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Jennifer Chambliss Bertman's avatar

I wanted an older sister and a younger sister and a younger brother when I was a kid. I already had an older brother, so I guess I wanted one of each? I loved so many different kinds of books, but animals, magic, friends creating clubs and games, and mystery were often part of my favorites. (Not all in one book, although if that existed, I would have loved it!)

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Katie Wickliff's avatar

I have a feeling you could write that exact book! ;)

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Jennifer Chambliss Bertman's avatar

You know . . . that's not a bad idea! I'd certainly like to try.

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Katie Wickliff's avatar

Honestly my almost 5th grader would be all over that one!!

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Darcy's avatar

Oooh, Bea and the New Deal Horse was such a fantastic recommendation from you! Did you ever read Misty of Chincoteague?

I wanted an older brother and almost exclusively read the Babysitter Club to my parents chagrin. But I guess it worked out just fine ;)

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Abby Murphy's avatar

I read the Thoroughbred books TO DEATH when I was a kid! My friend and I even pretended we were jockeys who owned our own stable of horses. Also read all the Marguerite Henry books again and again and again...

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Katie Wickliff's avatar

I’m glad you read them too! I got nostalgic look at the covers when linking the thrift books page! My friend just texted me to say she wanted to be a jockey when she was a kid! Also I just found some Marguerite Henry books for my daughter in a little free library!

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Sarah Miller's avatar

Ivy and Bean is polarizing? I've never heard of this -- tell me more!

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Katie Wickliff's avatar

I've read some things about Ivy and Bean being "disrespectful" and "sassy" to adults, etc. Also Ivy's "witchcraft" which obviously is not witchcraft... It's a small group, so maybe polarizing is an overstatement, but I've read it a few different places. Always going to be issues with any book...kinda like your Dogman post, Captain Underpants, etc.

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Sarah Miller's avatar

Ah, okay. All things I've never noticed and don't care about 😂

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Katie Wickliff's avatar

Exactly. Kids want to read about kids being kids, imperfections and everything. Also, their antics make the books hilarious...which keeps kids turning pages...which helps them become lifelong readers...which makes the world a better place! 😂

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Sarah Miller's avatar

I also have to wonder if anyone would object to the "disrespect" and "sassiness" if Ivy and Bean were boys...

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Katie Wickliff's avatar

I think we both know the answer to that, 😏, but I’m glad you mentioned it. It’s an important mental exercise to put boy characters in their places and think about how the responses would differ

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Sarah Miller's avatar

I don't think I've ever heard anyone call a male character, child or otherwise, "sassy"....

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