Reviews (2)

A Tale of Enemies and Friendship
This book is a wonderful story about two completely different girls who find themselves brought together through several incidents. After stolen friends, fights, competitions, and more, Ernestine and Amanda have come a little closer to being friends, while remaining in an "in-between" zone as not yet friends, and not yet enemies. The story continues in, "Summer Camp: Ready or Not!" which is another excellent addition to the series. I enjoyed this book, just because of the "well-writteness" of the story. Ernestine and Amanda are like real people almost, experiencing real life issues, real hate, and real friendship.

A Tale of Enemies and Friendship
This book is a wonderful story about two completely different girls who find themselves brought together through several incidents. After stolen friends, fights, competitions, and more, Ernestine and Amanda have come a little closer to being friends, while remaining in an "in-between" zone as not yet friends, and not yet enemies. The story continues in, "Summer Camp: Ready or Not!" which is another excellent addition to the series. I enjoyed this book, just because of the "well-writteness" of the story. Ernestine and Amanda are like real people almost, experiencing real life issues, real hate, and real friendship. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

this Forty-something enjoyed this book!
I bought the whole series for my eleven year-old neice. I thought this would be a nice departure from the Babysitter Club since it features African American little girls. I happened to bring the book into the hairdresser by mistake and read the whole thing thoroughly enjoying. I was able to relive some of my childhood and my neice was exposed to the culture of the fifties in a Jim Crow south done lovingly and with care. I applaud Miss Belton for her insightful series. ... Read more

Book Description

Born to Dance

Amanda has decided she's going to become a world-famous dancer -- she's already one of the best students at Miss Davis's new dance studio on Monroe Street. Ernestine has no interest in taking ballet lessons -- especially with all those skinny girls running around in leotards -- but she loves playing piano for the classes. So both girls are upset when a suspicious fire closes down the studio.

Ernestine's outspoken friend Wilhelmina is convinced the vandalism is the work of white kids angry at the prospect of desegregation in their small southern town, but no one knows for sure. Can Ernestine and Amanda discover what really happened on Monroe Street? And have they finally found something they feel the same way about? ... Read more

Book Description

For Members Only

Sixth grade looks like a drag for Ernestine until Wilhelmina, a tall, smart, super cool newcomer, gets her to enter a school speech contest.

Amanda loves sixth grade, especially her secret club for the cutest girls in her class -- and that definitely doesn't include fat Ernestine Harris.

Amanda may be able to keep Ernestine out of C.L.U.B., but she can't keep her out of her life. Who would have thought Ernestine would turn up at C.L.U.B.'s reception for the contest winners? Or that Amanda and her family would be eating Thanksgiving dinner at Ernestine's house? And who would have thought that having Ernestine around might not be so terrible after all? ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Another Ernestine and Amanda worth reading
This is Belton's third book in this series about two middle-class African-American girls in the 1950's. The girls are now 6th graders dealing with problems and fears that are common to any child in any decade. Lessons on how to deal with stage fright, family relationships, loyalty, friendship, exclusive clubs and Black History are all taught in a story form that holds the reader's interest. As an elementary school librarian I highly recommend this book and look forward to adding the next installment to our collection. ... Read more