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Jordon Family #2
Friday's Child
The Jordon and Parrish families meet! A rather self centered Gwenn tries to push her sister Alice into the background- but it just may not work when it comes to Bobby Parrish.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
Paperback
First published January 1, 1947
6 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Janet Lambert
157 books43 followersJanet Lambert, born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, was a popular girls' story author from 1941 through 1969 (and beyond to today). She wrote 54 books during that time about a number of different girls and their families. Her most popular series were about the Parrishes and the Jordons. These stories, and many of her other series, became entwined as the various characters met each other, married, and then had children of their own!
Janet, having an interest in both the theater and writing, decided to write her own plays in which to act. She did achieve her goal and appeared on Broadway. When she married a career Army officer, her life on stage came to a close, but her stories were still flowing. Knowing well the "life of the Army," many of Ms. Lambert's books are set on Army posts throughout the United States.
Legend has it that her stories started as bedtime stories for her children while they were overseas. Each night, the author would tell the next "installment" of the series. Later, after her kids were grown, she penned one of her stories (Star Spangled Summer) and—according to legend—it was sold to a publisher the very day after she sent it to them.
Janet, having an interest in both the theater and writing, decided to write her own plays in which to act. She did achieve her goal and appeared on Broadway. When she married a career Army officer, her life on stage came to a close, but her stories were still flowing. Knowing well the "life of the Army," many of Ms. Lambert's books are set on Army posts throughout the United States.
Legend has it that her stories started as bedtime stories for her children while they were overseas. Each night, the author would tell the next "installment" of the series. Later, after her kids were grown, she penned one of her stories (Star Spangled Summer) and—according to legend—it was sold to a publisher the very day after she sent it to them.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 27, 2017
The Second of the Jordon family series finally brings the Parrish and Jordon families together as the Jordon's find themselves settled on Governor's Island in New York, across the street from the Parrish's. This story focuses on Gwenn and Alice Jordon. Gwenn is sixteen and a self-centered, spoiled rotten brat who makes life difficult for everyone as well as for herself. She's lovely and thinks everyone is as in love with her as she is... she's really her own worst enemy. Alice is a shy, sweet-natured girl who just wants to fit in and have fun. Meeting Tippy Parrish, Penny's 14-year-old sister, is a real boon to Alice. Alice has a good friend and becomes friends with Tippy's crowd, enjoying their summer with swimming, picnics, dances, and just having a grand old time. Working around Gwenn's tantrums, Alice emerges from the Gwenn's shadow and comes into being her own person while Gwenn, thanks to Penny, sees her way to her heart's desire: becoming a professional dancer.
It's always fun to see the progress these families make. On the Parrish side: David and Carrol are now in the farming business and raising their son Davy; Penny has married Josh MacDonald and they've had their first child (a daughter named Parri); Bobby is entering his senior year in high school and has a fancy for Alice Jordon; and Tippy is just a happy-go-lucky girl enjoying her family, friends, and life in general. On the Jordon side, Jenifer is dreaming of a future where someone takes care of her for a while since she's been taking care of so many of her family for so long and perhaps Cyril is the answer she's been dreaming of; General Jordon is home with his family around him and learning how to deal with all their different personalities as the children are rapidly changing; the younger children are enjoying life on the army post; and Peter is going through his first year at West Point.
I'm enjoying these books so much!
It's always fun to see the progress these families make. On the Parrish side: David and Carrol are now in the farming business and raising their son Davy; Penny has married Josh MacDonald and they've had their first child (a daughter named Parri); Bobby is entering his senior year in high school and has a fancy for Alice Jordon; and Tippy is just a happy-go-lucky girl enjoying her family, friends, and life in general. On the Jordon side, Jenifer is dreaming of a future where someone takes care of her for a while since she's been taking care of so many of her family for so long and perhaps Cyril is the answer she's been dreaming of; General Jordon is home with his family around him and learning how to deal with all their different personalities as the children are rapidly changing; the younger children are enjoying life on the army post; and Peter is going through his first year at West Point.
I'm enjoying these books so much!
June 28, 2022
Another fun book in this series, this one focusing mostly on the Jordon sisters Gwen and Alice. It also brings in the Parrish family and ends with a happy romance for Jenifer (from book 1).
These books are perfect for a quick feel-good read. Totally family-friendly--never preachy, but the kids learn a lot about life and relationships.
Another fun aspect: The families live at Fort Jay on Governor's Island. They can take a ferry to Manhattan (with an awesome view of the Statue of Liberty) and hop on a bus to West Point--and the kids go to school on Staten Island, so take a ferry for that too.
I was so interested that I looked up the history of Fort Jay. Fascinating!
These books are perfect for a quick feel-good read. Totally family-friendly--never preachy, but the kids learn a lot about life and relationships.
Another fun aspect: The families live at Fort Jay on Governor's Island. They can take a ferry to Manhattan (with an awesome view of the Statue of Liberty) and hop on a bus to West Point--and the kids go to school on Staten Island, so take a ferry for that too.
I was so interested that I looked up the history of Fort Jay. Fascinating!
April 27, 2015
Gwenn, although older than Alice, is self-absorbed and entirely too selfish. Alice always gives in to keep the peace, until one day Gwenn takes it entirely too far.
This is obviously an older book, with cleaner characters and a simpler plot than you tend to get now. It's a little like a cross between Cheaper By the Dozen and Noel Streatfeild, with possibly a touch of Chalet School thrown in. Good as a nostalgic read.
This is obviously an older book, with cleaner characters and a simpler plot than you tend to get now. It's a little like a cross between Cheaper By the Dozen and Noel Streatfeild, with possibly a touch of Chalet School thrown in. Good as a nostalgic read.
January 25, 2026
3.5 stars
I do love Alice. But Gwenn! Ugh! She's selfish and calls it expressing herself and preparing for her future. She only seems to care about others if it makes her look good or gets her closer to her goal. Alice is so patient and kind, but I sure was glad when she finally stood up for herself instead of letting Gwenn stomp all over her. The rest of the Jordon family are as much fun as always even if Peter is off at West Point and not in this book. But the Parrishes are in it! Such fun to see Penny, David, Tippy, and even Bobby again.
While not my favorite by this author, I still liked it.
I do love Alice. But Gwenn! Ugh! She's selfish and calls it expressing herself and preparing for her future. She only seems to care about others if it makes her look good or gets her closer to her goal. Alice is so patient and kind, but I sure was glad when she finally stood up for herself instead of letting Gwenn stomp all over her. The rest of the Jordon family are as much fun as always even if Peter is off at West Point and not in this book. But the Parrishes are in it! Such fun to see Penny, David, Tippy, and even Bobby again.
While not my favorite by this author, I still liked it.
January 23, 2009
Had this been a true journal entry from a junior high student I would have found this book to have been mildly worth the time to read; however - it wasn't. It was anticlimatic, often times boring, and out-dated in a non-cute way. The only redeeming quality I found in this read was that my gramma sent it to me in a cloth bound first edition and the tireless use of the term 'gay' in the original meaning.
August 2, 2022
This is the second in this YA series. This second book in the series centers on one sister who is Friday's Child in this army family. Alice is the bond between the mixed-member family and characters in other Lambert books.
October 16, 2014
What I liked most about this book is that the Parrish and Jordan families finally meet. The Jordans, whom we last saw in Florida with their dad overseas in the war and Jenifer running a family of 9 kids, are now living on the Army base on Governor's Island, NY. The Parrishes also live there. This book is mostly about selfish vain Gwenn Jordan, although all of the Jordans and Parrishes figure in the story, even the married ones. If I had to give Gwenn Jordan a rating it would be 1 star. The author sure did flesh out her character for the reader. As she tries to push herself forward and her patient loving sister Alice back, she finds that it just doesn't work with Bobby Parrish. Will this be a romance? Alice is 14 and Bobby is about 17 and looking forward to West Point.
August 3, 2016
So, I think I liked this one the best of all the Janet Lambert books that I've read thus far. Gwenn was such a bitch, I really wanted to slap her, but watching Alice learn to stand up for herself was fun.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews