Fur-Ever Yours, Booker Jones

by Betsy Duffey

Twelve-year-old Booker Jones turns to his writing once again to deal with the stress of his seemingly insensitive parents' decision to vacation together, leaving family and laundry behind.

112 pages, Hardcover

First published June 25, 2001

About the author

Betsy Duffey grew up with a love of reading and writing. Her earliest experience in writing came from reading manuscripts by her mother author and Newbery winner, Betsy Byars. She began writing in 1990 and has published over twenty children’s books, including a number of popular series. Her books have been Junior Library Guild selections, Crown Award nominees, and have been nominated for state awards in over twenty states.
Her latest books are devotional books for adults. She began writing short meditations for friends who were challenged in different ways. More Peace started for a friend undergoing chemotherapy. More Hope for a young friend dealing with infertility. The series continues to grow.
Betsy splits her time between Atlanta and the Georgia mountains. When she is not writing you can probably find her outside hiking in the woods or on the porch in a rocking chair with a good book.

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son struggles with reading and comprehension so we read this book together today. I never really know what to expect from books on this level, but as an adult, who is an aspiring author, I really enjoyed this book. Booker learns that there is always room for improvement, people giving you feedback are not trying to be mean, and that choosing to step up and deal with a problem is the hardest step!

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Booker, a budding writer, has a lot to deal with. Libba (the Sistoid) is learning how to drive; Germ (his best friend) all of a sudden is writing limericks and is wowing the Writer's Club. To make matters worse, his parents decide to go on vacation in Mexico and they leave Booker in charge of the laundry and his recent submissions to Hammerstein Books have been rejected. But most upsetting is Pop: he isn't eating, he isn't leaving his room and Libba and Booker don't know what to do. All Pop does is read from his journals and tries to remember what the river looks like. So, Booker and Libba decide to drive him out to his old house, so that Pop can see what he's forgotten.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good! I really liked how the author slid some concepts of creative writing into the story. Cole also enjoyed this. We're going to take it to his 5th grade teacher and see if she'd like to read it to the class.

[Partridge Public]

Duff, Betsy