Are you looking for a feel good book? Well I suggest (along with, Janet, another staff member here at the West Palm Beach Public Library) the wonderfully sweet and inspirational book by Patricia Polacco The Lemonade Club.

Its the story of two best friends, Traci and Marilyn, and their favorite fifth-grade teacher, Miss Wichelman. These two girls are inseparable and they love just how strong, positive and inspiring their teacher is. Miss Wichelman makes every child in her classroom, especially these two best friends, believe they can be anything… “If you dream it…then you can BE it!” She also ends each class session with “when life hands you lemons, then you make lemonade!” Well, these two girls end up learning about how life can hand you lemons–Marilyn is diagnosed with leukemia and then loses her hair due to chemo. Traci and Miss Wichelman are there for her every step of the way…along with her entire fifth-grade class! Then more lemons arise when Miss Wichelman faces her own challenge but she also has the love and support of her students!

This story is a celebration of life, love and friendship! It’s a perfect book to read over a few nights to your elementary age kids. It is both sad but hopeful and a great way to start a conversation with your family.

As Janet, the mother of four kids says, “This book takes away all the fluff that’s on television today and shows kids that they truly can be what they want…even if the world hands them lemons!”

If you’re looking for more books that teach kids about life’s lessons, check out this article from npr.org: Kids’ books with lessons with lessons for life (thanks to Wendy for sharing this with me!)