Books from a 'thankful' teen and her mom

Associated Press Writer

Have you ever thanked your letter carrier? What about the pope?

In "The Thank You Book for Kids: Hundreds of Creative, Cool, and Clever Ways to Say Thank You!" (Longstreet, 148 pages, $12.95, ages 9-12), Ali Lauren Spizman, 14, teaches children how to write a proper thank-you note.

The author, a model and actress, fills her book with creative expressions, letter-writing tips and plenty of sample letters. The back pages pair off several letters Ali wrote to celebrities, including former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and Disney head Michael Eisner, with their replies.

Although the book might appear a tad too goody-goody to reluctant thank-you letter-writers, it is a quick read bursting with clever ideas. Children and younger teens are sure to relate to the language, with sentences sprinkled with "funky" and "awesome."

As the book progresses, the thank-yous jump off the pages. In a chapter called "Spreading Thank-You Kindness," Spizman writes about holding a door for a stranger, recycling, and celebrating your birthday with a good deed. Another chapter introduces "Thank-Yous You Can Gobble Up." Among the corky ideas: filling a jar with assorted nuts and adding a note that says, "I'm nuts about you!"

Ali, it seems, is a chip off the old (writer's) block. In 1994, her mother, Robyn Freedman Spizman, wrote a similar book for adults and older teens, "The Thank You Book: Hundreds of Clever, Meaningful, and Purposeful Ways to Say Thank You." It has recently been released in a redesigned, hardcover edition (Longstreet, 113 pages, $12.95).

Spizman, an Atlanta TV personality and consumer advocate, offers creative thank-you ideas and information about etiquette, famous quotes, writing chain letters and sending virtual thank-yous.

Spizman also touches upon making homemade thanks and stresses that they have special meaning because you took the time to add your special touch. Among her ideas: Assembling a bagels and lox platter for a friend and adding a note that reads, "Thanks a lox"; and "showering" a friend with thanks by sending a basket full of shower gels and body lotions for a totally indulgent gift.

The book is designed as a gift book, with a page in front for a personal inscription. So if someone gives you a copy, don't forget to write a you-know-what.

------ Maggie has plenty on her mind

Sometimes you know something is wrong even though you can't put your finger on it. Such is the case with 11-year-old Maggie Calhoun, in Elizabeth Van Steenwyk's novel "Maggie in the Morning" (Eerdmans, 128 pages, $16, ages 9 and older).

It's 1941 and the United States is on the brink of war, but Maggie has more important things on her mind. Her mom's expecting a baby, she and her brother have been sent to live with their aunt and uncle for the summer, and her whole family soon will be moving to California because of her dad's new job.

The book does an extraordinary job of capturing the reality of a girl coming to terms with growing up, even when it comes to thoughts that cross over amid serious discussions: "Grandanna looked outside before answering as if she might find a reason hanging from the cherry tree."

While the novel touches upon a heavy issue, the language remains light enough to not overwhelm the reader. "Wisps of her hair had escaped from her tightly wrapped bun at the back of her head. It made her look as if she might be wired to something electrical."

"Maggie in the Morning" looks at the world of one girl as she discovers a family secret, and reveals the true power of friendship.