Book Description

Bestselling author Malachy McCourt recounts the story of Ireland's timeless symbol of loyalty, friendship, and love, a ring design of two clasped hands that is worn by millions worldwide. Following the success of his Running Press titles Danny Boy and Voices of Ireland, McCourt explores this beloved icon of Irish heritage through vivid anecdotes, charming folk tales, and recent documented incidents. Said to have been first crafted more than 400 years ago in a fishing village on Galway Bay, there is much more to the story of the Claddagh ring than simple popular history, and McCourt tracks it down and recounts it with his stellar storytelling finesse. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Cherished Symbol of Friendship
The hands are there for friendship,
The heart is there for love.
For loyalty throughout the year,
The crown is raised above

It is extremely rare to find a friend who wants to be friends forever, but when you find them, this is the ring to buy. A Claddagh (klada) ring can be given to friends and is the world's cherished symbol of friendship, love and loyalty.

The happiest day in my life is definitely the day I received a Claddagh Ring. Not only are these rings eternal symbols of friendship, it is a poetic and beautiful representation of love that is steeped in mysterious legends and lore.

The ring is named after a fishing village and Malachy McCourt does a fine job of explaining all the stories surrounding this mysterious ring. This book is filled with stories of Vikings, Algerian Pirates, Legendary Fishermen, Superstitions, Traditions and stories of Mary of the Bridges.

This book is really as much a history of Claddagh as it is about the ring named after the village. It also sheds light on the inventor and how he created the ring while in captivity. Malachy McCourt weaves a fascinating tapestry of stories with humor and a deep interest the history and culture of Ireland.

What amazed me most was the story of 9/11 and how so many Claddagh rings were found on that day. Not only does this ring make its appearance in romantic tales, it has more recently made its appearance in great tragedy. Perhaps it is also now the symbol of the joining of hands to heal hearts.

~TheRebeccaReview.com ... Read more

Book Description

Tommy and Zoe have been friends forever. Being withZoe is like being with one of the guys, only better. She likes to play sports and doesn't mind getting dirty. But lately Tommy's friends have started teasing him about being in love with Zoe. It's so ridiculous. Still, when Zoe asks him who he likes, Tommy suddenly realises there's only one name that would fill the blank... ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Friendship ring... perfect!
If you have read any of the friendship ring books you know this is an excellent book.
Fill in the Blank is Tommy Levit's side of the story. The friendship ring books fallow the first several weeks of 7th grade; of Zoe Grandon, CJ Hurley, Morgan, Olivia, and now Tommy. These book's reflect the true meanings of friendship, love, truth, and understanding. Honestly, I felt these books were the real thing, they expressed all the emotions that happen to girls and boys during the seventh grade!

Yet, this is the first book from Tommy's point of view, he shares a true enlighting side. Without this book, the series would be at a loss. If you want to read a book that will stay with you for the rest of you life, read Fill in the Blank! All read the rest of the friendship ring! This was an all time favorite book of my whole classroom.

Awesome!!
I think this book is awesome but
why doesnt't Rachel Vail write
anymore Friendship Ring books?
Disappointing...

Awesome!!
I love this book and have read it atleast 8 times! I love how Rachel gives us Tommy's point of view, and would like her to write another in his point of view!! All the other books are great too! I even got my mom to read this one!!!! Anywho I'd recomend this book to 4th-8th graders.

WoWzZz
I realli realli realli liked thys B00k! but the only bad thing about it ish, ish dat there are no other boox...I mean like I hope Rachel Vail makes more boox of the Friendship Ring Series. I REALLI luv her work. Especially the Friendship Ring Series. And one thing Tommy is realli dumb. the reason why i say that ish becuz he culd of asked ZoE out right on the spot. But i hope he does soon in Rachel Vail's nxt book in the Friendship Ring Series....well i hope.... newayz PEACE out!

Untitled
I love all of the friendship ring series, they're the best books i've ever read. I just want to know why the author isn't writing anymore of them? Those books were awesome!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Twelve-year-old, tomboyish Zoe quickly learns that having a best friend can be wonderful in this novel that introduces Zoe and her circle of friends: CJ, Morgan, Olivia and Tommy. Zoe also soon discovers, however, that to have a best friend means having to make some tough decisions and sacrifices. ... Read more

Reviews (40)

Helen's review of "If Only You Knew"
"When you're the yougest of five girls,nothing's your own" that's the first sentence of the book.Zoe Grandon is the fifth child in the Grandon family. she has heroldest sister,Anne Marie's mouth, her second oldest sister Bay's hair. But unfortunately, she has her mom's behind. Zoe is friends with everyone.Even boys.Zoe is kind spirited and friendly.Zoe has a crush on herf riend,Tommy. But her almost best friend, C.J,has a crush on him too! Zoe can't decide whether to she should go after Tommy or let C.J have him. But she finally decides that since C.J liked him first,C.J should have Tommy. But does Tommy like Zoe? Or does Tommy likeC.J? What if he doesn't like any of them?

I first chose this book when I saw my friend reading it. The cover was a picture of a girl holding a tennis racket in her hand.I read the blurb and I was hooked. But I was confused too. In the blurb,there was this word, hormones.What does it mean?I asked my teacher, Mr.Carbone.I found out that hormones means something in your body that makes you act differently and behave differemtly.I was still puzzled.As I read more, I understood what it meant.I really like this book and I want to read the other books in the series. It's a very good book and I know other people would enjoy it.

When Zoe let CJ have Tommy, I was angry.If Iwas Zoe, I would go after Tommy. After all, so what if CJ liked Tommy first? Zoe KNEW Tommy first. Zoe is just too friendly to hurt CJ's feelings. Another book, "Kitty in High School" is about the same thing. Kitty likes a boy named Skip. Kitty wasn't sure if she should ask Skip to the dance, and when Kitty makes up her mind, Skip is taken by her best friend. So if Zoe doesn't go and try to win Tommy back,she'll never get the chance!

My favorite part in this book is the whole book, so there's not much to explain, is there?

I would recommend this book to people who are ready to learn about growing up. If you are like zoe and you have a crush on someone, read this book and you might learn something.

zoe gradon is the kewlest!!
on reading this book you would seriously have the feeling that you are actually reading a secret diary of a 12yr old. anybody from age 10-14yrs can relate to zoe's character of being tomboyish and feeling clumsy & unpretty at some stage or the other.this is a must read for all the teenage crowd who haveless than sqeaky clean lives.rachel vail is the best!

Too Good!
This book was awesome. It is about a girl who was always considered one of the guys. All of a sudden, she finds herself becoming attracted to Tommy Levit, her next-door nieghbor, and wearing tight tops to school. She asks Tommy who he likes, and it turns her life upside down, because CJ Hurley, who she wants to be her best friend, likes him too. Did she make a big mistake?
I think that Rachel Vail is an awesome author. If you like this book, you should read all the books by her.

One of the best boooks
this book is great!! Zoe wants CJ to be her best friend and when they finally are.......Zoe finds out who CJ likes......dont wanna spoil it for you! Just buy it and you'll find out what happens!

If You Only Knew
At the time, I bought 2 of the Friendship Ring books, If You Only Knew and Please, Please, Please. The first one I read was If You Only Knew. I loved it!!! I couldn't put it down! I could not wait to start the next book! This is a wonderful book by a wonderful author. ... Read more

Book Description

Get acquainted with the tough and misunderstood Morgan by seeing things from her point of view. Her life hasn't been easy. And nothing is as humiliating as having your best friend, CJ, dump you for the loud, sloppy and popular Zoe Grandon. It's so unbelievable. So shocking. Not that she cares.... ... Read more

Reviews (18)

A Splendiferous Series
The Friendship Ring books are very well-written, and are fun to read. The charecters are sooo different, which proves that opposites attract. Theres the mousy Prima Ballerina with the over-protective mother (thats CJ), theres the super jock who has too many sisters and wants everyone to like her and has a huge crush on her backdoorn neigbor (thats Zoe), theres the rebelious, moody girl witht he dead beat dad who thinks jacks are a great gift (thats Morgan), and the little geek-ish girl with the crowded teeth and major hottie of a brother (thats Olivia). All these 7th graders at Boggs middle school are friends (most of the time) despite their differenses. They go threw just about everything you would expect them to. If i were you i would read them. Also, the book about tommy (Fill in the Blank) is a good read. It lets you know the guys side.

Good writing
I think this book is exceptionaly writen by an incredible author. I love how you can see Morgans view of things that have happened in previous books.

This book and the rest of this seris are the best ever!
This seris was the best I have ever read.I have read all of them exept for the one by Oliva because that one wasn't at the Library.These books are realistic, and it makes you feel like you are really in the bookexperiencing everything that happens to the characters.Also, you read astory written by one girl and then she is mentioned in all the other bookswith a different view point.I loved it and recommend it alot

Really Good!
This was the first book I read in the series and one of the best.Morgan seems very vonerable and I can see why she acts the way she does.{*5*}!In the other books she's totally different, rough and tough.I liked hercharacter best in Not That I Care.I liked that she told about her life sofar and about her parents breaking up.You should read this book.

So-So
The other books in this awesome series soar above this one, mainly because, if you have nothing in common with this sligthly morbid girl, you can't appreciate her story. There's hardly any dialogue and too many flashbacks to make it interesting. However, if you read the rest of theseries, this is a good one to read, too, because you'll understand Morganbetter in the other books. ... Read more