Table of Contents
Introduction xi
1 Thinking of Others
My Lady Sirena Van Schaik 2
The Right Thing to Do Stephanie Ray Brown 6
Friends of the Heart Ariana Morgan Bridges as told to Robin Smith Bridges 9
The Key to Bethany's Heart Karen Cogan 14
Bossy Lara Lara Anderson 17
A Special Lunch Christopher Geren 20
The Twenty-Dollar Bill Mallory McGinty 25
Sometimes, Babies Get in the Way Ruth B. Spiro 27
2 Being a Team Player
For the Love of Animals Emylee Cuthbertson 32
Second Act John P. Buentello 35
Music Is Contagious Mary Lou DeCaprio 40
Standing Up Christine Mix 45
Someone to Count On Richard Brookton 49
The Gravel Pit Renee Hixson 53
Adam Gets to Play Talia Haven 57
Swimming on a Goat Lana Krumwiede 60
The Gift Givers Club Kendal Kornacki Alison Kornacki 64
3 Being Responsible
Who Let the Dogs Out? Arlene Y. Burke 68
My Very Own Dog Kathleen Bracher 72
Who's to Blame? Michelle Rossi 76
Following the Rules Joseph Sottile 79
The Hill Sherm Perkins 82
A Little Birdie… a Big Responsibility Dania Denise Mallette 88
Munchy Lloret Pelayo 92
4 Making Good Choices
Starting Over Jamuna Rangachari 96
Friends Forever Darian Smith 99
Max and the Purple BMX Mongoose Bike Max Sampsell Joi Sampsell 103
Being True to Myself Terri Meehan 108
Is Sixteen Enough? Christine M. Smith 111
Disney Magic Bryan Martinez 114
Courage on the Court Sandy Green 117
Grandpa's Pig Cookie Curci 120
5 Making and Accepting Changes
Still Loved Karissa Porter 126
Letting Go Becca Sherman 130
Granny's Hands Victoria Williams 133
It Isn't How It Used to Be Virginia L. Kroll 137
Two Good Teachers Ann Ingalls 139
Pink Jelly Glasses Jacqueline J. Michels 144
Harry Kristie Jones 148
6 Learning to Forgive
The Treasure Charlotte Uteg 154
Keep Out Esme Sky Mills 157
The Tiny Bear Lara Anderson 160
Mike's Trucks Ronnie Reese 163
Trouble in Neverland Carly Hunoitz 167
All Because of Kelly Amy Cornell 170
Forgiving My Dad Sarah McIver 174
7 Sharing and Giving
Making Friends with a Puppet Lana Krumwiede 179
The Joy of Giving Ranie Burghardt 182
To Give Love Mimi Frid 188
Fifty-Six Grandparents Machille Legoullon 192
Esperanza Angela Abbott 197
A Healing Haircut Angela Rooker 200
Christmas for Opal and Sean Tiffany O'Neill 204
8 Looking on the Bright Side
The Best Toys Ever Karen Lynn Williams 210
The Best Present Mary Laufer 216
Throwing Stones Katherine Battersby 221
Wishing on a Lucky Star Melanie Joy Pastor 226
A Move to a New Life Andrew Sang 230
Grandma's Wisdom Rahul de Livera 234
Friends Are Like Flowers Michelle Marie 239
Who Is Jack Canfield? 241
Who Is Mark Victor Hansen? 242
Who Is Patty Hansen? 243
Who Is Irene Dunlap? 244
Contributors 245
Permissions 256