Squeeze My Hand

About the Book

“Squeeze My Hand” is an inspirational story, which through a tragic event changes the lives of many people from different walks of life.

Andy Youngblood, the son of a missionary, has just moved from Paraguay to Port St Lucie Florida. Ten year-old  Andy and his father have a loving relationship and Andy can always go to his father for spiritual advice.

Andy befriends two young boys across the street, Pedro  and Manuel Martinez.   Their father’s are quite different.  Andy’s father loves God and the Martinez father questions the existence of God. 

Pedro introduces Andy to the game of baseball.  This results into a challenge for Andy. 

An accident results in Pedro fighting for his life.  Andy reaches out to help Pedro through God’s intervention.  With his friend on the edge, so close to death, Andy’s faith and trust in God is tested.   

The members of the team are faced with the fact that Pedro may not live and definitely will not play in the most important game of the season  Andy  lacks the skills of a star player.  

Mr. Martinez and the physician caring for Pedro are searching for peace and understanding. Mr. Youngblood is their source of information and guidance.

This is a story of victory.  Not just victory on the field but victory in finding a loving relationship with God. 

About the Author

Janet Smith is a native of New London, Connecticut.  She is the daughter of the late Roy and Doris Smith.

She attended  high school at Williams Memorial Institute, where a strong emphasis was placed on writing and reading literature.

Active in the community during the Johnson administration.; Ms. Smith was the first woman appointed to the New London Redevelopment Commission.  As  program manager with the Model City program. Ms. Smith wrote programs for the education, recreation and public safety departments  in New London. Under her leadership the first hot lunch program was implemented in all New London elementary schools.

She wrote, produced and directed  plays for youth in the community. 

For ten years Janet taught kindergarten at Lakes Pond Baptist church.  She attended the Baptist Bible Institute in Waterford.  She  received her theology degree and continued her studies through Moody Bible Institute receiving certification in bible studies.

During her tenure with the Department of the Navy as the women’s program manager she was the recipient of the Department of Defense “best in class” award for her involvement with a documentary depicting the lives of extraordinary women of Rhode Island in the 20^th century. Janet wrote the biographies of women to be shown in the film.  In 2001 Ms. Smith retired from service with the civil service.  

Janet Smith moved to Port St. Lucie, Florida and joined the membership of Faith Baptist Church.  Upon the urging of the late Pastor Booher she assisted in the newly established She assisted in writing descriptions of courses for Atlantic Baptist College.  She serves as registrar and teacher with the college.

In her spare time she spends hours at the ballpark cheering for the Met farm team, and cheering the New York Mets on during spring training.