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The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes #6
The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword
When Abby's class starts a newspaper, Abby envisions herself as the star reporter. But she's only given an advice column to write - and that is not good. (Dear Abby isn't her first choice in nicknames!) Just as she suspects, the column gets Abby in some trouble with her classmates. But, surprisingly, it also gives her a chance to help a friend.
144 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2001
5 people are currently reading
388 people want to read
About the author
Anne Mazer
75 books104 followersQuite a lot of Anne Mazer’s writing education took place while she was unconscious. Her parents wanted desperately to become writers and made themselves get up at 4:00 a.m. Every morning in order to have writing time before their three young children awoke. The first thing Anne heard every day was two big, noisy electric typewriters. The furious sound of typing was her childhood wake-up music. During the day, her parents endlessly discussed ideas, plot, and character, and before she was seven years old, Anne knew about revisions, first and second drafts, and rejection slips. It was like growing up in a twenty four hour, seven day a week writer’s boot camp.
In order to escape from her parents’ obsession with writing, Anne turned to books. She was an avid reader from an early age and credits her love of reading for her writing career. Her favorite works were fantasy, fairy tales, historical fiction, humor, realistic fiction, and adventure. Her other interests were language, art, history, and science. At the age of twelve, she wanted to be an actress, a ballerina and a nuclear physicist. These careers were rapidly eliminated as she realized that a) she couldn’t dance, b) she couldn’t act; and c) she hated math.
Although at the time Anne thought writing was nothing but a nuisance, she now considers herself very lucky to have grown up with two aspiring writers. She learned a lot about discipline, perseverance and dedication to a craft from witnessing her parents’ struggle. They eventually became successful and award-winning young adult novelists.
It took Anne a long time to figure out that she, too, wanted to be a writer. During early adulthood, she worked as an au pair, a bank teller, a pill bottle labeler, a receptionist, an English tutor, and an administrative assistant, as well as other jobs that she was ill-suited for. She attended three universities, spent several years in Paris, traveled throughout Europe, and worked in Boston and New York City.
Anne’s “eureka” moment about writing came while she prepared a research report for one of her bosses. As she lovingly polished each sentence, and meticulously organized the paragraphs, she realized that no one really cared how beautifully she wrote about the latest models of air-conditioners. Except her, of course.
Using her parents’ model of daily writing and discipline, she began to write. It took her seven years to publish her first book, a picture book inspired by her then two year old son, Max.
Anne is the mother of an adult son and daughter. Over the last twenty years, she has written over forty-five books for young readers. She has enough ideas to last for another quarter century and hopes that she will be writing for a very long time.
Fun Facts About Anne Mazer
Her favorite foods are popcorn, rice pudding and blueberries.
When she was a kid, she would sometimes read up to ten books a day.
If she had magic powers, she'd choose invisibility.
She painted the rooms in her house yellow, orange, and violet.
One of her favorite childhood books was The Twilight of Magic, by Hugh Lofting.
When Anne was a teenager, her room was so messy that she needed a map to get from the door to the bed. (sort of)
In school Anne often flunked her favorite creative subjects, like writing and art.
In order to escape from her parents’ obsession with writing, Anne turned to books. She was an avid reader from an early age and credits her love of reading for her writing career. Her favorite works were fantasy, fairy tales, historical fiction, humor, realistic fiction, and adventure. Her other interests were language, art, history, and science. At the age of twelve, she wanted to be an actress, a ballerina and a nuclear physicist. These careers were rapidly eliminated as she realized that a) she couldn’t dance, b) she couldn’t act; and c) she hated math.
Although at the time Anne thought writing was nothing but a nuisance, she now considers herself very lucky to have grown up with two aspiring writers. She learned a lot about discipline, perseverance and dedication to a craft from witnessing her parents’ struggle. They eventually became successful and award-winning young adult novelists.
It took Anne a long time to figure out that she, too, wanted to be a writer. During early adulthood, she worked as an au pair, a bank teller, a pill bottle labeler, a receptionist, an English tutor, and an administrative assistant, as well as other jobs that she was ill-suited for. She attended three universities, spent several years in Paris, traveled throughout Europe, and worked in Boston and New York City.
Anne’s “eureka” moment about writing came while she prepared a research report for one of her bosses. As she lovingly polished each sentence, and meticulously organized the paragraphs, she realized that no one really cared how beautifully she wrote about the latest models of air-conditioners. Except her, of course.
Using her parents’ model of daily writing and discipline, she began to write. It took her seven years to publish her first book, a picture book inspired by her then two year old son, Max.
Anne is the mother of an adult son and daughter. Over the last twenty years, she has written over forty-five books for young readers. She has enough ideas to last for another quarter century and hopes that she will be writing for a very long time.
Fun Facts About Anne Mazer
Her favorite foods are popcorn, rice pudding and blueberries.
When she was a kid, she would sometimes read up to ten books a day.
If she had magic powers, she'd choose invisibility.
She painted the rooms in her house yellow, orange, and violet.
One of her favorite childhood books was The Twilight of Magic, by Hugh Lofting.
When Anne was a teenager, her room was so messy that she needed a map to get from the door to the bed. (sort of)
In school Anne often flunked her favorite creative subjects, like writing and art.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 22, 2015
Reading Abby's column was so much fun!! Her answers were always quirky and witty. I love that girl! ;)
August 23, 2019
the best Abby Hayes book yet! Read aloud with C. She is giving reading it to me a try.
March 19, 2015
Abby Hayes is a fifth grader. She finds out that her class is going to publish a newspaper called, "The Lancaster Lark." She is so excited about this. She knew right away what she wanted to do for the paper. She wanted to be the star reporter. Abby didn't get her wish and ended up being the advice columnist. She didn't like this because she was stuck with boring and stupid questions. Eventually she realized she is good at giving advice. She goes through some struggles but is happy because she gets to help people.
Abby is very good at expressing herself. She is kind, caring, and helpful. She loves to help people. She tries really hard to give great advice on the newspaper. Even when it went bad she didn't give up. She just tried harder. By looking at her advice you can tell that she is very smart and responsible for a fifth grader.
I rate this book three stars. Although it is written well it is not my reading level so I didn't enjoy it very much. I didn't like the format of the book either. It was written like a journal.
I recommend this book to male and female elementary kids. The reading level is low and it is very simplified. This is something they can relate to and enjoy.
Abby is very good at expressing herself. She is kind, caring, and helpful. She loves to help people. She tries really hard to give great advice on the newspaper. Even when it went bad she didn't give up. She just tried harder. By looking at her advice you can tell that she is very smart and responsible for a fifth grader.
I rate this book three stars. Although it is written well it is not my reading level so I didn't enjoy it very much. I didn't like the format of the book either. It was written like a journal.
I recommend this book to male and female elementary kids. The reading level is low and it is very simplified. This is something they can relate to and enjoy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2014
The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes is the series that inspired me to love writing. It was incredibly influential in my early youth and I still own some copies of my favourite books in the series, including this one. I would love it if this series was popular enough that I could mention it and actually have people know what I'm talking about!
December 8, 2011
Abby's class is starting a newspaper called the Lancaster Lark and Abby is the advice columnist and it is hard for her.When Abby decided to do 2 things she made Natalie happy because everyone said great things to her.I learned to be nice to people.Auryn 8yo
December 16, 2012
Definitely a strong series for kids beginning to read chapter books. Well-written and I think nails the thoughts and emotions of the grade school experience. The journal portions add a nice personal touch as well.
August 1, 2007
I liked it because of all the journalisim! I'm a writing freak!
January 14, 2008
This book is okay. but the other ones in the series are better.
April 26, 2008
it was very enchanting
November 16, 2008
Good, better then others
March 23, 2009
good book
Read
February 25, 2010This is really cool.I loved the diary aspect.
September 30, 2011
i loved this book because she called natilie 7 times and she kept on trying to talk to her and she finally talked to her again.Abby did a spotlight on natilie.
November 18, 2012
It was AWSOME!
February 9, 2017
Nothing special. Outdated for sure (floppy discs, etc.). Not recommended, but theme of "never give up and keep trying" is good.
September 9, 2018
I thought that an advice column was a good assignment for Abby because she would give out good and funny answers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2020
This book was really middle of the road good.
Cover
The illustration is pretty simple. But really true to the interior. I like how it does look like a picture taped onto the cover.
I do like the detail that Gabby Abby is on the cover of the paper and it's a nice touch using a purple pen. Considering Purple is our main character's favorite color it's a nice touch sprinkling it all over the front and back.
Interior
Story
The story is pretty standard. It's actually sort of cool how it starts with Abby having lacking of self-confidence and it ends with helping someone else struggling with low self-esteem. Abby's is very overly dramatic and unfocused character. The over dramatizing of of the small moments felt like too much for me. I think the biggest problem for me was it felt like the book was written from the end to the beginning. Some of the scenes felt overly forced to get to get to that proper ending. (Written in After Thoughts) I find it pretty daring that this book actually doesn't give everyone a happy ending. And that giving advice doesn't always work or goes as planned and that you can't always help everyone.
Illustrations
There are small thumbnail images throughout the book. They really don't add anything nor do they accent a scene.
After Thoughts
I do want to point out a couple moments that really trouble me. Certain parts sort of push the story a little too abruptly into the desired outcome. This mainly comes by the parents. Abby's father finally realizes that they have been neglected their kids due to his wife's uncle. The next scene they are in talking at breakfast she is confronting them and only about a lawsuit problem (Which is a very real situation by the way.) but by saying she "messed up one kid life and almost killed someone else." What parent would say "we talked about Great Uncle Jack until late last night. Please don't bother us with your moral and ethical problems." Also isn't it interesting that not even the teacher seems to mind that one of her students is living in a "toxic environment." It's strange how cold the adults become in this book to demand the plot to become end in this way.
When I really clued into this book being written in late 90s the letter saying he didn't hear his parents tell him to get off the internet is actually a lot funnier than you'd expect. Using your phoneline at the time no one could call when on the internet. So he it makes a lot more sense.
Cover
The illustration is pretty simple. But really true to the interior. I like how it does look like a picture taped onto the cover.
I do like the detail that Gabby Abby is on the cover of the paper and it's a nice touch using a purple pen. Considering Purple is our main character's favorite color it's a nice touch sprinkling it all over the front and back.
Interior
Story
The story is pretty standard. It's actually sort of cool how it starts with Abby having lacking of self-confidence and it ends with helping someone else struggling with low self-esteem. Abby's is very overly dramatic and unfocused character. The over dramatizing of of the small moments felt like too much for me. I think the biggest problem for me was it felt like the book was written from the end to the beginning. Some of the scenes felt overly forced to get to get to that proper ending. (Written in After Thoughts) I find it pretty daring that this book actually doesn't give everyone a happy ending. And that giving advice doesn't always work or goes as planned and that you can't always help everyone.
Illustrations
There are small thumbnail images throughout the book. They really don't add anything nor do they accent a scene.
After Thoughts
I do want to point out a couple moments that really trouble me. Certain parts sort of push the story a little too abruptly into the desired outcome. This mainly comes by the parents. Abby's father finally realizes that they have been neglected their kids due to his wife's uncle. The next scene they are in talking at breakfast she is confronting them and only about a lawsuit problem (Which is a very real situation by the way.) but by saying she "messed up one kid life and almost killed someone else." What parent would say "we talked about Great Uncle Jack until late last night. Please don't bother us with your moral and ethical problems." Also isn't it interesting that not even the teacher seems to mind that one of her students is living in a "toxic environment." It's strange how cold the adults become in this book to demand the plot to become end in this way.
When I really clued into this book being written in late 90s the letter saying he didn't hear his parents tell him to get off the internet is actually a lot funnier than you'd expect. Using your phoneline at the time no one could call when on the internet. So he it makes a lot more sense.
March 20, 2020
I had a really vivid memory of these books so I decided to reread them for fun. It was so weird because I remembered all the characters, but also not enjoyable because I'm 24 and not the target audience of a book where the characters are 10 lol, I think i'm good with nostalgia reading for awhile.
July 30, 2021
Series Review:
Ah, Abby Hayes. What a truly unremarkable white girl that I still read about several times throughout elementary and middle school. A little harsh but it is what it is; these books were incredibly bland in proportion to how many times I picked them up over the years. The storylines were sort of relatable to me growing up but looking back, I only really remember being jarred by how un-white my life was (if that makes sense) and how much I liked the covers of the books. Sigh.
January 12, 2026
i loved how they are writing a newspaper, abby worries about how she is gonna do her column for the paper but it turns out pretty good, most of the students are happy with it. she has solved some problems with it.
July 8, 2010
It was a good book!
August 13, 2017
meh
i really didn't like the stoyline. i just didn't find it quite as interesting as the others such as 15 or 17. i just don't have that much interest in this kind of story.
i really didn't like the stoyline. i just didn't find it quite as interesting as the others such as 15 or 17. i just don't have that much interest in this kind of story.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews