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MISSOULA - A local author released a new book for kids, hoping to encourage them to network socially without the computer, a concept already common overseas.

Esther Lyon DelSordo, 10, was already filling in her responses in the "Friendship Book" at a signing party at the Learning Tree in Southgate Mall Thursday.

"You don't just read it, you kinda put your own words in there," DelSordo said.

The book contains space for 30 friends to fill out their own thoughts and opinions.

"They're all answering the same things, but you can look at 'em and they're probably different," DelSordo said.

Author Silke Jauck is a University of Montana graduate, originally from Germany where similar books are common. But she couldn't find anything like them here, so she created a new, American version.

"I didn't copy a German product," Jauck said. "I really made those books specifically for the U.S. with American artists and companies."

When Jauck approached Learning Tree owner Gillian Fetz about the "Friendship Book," coincidentally, Fetz was already familiar with the idea because she, too, grew up in Germany.

"I actually had one of these," Fetz said, "and so it was a total project that was completely dear to my heart and I was so anxious to get on board with it and so grateful to be asked to be with it from the beginning.

Now the books will be on the shelves of the Learning Tree or in the hands of kids, becoming memory keepers for years to come.

"I think I'll look back at what everybody wrote," Esther said.

The "Friendship Book" is also available here.