The story, Nettie Jo’s Friends, written by Patricia C. McKissack and illustrated by Scott Cook follows a young girl named Nettie Jo, who lives in a rural setting as she searches for a needed item. Nettie Jo is preparing for her cousin’s wedding when her mother explains that her beloved doll, Annie Mae, is not allowed to attend the wedding unless Jo makes Annie Mae a dress to hide the worn and tattered features. As Jo searches for an extra sewing needle in the fields and woods, she encounters multiple friends who are also in need of assistance. However, even after Jo helps these friends, they are not so quick to return the favor to Jo and Annie Mae. The story of Nettie Jo is unique in comparison to many children’s literature created today. However, I enjoyed the different perspective of Jo, searching for a sewing needle, as many students would not be able to relate to the story line precisely, but teachers could use this as a talking point to compare life today to the lifestyle in the book. I also appreciated the meaning of the story that, if you help others, they may not exactly help you right of way and you cannot hold anger towards people who may not help you right away. In summary, I appreciated how the story had multiple meaning which teachers could pull from the book and expand on in multiple ways for student’s personal growth. ( )

Nettie Jo wants to find a sewing needle to that she can sew her baby sister a dress to wear to the wedding. Along the way she meets many friends that distract her in her search. Instead of ignoring them, she helps them individually. The lesson that is learned in this book is that by spreading kindness, kindness is returned to you. It’s a book about karma written through a fictional animal story. Nettie Jo loses all hope of finding a needle until all of the animals she’s helped shows up with one for her. This book teaches about helping and sharing through a rural, Southern setting with an African American girl as the heroine. ( )

I love a book with a great theme and overall moral! This book, with it's talking animals and gorgeous illustrations is exactly what I love reading to my nephew! The illustrations were reminiscent of a summery day dream and would make any book lover fall in love with their childhood summers filled with adventure again! ( )

This is about a little girl who wants to take her doll to a wedding. The only way she can take it is if she makes her a new dress. Nettie Jo has to find a needle. Along the way she helped a rabbit, a fox, and a panther. She had not found a needle, but when she had given up all hope her new friends brought her the needle she needed. I would use this book to teach about helping others and sharing to K-3rd grade.

Nettie Jo wants her doll to go with her to a wedding; however, mom won't let her take the old doll unless Nettie Jo can sew the doll a new dress. While looking for a needle she manages to help a rabbit, a fox, and a panther. This is really a wonderful story that could easily be used to teach predictions and possibly cause and effect.