Patricia Cruzan Knihy

What Anna Discovers Anna Lansing is like most twelve-year-old girls. She enjoys picking out clothes for going to school and for going with her friends. With a history of just hanging out with friends, she's not too concerned with others. She's more concerned with going places. If a person gets injured, she doesn't realize how much help someone might need. As the story progresses, Anna finds ways to help her friends, others' dogs, and other people. In the beginning, she's selfish, but others help her to see that it is important to be selfless. She learns a little about responsibility, too, as she takes care of another's dog. The lessons observed about caring for a pet help her step in when she needs to. Anna figures out that you can accomplish more when you plan ahead. She is able to not only finish her projects, but she is able to pursue some interesting hobbies. With her persistence and practice, she has a variety of experiences. (5th grade and above)

Exploring the beauty of the world, this collection of over 125 pages features a variety of poetic forms, including narrative poems, haiku, and rhyming verses. The author invites readers to appreciate the richness of life through vivid descriptions of diverse cultures, landscapes, and emotions encountered in places like England, France, Australia, and Mexico. Amidst the challenges of Covid restrictions, the poems celebrate the joy of travel, nature, and human connection, allowing readers to mentally journey alongside the author.

The story follows a young girl's journey as she auditions for a musical contest, igniting her passion for music. Throughout her pursuit, she confronts various challenges, including job pressures, the decision to travel for opportunities, and the need to trust her instincts. The narrative explores her struggles with time management and the balance between her career ambitions and personal growth, ultimately questioning whether she can fulfill her hopes in both her professional and spiritual life.

Molly is determined to convince her dad to allow her to get a new dog, despite his firm refusal. The story explores her efforts to persuade him and the challenges she faces in taming a mischievous dog if she succeeds. The narrative highlights themes of persistence, responsibility, and the bond between a girl and her pet.

Mandy delights herself in hearing various rhythms as she dances and beats her drum. She convinces her mom to participate in her band for a short time. Later, the preparation for Ashley's visit creates some conflict with her mother. When Mandy and Ashley attend a concert, they become fascinated with the musical melodies and beats that they are amazed by the performance. The friends visit a music store with Mandy's mom. The girls try various musical instruments in the shop and decide which instrument they'll purchase. Mandy feels excited as she relays the information to her mom about her music recital. She feels some tension while trying to develop a practice schedule, but she perseveres. After her friend Ashley moves away, the companions stay in touch and perform in some of the same out-of-town events. Mandy not only perfects her violin skills but learns other musical skills as well. Audience applause reinforces her self-confidence and Ashley's.