Jennie Garth Books

When I was in 3rd grade our teacher took us to the school library to take out some books. After giving The Golden Name Day to the librarian she admonished that I should pick something more simpler to read because otherwise I would "run out of things to read." Horrified I called my mother as soon as I could to ask her if that was really true and if I should re-read some other book to "save" some books for when I was older. Obviously my mother explained this was not true and The Golden Name Day came to symbolize for me all that I love about books and reading. I read the book over and over as a child and as an adult and would love to see it available again for children of all ages.

It is fabulous, and I want to buy a copy for my daughter. The story and details of this young girl's life brings a sweet simplicity to life that is reassuring and very much treasured.

I also have very fond memories of reading this book over 30 years ago. I began searching for it a few weeks back so my 8 year old daughter could read it. I'm sad that it is out of print and would love to see it revived. I still remember how I couldn't wait to have the free time to read it. A wonderful book!

I came across this book 25 years ago when I was in the third grade. I have been searching for a copy to own for myself ever since. I plan on sharing this with all three of my nieces and hope that it has as a profound an impact on their lives as it did on mine! An all-around fabulous book for a young girl and I HIGHLY recommend it! How wonderful to be able to lose myself in this magical book once more!

As I read the reviews, I was amazed to see the same reactions that I had as a child. It was second grade when I went back to the Library after lunch because I had finished all of my books. Mrs. DeForrest was finally convinced I could go to the upper grade shelves, and I chose The Golden Name Day. I read it that once 33 years ago, and yet I remember it as if it were yesterday. The story of the old and new worlds mixing felt like my family's story. It also spoke of growing up to me and I still recommend it today. Parents and children are so disappointed when it can't be found.

Part of a trilogy, this is a book for those who love the works of Tasha Tudor. Set amongst Swedish immigrant to the rural United States a century ago, it will bring alive all the beautiful traditions and common sense values they brought to this country with themselves.

The central character, a young non-swedish girl, learns the beauty of their traditions and how it fits into the America of one hundred years ago. It is heart-warming, without being sentimental or preachy. I, a male, retired Marine Warrant Officer, recommend it heartily.

I remembered this as a favorite from my childhood, and had to search for it for my daughter. It has some wonderful underlying themes of love for family, respect for others, and perhaps quite unusual for our times, the idea that children and their needs can have an important place within the family but not exclusively. Nancy is living with "Grandma and Grandpa" Benson when her mother is ill, and she becomes part of a tight-knit group of Swedish cousins, who share their customs and holidays with Nancy. It's a delightful book on it's own merits, but has the added bonus of wonderful illustrations by Garth Williams (illustrator of the Laura Ingalls Wilder series). This book is part of a trilogy, with The Crystal Tree and The Golden Name Day containing the same characters.

The second in a trilogy by Jennie Lindquist, this is a book worth reading, whether you are eight or eighty. Any fan of Tasha Tudor or Kate Seredy will appreciate it. A non-Swedish girl, in a Swedish American rural community about a hundred years ago, finds herself appreciating their values, values which make all Americans the same. It is a story of real American values of hard work, tolerance, and understanding which would help all Americans of today understand where we came from and how to tolerate and understand others.