The Hayride

The Hayride is book #3 in the Anna's Friends series of 8 illustrated 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, Hiro Plays Tiny Tim, Book #3). Book #3 is a heart expanding story about how Maria uses her gift of giving to befriend the new kid at her school.This excerpt shows us how the child with the gift of giving (support) responds to those in need: On the way to Sunday School Maria spotted the same young girl as last week. She pushed her face and hands to the window when the car passed the little girl so she could watch her. "Mama, there she is " Anna told her in a loud voice. "There who is?"The little girl from last week. The one that didn't wear good shoes or a coat. It's colder today than it was last week." The little girl was playing hop scotch on the sidewalk right where she was last Sunday. She still didn't have on any tennis shoes or a coat and it was really cold outside. "Mama stop. Please stop " Maria said loudly. "Stop the car. I need to go to that girl.""No, Chica, you will be late for Sunday School," her mother insisted. "But mama, look. She doesn't even have on a coat and it's so cold outside," Maria argued. The church was only a block away. Maria kept her eye on the girl. Her heart was beating fast. As soon as Mrs. Rodriguez stopped the car at the curb Maria jumped out and ran toward the girl.Maria is a very likeable girl in this fun filled book that takes us on a series of scenario's. From helping a friend who has been bullied to confronting the bully to entering the pumpkin contest at the Fall Festival to meeting Joshua and Sophie. See how she deals with these matters in "The Hayride". 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 figured it out on her own which is important for this audience age. Yvonne is an excellent author " Paola: "I really enjoyed reading this book with my children. It got my children and I thinking about our own God given gifts and how we want to explore them further. We were so into the story that we could feel the emotion coming from the book. We felt Anna's excitement as well as her sorrow at times. It is a great book which I will recommend to anyone You even made my eyes water a few times. Xavier: My 9-year-old son laughed at the silly things Hiro would do to the girls because I think he relates to the character. I like how Mr. Henderson wants his students to share their God given gifts with the world. Aysel: My 10-year-old daughter was into the book and loved how God was included and prayer was mentioned. She really enjoyed reading Anna's Friends. She liked how it was easy to understand and follow. Angela: "I opened the manuscript and began reading a few pages. I was IMMEDIATELY "sucked" into the story and I can't wait to finish what I need to do right now so I may get back to the book. Enough said? I am...I, I don't have the words. This is a God thing."