MJ's New Friend (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780998156170)

MJ's New Friend is a story of acceptance, friendship and finding the courage to do the right thing.

When MJ sees a new boy at soccer practice, he notices there is something different about the boy, but instinctively likes and trusts him. As their friendship unfolds, MJ learns there is more to the boy than he realizes. The boy is from another planet - the Pleiades! When the other children find this out, they are scared and mistrustful. It is up to MJ to "step up to the plate" and become a leader, stand up for his friend, and encourage the other children to look past their apparent differences and find the heart of friendship in diversity.

Appropriate for all ages, MJ's New Friend encourages positive character traits and helps children understand acts of friendship, courage, love, loyalty, strength, perseverance, leadership, and self reliance. The message is to help children realize that they can have a friendship with someone who is different from them. Irregardless of what that difference is, that friendship will be a special gift to last a lifetime.

Counselors and parents will use the book as springboard for conversation about bullying, acceptance and diversity (race, special needs children, children with a different appearance, physical handicap, etc.).

The inspiration for this story came from the author's husband, Sam Lowe, who had an interest in UFOs and people from other planets. It is Judy's desire that children of all ages open their hearts to those who are a little different. Our beautiful planet Earth will only evolve through love and light.