Product Description
Read by Alicia Witt
Two cassettes3 hours 8 mins.

This collection includes the following three books:

Amber Brown is Not a Crayon -- Amber copes with her best friend moving away.

You Can't Eat Your Chicken Pox, Amber Borwn -- takes Amber to London with the hope of reuniting her recently divorced parents.

Amber Brown Goes Forth -- follows the plucky third-grader as she moves up to the fourth grade where she longs for a new best friend. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Amber Brown is funny- actually, absolutely hilarious!
The Amber Brown series is good for everyone. I own the entire set, (all six books!) and think a lot about Justin moving away... I've already had a few best friends move away also. Although there are some sad parts, likewhen Justin threw away the bubble gum ball, it is a hilarious series.

All of these books are great! I share them with my class!
I checked out Amber Brown Is Not A Crayron and read it too my class. They loved all her adventures and some of my students could really relate to Amber Brown. Once I finished the book we discovered she had written more books. I read them each year to my class! I hope Amber Brown continues her adventures. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Amber Brown Is Not A Crayon
My daughter and I loved the book.We laughed while we were reading.She needed the book for summer reading and I am extremely satisfied that my daughter chose Amber Brown Is Not A Crayon.

Friendships are supposed to last a lifetime
Amber Brown is not a crayon, nor is she ready to give up her best friend.Justin Daniels and Amber have been best friends since preschool.They help each other out in school, have races, made a used bubble gum ball together along with a lot of memories.Now Justin's house is up for sale and his family is moving far away.They try to pretend it is never going to happen, until the two come home to a sold sticker over the for sale sign.Yikes, this is not going to be fun.The two friends need to learn how to accept the move and stay friends forever.

Paula Danziger does a great job getting into the mind of a third grader as she writes the stories of Amber Brown.The stories are written for early readers (7-9 years old) or a bit younger if they get some help reading.I think kids can all relate to the idea of not wanting change to occur in their lives or how hard it can be to change.I recommend the Amber Brown books for your young readers - boys or girls can equally enjoy this one!

By Kerri J. Busteed
Author of Will's First Hunt[...]

Amber Brown
Danziger, P.(1994).Amber Brown is Not a Crayon.New York:Puffin Books.

0142406198

Third grader, Amber Brown has fun in class on a pretend trip to China with her best friend, Justin.But as Justin and his family prepare to move to another state, Amber begins to worry.Making matters worse, Justin refuses to talk about his approaching departure.She, Amber Brown is also dealing with the underlying tension of her parents' recent divorce.

Amber's voice feels authentic.Although her character is in the third grade in this book, the story could be shared with a younger reader who is slowly transitioning to longer chapter novels.

And if a student loves it, there's a whole series they can enjoy.


Activities to do with the book:

This is a good series to help transition young readers to chapter books.If a student liked Junie B. Jones (reviewed previously here), this would be a good follow up for slightly older readers since this series has fewer pictures and Amber is a little older.Although, this book would be great for first and second graders.From there, a student could graduate to Ramona Quimby and on.

A teacher could base lessons off of the way Amber's teacher conducts his lessons.A teacher could have pretend trips to other countries to introduce lessons.


Favorite Quotes:

"In just ten minutes, our entire class is getting on a plane for our flight to China.
I, Amber Brown, am one very excited third grader" (p. 5).

"When my parents got a divorce, my dad moved far away, to another country, so I never get to see him and he hardly ever calls" (p. 17).

"Fractions are not my favorite thing.
In fact, they are one of my least favorite things.The only things I hate more are 1) Brussels sprouts, 2) watching kids pick their noses and eat the snot and 3) having people I love leave" (p. 47).

One of the best books I've ever read!!!!!Kris-age 8
I love "Amber Brown Is Not A Crayon" She is really funny, spunky, and fun!I love the way she is always up for it.There are some gloomy parts but it all works out in the end.However you have to read to find out exactly what happens.eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Son loved it!
Required reader for my son's class.He loved it1Said it was funny and the class liked reading it. ... Read more

Product Description
"With spunky Amber Brown, Donziger adds to her oeuvre's sizable brood of magnetic young characters. This heroine's perky, first-person narrative allows readers to make her acquaintance immediately---and effortlessly."---Publishers Weekly, starred review." "This collection includes the following three books: Amber Brown is Not a Crayon---Amber copes with her best friend moving away." "You Can't Eat Your Chicken Pox, Amber Brown---takes Amber to London with the hope of reuniting her recently divorced parents." "Amber Brown Goes Fourth---follows the plucky third-grader as she moves up to the fourth grade where she longs for a new best friend." "Paula Donziger was born in Washington D.C. and raised in New Jersey. She began her career as a teacher before devoting herself to her writing career full-time. She has received many honors including a Parents' Choice Award and an IRA-CBC Children's Choice Award." "RECOMMENDED FOR LISTENERS AGES 8 AND UP." [from case] ... Read more

Product Description
It’s finally summer and Amber Brown is going to London to visither aunt Pam and then to Paris to visit with her father. She is oneexcited kid before she goes. And one itchy kid when she arrives.Mosquito bites, she thinks. Chicken pox, she finds out. Is hervacation completely ruined? And now that she can’t go to Paris,how will she be able to convince her dad to move back home? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

A slightly somber addition to the world of Amber Brown
Third grader, Amber Brown, has experienced one very trying year. First, her parents informed her that not only were they getting a divorce, but that her father was moving to France to take on a new job. Then, to add even more drama to the mix, her best friend since preschool, Justin Daniels, up and left New Jersey to accompany his family in Arizona where his father had taken on a new job. Now, while Amber is happy to be embarking on the unknown world of fourth grade, she's upset to be leaving her beloved teacher, Mr. Cohen, behind. Mr. Cohen has made learning fun, and his frequent trips to foreign countries with his class will sorely be missed - especially by Amber. Luckily, this year Amber has something to look forward to during her summer vacation. First, she will be flying to London to spend two weeks with her Aunt Pam in England - a place where people drive on the wrong side of the road. Then, she'll be flying to Paris, France, where she'll be spending time with her father, whom she hasn't seen in what seems like forever. However, Amber's plans instantly change when she gets to London and realizes that she has come down with a case of chicken pox. Amber is horrified. With chicken pox, she can't possibly see the sights that London has to offer, or visit her father in France. Amber just knows that her summer is completely ruined, and can't believe her luck. That is, until she discovers that having the chicken pox isn't as bad as she originally thought - especially when you're surrounded by people you love.

In AMBER BROWN IS NOT A CRAYON, Paula Danziger tackled the issue of having your best friend move away. In YOU CAN'T EAT YOUR CHICKEN POX AMBER BROWN, Danziger tackles another issue - even more serious than the last - divorce - yet manages to keep it light-hearted, and easy-to-understand for young readers. Amber Brown, as always, is her usual chatty self, with her perky disposition, and a penchant for finding the humorous side in any situation. While the majority of the tale takes place in a London flat, it is in this location where Amber truly comes face-to-face with the many monsters that are haunting her - from a sudden illness to her parents lingering divorce. The introduction of Amber's Aunt Pam, along with her father are a nice inclusion to the tale. However, they certainly do not take the place of Amber's best friend, Justin, or her mother. The storyline in this particular book is slightly more touching, and a little more heart-wrenching, but Danziger is able to pull it off, and showcase Amber's feisty, upbeat personality - even in the face of sorrow. A slightly somber addition to the world of Amber Brown.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

chicken pox
this is a cute story about a girlnamed amber brown who travels to london with her aunt on her way to see her father who lives in france.while in london, amber comes down with the chicken pox, and she never gets to make it to france, buther father does come to london to see her.the story tells about her time in london and her efforts to get her mother and father back together.this a cute book for any young child, especially those with divorced parents.the whole series is great.

Not the best of Amber Brown
I read many of the Amber Brown books with my 7-year old daughter, and generally, we love them.All of the books have a portion dedicated to the fact that her parents have split up and how she is dealing with this situation.Although my daughter cannot relate directly to that, it has lead to some interesting discussions.Most of the books have a humerous story interweaved, but unfortunately, not this one.It is a story of a girl who goes to Europe to visit her father, gets sick, and is bored sitting in her aunt's flat.We were as bored as Amber.While I would highly recommend other books (I, Amber Brown; Amber Brown Sees Red; Forever Amber Brown), I have to recommend staying away from this one.

I Thought The Book Was Great!
I just finished this story.It is about Amber Brown at school.Her best friend Justin Daniels just moved away.When she came home her parents get divorced.Guess what! Her dad moves to France.She could not believe what happened to her life.Her life was wrecked into pieces!She washeart broken.Then a couple of months later she goes to France.She wasso happy to see her dad.France was so cool.But she gets the chickenpox!I thought the book was great! It lots of parts I liked.Idon't have a favorite part, though!- By Amanda H.Age 7

You diffenatly can't eat your chicken pox
This book was an okay book, but thier could have been a little more excitement and adventure, which I think makes this book kind of boring, but the good thing is she had fun in Europe. ... Read more

Product Description
Amber Brown isn’t entirely ready for fourth grade. She has herpens, pencils, new clothes, and new shoes. But the one thing shedoesn’t have is her best friend, Justin Daniels. Justin has movedaway, leaving Amber utterly best friend-less. Amber knows Justincan’t be replaced, but she is on the lookout for a new friend.Brandi seems a likely choice—but does Brandi want to chooseAmber in return? Will Amber Brown go fourth, and go forth, with a new best friend? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

New Friends
Amber Brown is forced to start fourth grade without her best friend who recently moved to Alabama.Now she has to see if there is any new kids in class who don't already have a best friend.This is something she has fretted about all summer.It seems that since Justin Daniels' family has moved, Amber is not the only one who needs a new friend, so does her mother.Max is her mom's new boyfriend and this has been a very difficult change for Amber as well.New school year, new teacher, no best friend and now mom has a boyfriend too.What else could go wrong?

The series of Amber Brown is written in an easy to read format that is great for 8-12 year olds.The story line is easy to follow and children can easily put themselves in Amber's shoes.She is going through very similar situations to those real children deal with on a daily basis.I enjoyed reading the story and I believe your children will too.

By Kerri J. Busteed
Author of Will's First Hunt Will's First Hunt

Great book for Third grader!
I bought this title to add to my 'Grandma Library.'I have several Amber Brown books.One of my granddaughters is in the third grade and really enjoys reading the independent and confident spirt of the title character!

Amber Brown Goes Fourth
ISBN 0590934252 - Danziger's career spanned several decades, including my childhood, when I first discovered her.That history does increase my fondness for Amber Brown, but I'd decided to like this girl even before I realized who the author was.

Amber's heading into fourth grade without some very important people.Her best friend, Justin, has moved away and her father is living in Paris since her parents separated.Fourth grade is going to be hard enough but without a best friend it's going to be lonely too.Looming in the background is her mother's new boyfriend, Max - a man Amber hasn't met and has no interest in meeting any time soon.Right now, her primary focus is on finding a new best friend.

I'm really impressed that this book (and the other Amber Brown books, I assume) is so very realistic.Parents divorce and some, like Amber's, can remain civil, at least in front of the kids.Friends move away, and friends fight.Those things aren't happy, good things, but they're real and the way Amber and her friends and family deal with them sends a nice message to the young reader.It's also nice to see that Amber grows at a normal pace unlike some series where the main character stays 10 forever.Danziger's death has left a hole in children's literature but I, for one, am just glad Amber Brown lives on.

Amber Brown Goes Fourth
Amber Brown Goes Fourth is a very good book. There are a lot of changes in Ambers' life but she is willing to accept them. For insance, her best friend named Justin moved away over the summer so Amber has to go on to fourth grade without him. She does make friends with Brandy. It is very interesting to watch their friendship grow.
I also liked the part where the boys from Amber's class have a fake burping contest. Amber and Brandy do not win, but they do get another one of the prizes. The connection that I made to Amber Brown Goes Fourth was from Amber to me. We are both happy and we have both had a friend move away.
Dejah from Stockbridge Central Schoolgrade 4

Amber Brown Goes Fourth by
If you like Amber Brown, you will like this book. I haven't read many other A.B. books, infact, the only ones I can remember reading are Amber Brown Is Not A Crayon and You Can't Eat Your Chicken Pox, Amber Brown. In this chapter book, Amber(the girl with the colorful name and the need to put her right shoe on first), must go forth to a new school year without her friend Justin for the first time in I *think* 6 years. It's tough making new friends and Hannah Burton is still a snob. And if that's not bad enough, Amber has to put up with her Mom's new boyfriend, whom she has never met and never wishes to. She is still fantasizing about her parents getting back together. However, at the end of the story, Amber concludes that she can't change things, but must learn to live with them. This book has it's moments. It's funny, it's fresh and it's way too short! :P Maybe it's just me. Cute. ... Read more