I bought this book last year for my then 3-yr-old and it was the first book that he absolutely loved. He still consistently chooses this one for a bed-time story. Why? Maybe it's the easy cadence and repetition of the words which allow him to "read" certain parts. Maybe it's the exceptional illustrations that keep us looking even a year later (see how many cat images you can find in the house). And he still laughs at the joke at the end. (I, too, like another reviewer, like the fact that a person of color takes the starring role, yet his race is irrelevant to the storyline. "He was a big man, he was a strong man" but there's no mention of the obvious fact that he's also a black man.)

My 5 year old daughter has just learned to read and adores this story. She loves the repetition of "He was a big man, he was a strong man" and the pictures greatly complement the text. She and I loved the ending the best. A great scary read aloud that your children will want to hear over and over throughout the years.

This is a wonderful book! It's great to see people of color in a book that doesn't really have anything to do with race! Kids will be scared out of their socks but there is a great lesson in these pages. This is a wonderful buy for children between the ages of 4 and 10.

Tryin' to Sleep in The Bed You Made by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant a Review by Eshaunda Howard

Gayle Saunders and Patricia Reid were total opposites who chose each other as best friends when they were children. Through the years they were raised together, as close as sisters. Gayle, the beauty, pampered by her working-class parents, believes a man will make her world complete. Pat, the brainy one, is the hand-me-down child whose mystery parentage haunts her. She's determined to finally make a home for herself, in the executive suite at the top of her career. And then there is Marcus Carter, linked to both women from the moment a childhood tragedy takes the life of his older brother that bonds them in secrecy. In all honesty, I feel that this book has had a good impact on me. In a way it has given me advice on how to handle the realities of life. I could see parts of myself in Pat, because I am like her in many ways a hand-me-down child, the result of losing one parent and the other not giving a damn what happens to me, being raised by my Aunt out of obligation first, and love second. Unlike Gayle's family where I guess you can say that they love her a little too much, to the point where they shelter her from the realities of the world which causes her to go throughout most of her life half blind and letting other people do the thinking for her. I learned a very important lesson from her life: not to shelter my children from the painful realities of the world whether it is encouragingly good or terribly harsh. Gayle's situation has taught me that it is better to explain everything to my children in the best possible way that I can, letting them know first hand what is going on. To give them the chance to learn and think for themselves, without them having to depend on me solely to do their thinking for them. The novel Tryin' to Sleep in the Bed You Made is a very realistic tale of two girls that are bonded by their differences, growing up together brings them closer than any best friends can get. Yet, their different goals set them apart as they learn to deal with the realities of life. But, what both girls go out in search of leads them right back to each other. This novel deals with some of the harsh realities that life throws our way. Reading this novel is like seeing parts of my life being lived through Patricia Reid and Gayle Sunders being able to become a part of their lives, being able to live and learn from their mistakes is what I believe is to be one of the great things about this book. Any person who reads this book will benefit from it unquestionably.

I finished reading this book yesterday, and I'm still in awe! DeBerry and Grant did a superb job of telling a beautiful story of frienship, betrayal, love, forgiveness, and letting go of the pain of the past. I wonder how the authors went about writing the book together, because it reads as though it was written by one person. One person with a profound voice, and a way with words that had me laughing out loud at some points, pissed off at some points, and crying like a baby at other points. And the way they wrote that Ramsey character! I fell in love with him right along with Gayle in the scene where she lost her virginity to him! And I was ready to take him back for Gayle in that scene in the cemetary! I think I identify more with Gayle than with any of the other characters in the book, but I loved them all!

This was definitely one of the best books I've read this summer, and I would even read it again. And I don't usually read books more than once, no matter how much I like them! I would also love to see this book made into a movie. For some reason, I see Vanessa L. Williams as the perfect Gayle. But enough of my raving about the book. If you haven't read it, you should! Believe me, you'll be glad you did!

Tryin' to Sleep in The Bed You Made written by friends, Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant is one of most beautiful and memorable novels I've read. This novel was originally published in 1997 but republished this year. This edition includes an all-new chapter that has not been published before. Now lets get to the story.

Gayle Saunders and Patricia Reid have been friends since childhood. They chose each other for their best friend. They are completely opposite. Gayle is beautiful and well loved by her parents. Her only ambition is to marry a man who has money and is someone with high standing in the community. Pat on the other hand comes from an unstable home. She is smart and determined to work her way to the top. Circumstances change for Pat and Gayle's parents adopt her. They grow up together like sisters. Pat is accepted into a prep school and their lives take different paths. Gayle marries Ramsey, a gambler who almost destroys her life. She does not have a clue about her husband's secret life. He is very controlling and Gayle lives to be the dutiful wife. Needless to say Pat graduated from college with honors. Her determination and hard work took her to top of her career in Advertising. After reaching the top Pat was not satisfied. She was still trying to find a place that she could call home. After years of separation and many trials and tribulations Pat and Gayle find the meaning of true friendship.

Marcus Carter who is a childhood friend of Pat and Gayle is troubled. He is being haunted by a tragic accident that occurred during his childhood. The details of the accident are a well-kept secret. Pat and Gayle share this secret with him.

The new chapter is an expansion of the original storyline and is well written. There is more about how you sleep in that bed you made. You are in for a surprise.

DeBerry and Grant have written a novel that is filled with so much honesty in their characterizations. The writing is clear and easy to follow. They have succeeded in making the characters feel like real people.

I was really touched by this book. It made me think about my friendships with other women. There is many twist and turns in this book but you are never confused about what really happens. This is a good book one that I could not put down until I finished.
I would recommend this book to all women.

Reviewed by Dorothy Cooperwood

I consider myself a big fan of Virginia Deberry and Donna Grant. I read and loved "Tryin to Sleep in the Bed You Made". I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of "Far From the Tree" but I wish I had checked this one out from the library. The story moved so slow until I had to force myself to finish. The ending was good and I couldn't wait to find out what was the big secret that (Odella) Della was trying very hard to keep hidden. Celeste was such a control freak until she almost lost her family in the mist of it all. Ronnie was searching for a dream that never came. Niki was the only character that I really cared for. She didn't allow her mother to control her life. I also feel that the book was too thick. With that being said, I wish these ladies the best. And I will support future work. God's Blessing.

I was very excited when I first bought this book. Trying to Sleep in the Bed You Made was so good, I couldn't put it down! I knew this would be a good book too.

Well, it has taken me 2 months to finish it. It was very slow in the beginning. I put it down and read other books in the meantime.

Finally, it started to pick up. Della, Celeste, and Ronnie are characters who I can empathize with. Everyone has a story, some we share, some we don't.

I like the lesson: As family, we cannot afford to keep things hidden from one another. The past affects the future, and greatly affects how we grow and develop as individuals.

My favorite quote: "If you don't shake up your life, all the good stuff will stay at the bottom."

All in all, I would recommend reading the book--just be patient, it will be worth it.

If I could give this book a 10 I would. This to me was better than 'Tryin to Sleep...'. I totally enjoyed this book from the first page to the last. Della had a life before her daughters came into the world and she definitely wasn't finished living by any means. Ronnie and Celeste thought they had seen it all until they came to Prosper, NC. This book was like 'Soul Food' with better twists and turns and more drama. I cried and cheered at the end that the family came together. It is amazing what communication between family members can do and what harm secrets can create. I hope that every mother and daughter can read this book and get something from it. I too am beginning to realize that my mother and grandmother were women on their own at one time and it is nice thing to know my mother as a woman and not just "Mommy". So, if you are looking for a soul searching book, I highly recommend Far From the Tree. As Virginia and Donna say, we never really fall that Far From the Tree. Enjoy.