Customer Reviews

Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Third grader, Amber Brown, and Justin Daniels have been best friends ever since preschool. They always know what the other is thinking, have created a giant ball of chewed gum that is their prized possession, and have the perfect way to eat Oreo cookies - Amber eats the cream filling, and Justin eats the chocolate cookie shell. Having known each other forever has only worked to help them survive school. After all, they're constantly sticking up for one another when someone decides to tease them about their names - "Amber Brown is not a crayon," "Justin Time" - they help each other out with homework - Justin is the math brainiac, while Amber's strong-point is spelling and penmanship - and they sit next to each other for all class activities. Which is why they both have a hard time accepting the fact that Justin is moving. As a dynamic duo, the two can't imagine being separated. And no, it's not being separated by a town, or a single state, but, rather, thousands of miles. Justin will be in Arizona, and Amber will be stuck in New Jersey. Now, as they begin contemplating what life will be like without the other by their side, disaster strikes, and the two bosom buddies begin fighting like cats and dogs - refusing to even speak to one another. The people around them, from their parents to their beloved teacher, Mr. Cohen, have no idea what to do to get the two pals to make up, and everyone begins to wonder whether the two will manage to mend their friendship, before it's too late.

I originally read AMBER BROWN IS NOT A CRAYON when I was in the fourth grade, and instantly fell in love with Amber. Paula Danziger has a magical way of meshing the fun (best friends, school projects) with the serious (moving away), to create a splendid work of fiction that really appeals to young readers. Her ability to bring real-life situations to the forefront, and shine a spotlight on them is inspiring, and will obviously win a place in the heart of readers who are experiencing similar situations. Danziger manages to put various lessons into such a compact book, from conflict resolution, to feeling comfortable enough to reveal your true emotions. Amber is a lovable character, whose sloppy, messy ways make her unique, and easy to relate to; while her friendship with Justin really illustrates just how strong the bond can be between children - even those as young as the two characters in this book. Justin, on the other hand, also brings a diversity to the story, and helps to highlight both his, and Amber's quirks. The two characters play off of one another marvelously, and truly bring their own unique voices to the tale. Step in to the feisty world of Amber Brown and friends!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

I love these Amber Brown books. I'm thirteen, so these books are a fun, light read. The books follow third grader Amber Brown, who, in this book, is coping with the fact that her best friend, Justin, is moving. She must learn to deal with her feelings with Justin. It's funny and sincere and you'll definatly like it!

I liked this book because it is about two best friends named Amber Brown and Justin Daniels. In this book Justin is moving away and he and Amber have a fight. This is a funny book that is full of character! I hope you read to see IF they make up!

Amber Brown is not a crayon, nor is she ready to give up her best friend. Justin Daniels and Amber have been best friends since preschool. They help each other out in school, have races, made a used bubble gum ball together along with a lot of memories. Now Justin's house is up for sale and his family is moving far away. They try to pretend it is never going to happen, until the two come home to a sold sticker over the for sale sign. Yikes, this is not going to be fun. The two friends need to learn how to accept the move and stay friends forever.

Paula Danziger does a great job getting into the mind of a third grader as she writes the stories of Amber Brown. The stories are written for early readers (7-9 years old) or a bit younger if they get some help reading. I think kids can all relate to the idea of not wanting change to occur in their lives or how hard it can be to change. I recommend the Amber Brown books for your young readers - boys or girls can equally enjoy this one!

By Kerri J. Busteed
Author of Will's First Hunt [...]

I like the story Amber Brown is not a crayon. The best character was Amber Brown. I like Amber Brown because she is funny. The story was good because Amber was nice. I also liked the story because it was funny. I think you should read this story because it shows how to get back together when you breakup and be friends.

I love the story Amber Brown is not a crayon. The best character was Amber Brown. I liked Amber because I liked how a boy and a girl were best friends. I like this book because it was fun to read. Everyone should read this book because it is a good book.

This is a fascinating book. It is about a girl named Amber Brown. Her best friend Justin had to move to Alabama. She needs to find another best friend. But nobody is as good as Justin.
I enjoyed it because there were lots of suprises in this fascinating book. It is the first book in the collection. Amber Brown is funny and I would like to be like her.

"Amber Brown is Not a Crayon" is one of the funniest books I have ever read and maybe it could be for you too. In the book, Justin and Amber were best friends. All of a sudden, Justin is moving away and they get in a fight. They figure out that getting in a fight over a silly little move is very silly indeed.

I gave this book five stars because it was humorous, happy, and a really good book.It was about a girl named Amber Brown that gets teased in school because of her name, and about her being a crayon.My favorite part was when Amber and her friend Jason become best friends.

Amber and Justin were best friends. Justin found out that he had to move away and would not let Amber keep the gumball that they had been saving for a long time. They stopped talking to each other at school. Then one day Amber found a present on her desk-it was the gumball! They had a going away party at school with pizza. Everytime Amber thinks of 3rd grade she thinks of Justin and knows that he also thinks of her.