Honey Butter by Millie Florence

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the book, please consider using my Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/4o1Kan3

Honey Butter by Millie Florence is an adorable contemporary fiction about seven year old Jamie, her large family, and a summer friendship.  Jamie collects paint cards and loves to look at them, arrange them, and classify the world around her according to her colors.  Unfortunately, Jamie is having a difficult time connecting with her older sister, Erica.  On the flip side, a new girl and her family are renting the house next door for a couple of weeks.  Jamie quickly becomes friends with thirteen year old Laren.  Her family travels and homeschools.  Laren befriends Jamie and they spend summer days drawing, exploring, and sharing their own interests.  Laren is a source of relief for Jamie from her sister Erica and their very busy home of five children.  

For her part, Erica is also negative towards Jamie for much of the story, but Jamie is just seeking to be included.  As a result, she accidentally breaks her sister’s beloved bracelet and intrudes a bit on her planned party with friends.  It is on this night that Jamie hears some hurtful words that Erica has spoken about her.  It doesn’t take long, however, for one of the girls from the party to spread gossip about Erica and soon she is sad and lonely.  Time and discussions with Laren have encouraged and put Jamie in a position to support Erica and the two of them begin to reconcile their relationship.  

Parents will love that this story does not have any profanity or anything unsavory.  It is a great read for upper elementary (grades 3+).  Geared certainly more for female readers, these young ladies will enjoy the story about friendship and sisterhood.  Many of the emotions and struggles Jamie has are common to childhood, growing up, and learning how to be a good friend and sibling.  The characters do attend church and the parents are strong representations within the story.  One note of caution for more sensitive readers is that Laren’s younger brother died a year or so before the present time in the story.  It is through this lens that Laren is able to offer encouragement and sibling advice to Jamie.