Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Amber's adventures have great messages for young readers.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
This first Amber Brown series, A IS FOR AMBER, helps young Amber navigate all kinds of situations that readers easily relate to. Amber is nervous about starting second grade, picks fights on a family vacation, has to figure out how to deal with a friend who has habits that annoy her, and encounters lots of other situations that come up in early elementary school. Amber's parents and friends are an integral part of every story.
Is It Any Good?
These books are fantastic for emerging readers, or for those who want to practice their skills while learning a bit more science and vocabulary than in typical chapter books for this age range. The Amber Brown series A Is for Amber is a fun -- occasionally deep -- take on life and friendship in early elementary school. In one of the books, Amber's parents have an argument, and Amber's worries are entirely relatable to children who have been upset by their own parents' arguments. On the positive side, there are birthday parties and lighthearted family trips and lots to laugh about, and each book ends with a lovely version of Amber telling herself that everything is going to be OK. It's a great message to kids about the complexity of life, told in ways that make sense to readers young and old.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Amber Brown reacts when she feels worried or mad. How do you react when you are upset with your friends?
Justin is Amber's best friend, and they're very different kinds of people. Who is your best friend? Are you two similar, or different?
What's fun about reading books about kids your age?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Tony Ross
- Genre : For Beginning Readers
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Penguin Young Readers Group
- Publication date : November 22, 2001
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 48
- Available on : Paperback, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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