Loony Lori

Set in the mid-1950s, a new girl joins the third grade class. Lori dresses differently from the other girls and plays with the boys at recess. Everyone in class is thinking that she is not like the other girls at all. However, popular Marsha seeks her out to ask her where she got the beautiful cowboy jacket. They immediately bond with each other, making a cross-your-heart-hope-to-die promise to walk home together every day. The next school day, Marsha confronts her group of friends for calling her new friend Loony Lori. This action has the girls now turning on Marsha and she must take a stand when they force her to pick a side. Marsha is confused and unsure what she should do. If she keeps Lori as a friend, the group will taunt her too. She avoids Lori and hurries home without her, their promise forgotten. Lori is heartbroken and does not understand why her friend is avoiding her. She walks home alone, with tears streaming down her freckled cheeks.

The clothes and children's games may have changed with the times, but the lesson learned in this book can be applied today, as well. The term fair-weather friend is explained in language a child can comprehend. The story is enhanced by the colorful illustrations done by the author's husband. This is their first book.