I love this book. I didn't want it to end and still wonder what happened to the characters. I learned some wonderful life lessons from this book! I would highly recommend this book for everybody to put on their 'must read' lists.

This is a simple story and a very easy read. It would almost qualify as beach reading until you get to the end and all of the secrets are revealed. Lots of great life insights and lessons to be learned.

I was excited about this book, and wanted to enjoy it, and was therefore disappointed to find it dull and reminiscent of teen fiction. The writing style (written from the perspective of a 9-year-old) is choppy, with constant swearing from the character of Freeda. This was grossly overused and distracting (although in keeping with her "rough around the edges" character). I didn't find the transition to the "surprise" truth revelation to be well formed. The story seemed to plod along with each chapter much the same as the prior, with no real story development to shape the build-up of the pinnacle in only the last 5 chapters. (I kept thinking, "is something eventually going to happen here? The book's almost done!"). I was hoping that the actual "book of bright ideas" itself would include some philosophical nuggets of wisdom from a child's perspective, but found them all to be somewhat useless, even to the storyline. There were no touching "awh" moments, and the girls' friendship didn't seem to ever truly gain enough momentum or substance to a point worthy of a childhood best-friendship, let alone a life-long connection. The "book of bright ideas" itself didn't hold enough presence in the novel to be considered a worthy enough character after which the title should be named. In summary, insufficient character and plot developments; poor story transitions; undeveloped concepts; not enough attention given to the crux; and overall weak writing. Better suited for a freshman or sophomore high school summer reading list.

good, easy read. You will fall in love with Winnalee

Everyone in our book club absolutely loved this book. The characters are all very endearing and you can't wait to see how it ends.

“The Book of Bright Ideas” by Sandra Kring

Bright Idea #101: Read this book!
Bright Idea #102: Give this book to your BFF!

Reading this book was a pure delight. From the first sentence, … ”I should have known that summer of 1961 was gonna be the biggest summer of our lives.”, ….. to the very last sentence of this sweet novel, …. “That you have to go on believing anything’s possible, or else, what’s the point?”…. I was charmed by this coming of age tale.

Life was simple in 1961: family picnics, fireworks, climbing trees, bicycle rides, roller skating, hula hoops, camp outs, homemade ice cream, and family car rides were some of what we did for fun. This book takes you back to that place in time.

The story is narrated by Button: 9 years old, shy, insecure, mature, wise for her age, responsible, and perhaps a bit lonely. When into the neighborhood arrives Winnalee: 9 years old, spunky, imaginative, spontaneous, carries her mothers’ ashes in an urn wherever she goes, plays in ‘dress up’ clothes, and writes in her ‘book of bright ideas’.

We watch as dull lives become colorful and exciting; as life lessons are learned; and as two young girls, pure in spirit and sheer in innocence, become best friends. Its one summer place you’ll want to revisit.

Part of the fun reading this novel was waiting to see what the next bright idea was, and how it came about. Here’s an example: “Bright Idea #90: After you play beauty shop, your husband might say you look like a beauty queen, or he might just ask you where the Phillips screwdriver is. Either way, it doesn’t matter, as long as your new hair makes you think nice things about yourself.”

Sandra Kring is an incredible writer. She writes this lovely story in the voice of 9 year Button. The following is how ‘Button’ describes the sky, upcoming storm, and her stomach: “….the clouds were piling up like giant marshmallows stacked on a white plate….the sky was blinking like Christmas and my stomach was swirling with scared.”


I loved this book! Get It! Read It! I understand Ms. Kring is working on a sequel! :)
from my book bagg brief @ www.keepitsimplesweetee.com/books.htm

I really liked this book. We had read a very heavy novel for book club before this one. So this was a nice change. It's light and quick, funny, and sad at times. It was a good read and will give us plenty to talk about at book club.

While the first book in this series offered a glimmer of hope for one little girl, for the other it was just more of the same chaos in her already messy life ... However, by the second in the series everything gets wrapped up with a bow ...

Our club unanimously enjoyed this book. We found it to be very touching. The characters are loveable and we want to know more about them and what happens next in their lives. There is a sequel, but I'm not sure it is as good. We will read it and find out.