Mending Lives and Teaching Friendship With a New Young Author

Recently, we were given the opportunity to review a book written by a young author. When we received it, I noted how beautifully done it was. While often the case – we see beautifully written and illustrated books all the time – but how often do they originate from a 10-year-old? “Sewing a Friendship”, written by a creative and talented young girl named Natalie Tinti is such a book.

The book formed in Natalie’s mind from her own experience when she noticed that many of her classmates and friends were lonely, unhappy and depressed. Natalie came to realize that these kids, including herself, had extremely different opinions and attitudes about the same experiences — the experiences that make us who we are and how we act toward others.

Natalie’s story provides incredible insight about what makes kids interact with others the way they do. Why are bullies, bullies – and why are some kids cruel in ways that hurt and demoralize others who don’t deserve it at all? Developing friendships is an area that Natalie Tinti has researched in her own life. In her book, Sewing a Friendship, she tells what great things can happen if kids go that extra mile in giving others a chance.

Tinti’s characters in Sewing a Friendship are colorful and creative personalities. In her “Introduction of Characters,” Natalie presents an overview of the characters in her book, including her grandma and grandma’s dog, Dogon. Each character has different talents and likes and dislikes. Jonsy Jipsy loves to sing and belly dance, Sokron Blossom lives in a neat and tidy world and loves to read fashion magazines. Meeka likes brain games – the more numbers involved, the better — and Nina is happy with her life and the music it brings her.

All but one of the characters seems happy with their lives. One of the girls, Kiki Shaver, was sad living a small home with her aunt and uncle. She had no friends and didn’t know how to make them. When four girls invite her into the circle of their friendship, it’s no wonder that Kiki is hesitant and apprehensive. She doesn’t want to be hurt.

The story continues as the five girls become a team in an attempt to win a fashion show. How four girls invite and accept a “not so likeable” girl into their lives skillfully acquaints the readers with the characters and the dilemmas that confront them as they invite a hesitant Kiki into their circle and begin to “sew a friendship” that they’ll all benefit from.

Today, it seems that almost every news headline begins with a child’s suicide – or murder – because of being bullied, not having friends or family to discuss issues with and feelings of low self esteem. What’s causing this rash of senseless tragedies? If more ten-year-olds were as insightful as Natalie Tinti, perhaps more kids would invite the outcasts into their circle of friends and lives would be saved as well as pointed in another direction.

Natalie Tinti finds her voice in Sewing a Friendship – and demonstrates a talent that’s rare for such a young girl; especially one who wants to help kids realize that they can help others and accomplish remarkable things that can change the world when they set their minds to do it. Recommended reading for all YA fans.

Mending Lives and Teaching Friendship With a New Young Author