Barbara can hardly believe her older sister is getting married. With all the excitement of wedding plans going on, Barbara can't help dreaming of the day she will be the bride. She can't wait to fall in love.

But as the big day gets closer, wedding planning often turns into family arguments. Even the bride and groom are bickering over details, and Barbara's fun-loving sister is turning into a very practical, grown-up person.

Weddings are fun, but all this serious stuff is scary enough to make Barbara think she's not going to be rushing into a serious romance any time soon.

Reading age

8 - 12 years
Book 4 of 4

First Love
Print length

272 pages
Language

English
Lexile measure

880L
Dimensions

10.16 x 1.91 x 14.61 cm
Publisher

HarperCollins
Publication date

Jan. 2 2007
ISBN-10

0380728079
ISBN-13

978-0380728077
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Product description

From the Back Cover

Barbara can hardly believe her older sister is getting married. With all the excitement of wedding plans going on, Barbara can't help dreaming of the day she will be the bride. She can't wait to fall in love.

But as the big day gets closer, wedding planning often turns into family arguments. Even the bride and groom are bickering over details, and Barbara's fun-loving sister is turning into a very practical, grown-up person. Weddings are fun, but all this serious stuff is scary enough to make Barbara think she's not going to be rushing into a serious romance any time soon.

About the Author

Beverly Cleary is one of America's most beloved authors. As a child, she struggled with reading and writing. But by third grade, after spending much time in her public library in Portland, Oregon, she found her skills had greatly improved. Before long, her school librarian was saying that she should write children's books when she grew up.

Instead she became a librarian. When a young boy asked her, "Where are the books about kids like us?" she remembered her teacher's encouragement and was inspired to write the books she'd longed to read but couldn't find when she was younger. She based her funny stories on her own neighborhood experiences and the sort of children she knew. And so, the Klickitat Street gang was born!

Mrs. Cleary's books have earned her many prestigious awards, including the American Library Association's Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, presented to her in recognition of her lasting contribution to children's literature. Dear Mr. Henshaw won the Newbery Medal, and Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and Ramona and Her Father have been named Newbery Honor Books. Her characters, including Beezus and Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins, and Ralph, the motorcycle-riding mouse, have delighted children for generations.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins; Illustrated edition (Jan. 2 2007)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0380728079
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0380728077
Item weight ‏ : ‎ 350 g
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.16 x 1.91 x 14.61 cm

Best Sellers Rank: #828,880 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #368 in Children's Books on Marriage & Divorce
- #3,317 in Children's Books on Siblings
- #5,275 in Children's Nonfiction on Girls' & Women's Issues (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.6 110 ratings

About the author

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Beverly Cleary

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Beverly Cleary's birthday, April 12th, is celebrated across the country on D.E.A.R. Day, with activities related to the Drop Everything and Read Program. One of the most popular and honored authors of all time, Beverly Cleary has won the Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw, and both Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and Ramona and Her Father have been named Newbery Honor Books. She makes her home in coastal California.

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Top reviews from Canada

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Magpie

one of my favorites!!!!!

Reviewed in Canada on June 12, 2001

Barbara MacLane is fifteen and in the middle of adolecence. Younger sister (and shadow) to the popular, jovial Rosemary, Barbara feels as if she is out-of-place compared to Rosemary who has her boyfriends (many, I might add) and always gets to do things first. Her mother is part of a group of women who like to socialize and discuss everyday things, her father is a high school English professor. Her brother is the everyday thirteen year old boy who doesn't care much for Barbara and the feeling is mutual. Not totally different than the way most families are.
Barbara learns from her sister that no sooner has she been in college before she's engaged. She must keep it a secret though from Mother and Dad until Rosemary comes home that Friday, and then she'll spring it on the folks. Barbara agrees, and the dreamy, imaginative fifteen year old begins thinking about her own love: deciding between the shy Tootie Bodger and the exciting Bill Cunningham. Should she go out with someone who is too shy for her or someone who could earn the family nickname of a "cunning ham"? Barbara doesn't know.
But between wedding preparations, meeting the in-laws, and a whole lot more things going on, Barbara learns a lot of things about herself and about life - as sister of the bride.

Helpful

Penny Thoughtful

This is a cute story.

Reviewed in Canada on June 6, 2002

This book is aimed at teenagers, but could be enjoyable for someone of any age. It's about a girl whose older sister is getting married "too young" in a kind of spur-of-the-moment wedding, but the family pulls together and makes everything work. The protagonist of the book learns about teamwork, new perspectives and what it's like to grow up. It's a great read-aloud story and an enjoyable way to occupy an afternoon.

Reviewed in Canada on February 26, 2000

Sister of the Bride was a very nice book. It was very realistic as all of her books are. I liked reading it because it was written such a long time ago and some of the pharases where kind of old and that mad it fun to read. I also liked it because of the non stop adventure. BUY THIS BOOK!

Reviewed in Canada on April 30, 2003

Sister of the Bride is cute. It is about Barbara MacLane who finds out that her older sister, Rosemary is getting married. She wants to ensure that Rosemary will get a beautiful wedding but Rosemary has turned into a practical person- while Barbara is having boy troubles of her own- first with her annoying brother Gordy, and then with Tootie Bodger, who is 6'4, and Bill Cunningham, who is implied as handsome and gives her rides of his Vespa.
I have read all four books of first love by Beverly Cleary and this is the only book that I give 3 stars- the others are all 4's or 5's. It becomes boring after quite some time. After all, who wants to hear about the Amys' shower? That part was boring. But overall you can find an enjoyable read in this, although it is mediocre.

Helpful

Leigh

This Is an Awesome Book!

Reviewed in Canada on December 11, 2000

This is a great story about a young girl who wants to be grown up like her sister. She wants to be the one getting married but is happy being bridesmaid. Then she starts worrying about boys. Who does she like better Tootie or Bill? Read this wonderful book and you'll find out. It's good for ages 9 and up. I hope you like it as much as I did.

Helpful

Erika Amaya

This is a great book with heart, wit, and humor.

Reviewed in Canada on October 16, 1999

I read this book when I was about 8 years old.I still remember all of the little things like the naive narration, the wonderful descriptions, and the heartfelt tale of a little sister watch her beloved big sis get married.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Suzy Will

Beverly Cleary books are still enjoyable!!

Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2023

Verified Purchase

This story is very relevant to the date and events of this time!

Amazon Customer

No rude surprises, just as expected!

Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2022

Verified Purchase

I was looking for a teen romance from the 60s, and that's what I got!

susan

Blast from the past!

Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2019

Verified Purchase

I read this book when I was in junior high school. I spotted it on my Kindle and couldn't believe it was still around. I know, I'm a grown woman with several college degrees. But, I still loved it after all this time.

6 people found this helpful

FranGran

Great story for reinforcing traditional values even today!

Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2014

Verified Purchase

I bought this for my sixteen-year-old goddaughter at her request. She devoured the story immediately and enjoyed it immensely. Although I had not read it, when I got to the preview page where the girl was not permitted to entertain guests when her parents were not home, I was sold on it. This kind of story reinforces good morals, something so lacking in our culture.

5 people found this helpful

Eve

Sister of the Bride Review

Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2013

Verified Purchase

This was one of my favorite books in jr. high school. I thought about it recently and decided to see if it was still in print...lo and behold... it is!!! Was expecting a hard cover but the soft cover is fine. STILL LOVE THE STORY!!

4 people found this helpful

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