It’s 1926, and eleven-year-old Lexie Lewis wants to leave Portland, Oregon, where she has been staying with her strict grandparents, and rejoin her mother, a singer in San Francisco.

Meanwhile, Lexie’s class has been raising money to ship a doll to the children of Japan in a friendship exchange — and when Lexie learns that the girl who writes the best letter will be chosen to go to the farewell ceremony in San Francisco, she knows she just has to be the winner.

Inspired by a project in which U.S. children sent more than 12,000 Friendship Dolls to Japan in hopes of avoiding a future war, Shirley Parenteau’s engaging story has sure appeal for readers who enjoy historical fiction and for doll lovers of all ages.

“Tender and funny, this story of friendship and family is reminiscent of Beverly Cleary’s work.” — School Library Journal

• A heart-warming family story with an appealing and relatable main character about not-very-well-known yet very kid-friendly event in early 20th century American history.

• Now in paperback, a story from a little known-piece of American history in which children raised money and took part in a unique exchange to promote peace and friendship; simultaneous with the publication of a third book in the Friendship Dolls series.

• Shirley Parenteau beautifully captures the strong emotional bond that many young girls form with their dolls, who are considered true friends.