Review: Annabel
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 24, 2013
This is the third Annabel book I have read. I'm pleased to find that if the books are read out of order, it doesn't completely mix a person up.In a Friend Like Annabel, there are five short stories. In all, Annabel is funny, sensitive, thoughtful, some times self-centered, and reminds me of a wonderful blend between Ramona and Sherlock Holmes.The only reason I don't rate these books (all I have read in the Annabel series) as fives, is that there are a few negative lessons that I wish were not so prominent. Lying seems to be something everyone does and is an acceptable behaviour with little or no consequences. About half the time, Annabel has a selfish moment, and while we all face that, it's not little ways that she acts out. It often results in really hurting others around her - a first year with a crush on her, Noggins getting slapped around by his father, Kate being put in uncomfortable situations. I find it negative rather than positive in that there doesn't seem to be any consequences for this either. She does her thing and everything and everyone around her remain happy go lucky. (Of course, Watson stayed by Holmes' side no matter what he did, too) I didn't like the Third Year Disco much since there is already too much pressure from society as is for girls in reference to boys, though I adored the lesson of the boy not settling for a girl that treats him like garbage (TAKE THAT YOU FILTHY FEMINIST MOVEMENT THAT HAS TRIED TO DESTROY OUR FAMILIES! HAHA!!)There are GREAT lessons in these stories and I feel they outweigh the negative lessons. (All of it will make great discussion topics with my children.) Annabel and her duckling teach to be careful of always complaining. In Who Dunnit? Annabel confesses to something she did wrong - and it was not an easy confession to make. And as in all Annabel's books, there's an event of town size proportion that Annabel takes on for the better of others with no apparent benefit to herself. She does it because she feels it's the right thing to do. And THAT is a lesson of great import.As always, well written, sound and complete plots, innocent humor, no sexual/crude/vulgar content, great character development, an all around great read.