the end decides that some things will change and some stay the same, but she will always be herself.This book is written from the perspective of nine-year-old Amber Brown, so it's very easy to follow and relatable if you're about 8 or 9 years old and a girl. So, I recommend this as a great and enjoyable book for girls ages 8-9 years old. If you're older than that, this book can be a little dull and redundant at times, and I do not recommend it.
—Luisa
Don't know if I would have responded quite so strongly to this book if a) my seven-year-old hadn't urged me to read it and b) same said seven-year-old is going through almost EXACTLY the same thing in her own life. Amber Brown is the child of divorce. She wants her parents to get back together even though she knows it probably won't happen. She wants her mom to be happy, but she's not sure she wants that happiness to involve her new boyfriend, Max. It's a story told simply, yet funnily with a ton of personality, much like Ramona or Allie Finkel. And if you have children in your lives who are currently dealing with the divorce of their parents, this is a series you should absolutely pick up for them.
—Brian Hodges
