Synopses & Reviews
I hate camp. I just hate it. I wish I didnand#8217;t. But I do. Being here is worse than bug juice on a burger. Or homework on Thanksgiving. Or water seeping into my shoes. In this sequel to the critically acclaimed
Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie, Eleanor is off to summer camp. At first sheand#8217;s excited to carry on the family tradition at Camp Wallumwahpuck, but when she gets there she finds icky bugs, terrible food, and worst of all: swim class, where she just canand#8217;t seem to keep up with everyone else. But as the days go on, Eleanor realizes that even the most miserable situations can be full of special surprises and that growing up is full of belly flops.
Praise for Like Bug Juice on a Burger
"Eleanor doesnand#8217;t just survive, she growsand#133;Readers will celebrate and look forward to more."
and#151;Kirkus Reviews
"Sternberg gets all of the details exactly right, from the and#147;orange, oozing sloppy joesand#8221; to the frustrations of trying to swim in a life jacket. susan dove lempke."
and#151;The HornBook
"This is a really sweet novel in verse and a good sequel to Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie (Abrams, 2011), though it works fine as a stand-alone."
and#151;School Library Journal
"Eleanorand#8217;s tentative yet heartfelt voice comes through as clearly as in the first volume, with the short, ragged-right-margin lines as approachable as her personality. Sternberg is particularly deft at leaving young-reader-sized room for interpretation and extrapolation."
and#151;The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"This sequel to Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie (2011) is just as endearing and wise, illustrating how small triumphs can help children survive what, at the time, seems an insurmountable trial."
and#151;Booklist
Award
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbons List 2013
Honor list - 2014 Gryphon Award
Review
"Gooney Bird doesn't need much help putting herself on the map. She'll be famous for years to come."-Kirkus
"In this fifth book in the series, Lowry deals with the ticklish classroom issue of students gloating about vacations. She (and Mrs. Pidgeon and Gooney Bird) handle it well, helping young readers reflect on the competitive chatter that often strains the fabric of a class right before holidays."-Horn Bookand#160;
"Witty and perceptive in equal measure, the book features fine-tuned dialogue, kid-friendly illustrations, and a strongly realized classroom setting." -Booklist
Review
Praise for
Prairie Evers "[Airgood] introduces irrepressible Prairie Evers, a 10-year-old country girl whose skill at turning bad situations into good ones is as impressive as the size of her heart." —Publishers Weekly
“A great book to recommend to readers who like a lively heroine and an intelligent, refreshing, and unpretentious plot.” —School Library Journal
"Easy-going, earnest story of friendship and family." —Kirkus Reviews
“Heartwarming. . . . Readers will love Prairies independent spirit and care about her relationships.” —Library Media Connection
"Those who miss Eva Ibbotson will find comfort in Airgoods world." —Booklist
Review
* "This inventive child is irresistible...Charming, funny and true to life." and#8212;Kirkus Reviews, starred review
*and#160;"Hanlon effectively uses many childlike pencil drawings and word balloons interspersed with a good mix of short and long sentences in brief, episodic chapters full of Doryand#8217;s hilarious adventuresand#8230;readers will laugh at her entertaining antics.and#8221; and#8211; SLJ, starred review
*and#8220; Time spent with Dory is time well spent.and#8221;and#8211;and#160;PWand#160;, starred review
*"A rib-tickling readaloud."and#160;and#8211; BCCBand#160;, starred review
"Perfection of tone, plot, pacing, art, you name it. Author Abby Hanlon has taken a universal childhood desire (the wish of the younger sibling for the older ones to play with them) and turned it into a magnificent epic fantasy complete with sharp-toothed robbers, bearded fairy godmothers, and what may be the most realistic 6-year-old youand#8217;ll ever meet on a page. In a word, fantastico."and#160;and#8212;SLJand#160;Fuse 8 Blog
"and#8220;This book has everything going for it: A throbbing heart at its center and#8230;humor in spades and charm to spare...this is one of the best childrenand#8217;s books Iand#8217;ve seen all year.and#8221;and#8212;Kirkusand#160;Reviews blog
Synopsis
Clementine is having not so good of a week.
- On Monday she's sent to the principal's office for cutting off Margaret's hair.
- Tuesday, Margaret's mother is mad at her.
- Wednesday, she's sent to the principal again.
- Thursday, Margaret stops speaking to her.
- Friday starts with yucky eggs and gets worse.
- And by Saturday, even her mother is mad at her.
Okay, fine. Clementine is having a DISASTROUS week.
Synopsis
This New York Times bestselling chapter book series has been keeping readers engaged and laughing for more than a decade with over one million copies sold
Clementine is NOT having a good week.
On Monday she's sent to the principal's office for cutting off Margaret's hair. On Tuesday, Margaret's mother is mad at her. On Wednesday, she's sent to the principal, again. On Thursday, Margaret stops speaking to her. Then Friday starts with yucky eggs and only gets worse. And by Saturday, even her mother is mad at her.
Okay, fine. Clementine is having a DISASTROUS week. But maybe can she find a way to make it better.
Synopsis
OVER ONE MILLION COPIES SOLD A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLLING SERIES
This delightful chapter book series, from the award-winning author of Pax, is a modern classic that has been keeping readers engaged and laughing as they follow the hijinks of Clementine, a clever and quirky third grader who's the most spectacular friend around. Perfect for fans of Amelia Bedelia and Ivy + Bean
Clementine is NOT having a good week.
On Monday she's sent to the principal's office for cutting off Margaret's hair. On Tuesday, Margaret's mother is mad at her. On Wednesday, she's sent to the principal, again. On Thursday, Margaret stops speaking to her. Then Friday starts with yucky eggs and only gets worse. And by Saturday, even her mother is mad at her.
Okay, fine. Clementine is having a DISASTROUS week. But maybe can she find a way to make it better.
READ MORE
The Talented Clementine
Clementine's Letter
Clementine, Friend of the Week
Clementine and the Family Meeting
Clementine and the Spring Trip
Completely Clementine
Synopsis
This delightful New York Times bestselling chapter book series, from the award-winning author of Pax, is a modern classic that has been keeping readers engaged and laughing as they follow the hijinks of Clementine, a clever and quirky third grader who's the most spectacular friend around. Perfect for fans of Amelia Bedelia and Ivy + Bean Clementine is NOT having a good week.
On Monday she's sent to the principal's office for cutting off Margaret's hair. On Tuesday, Margaret's mother is mad at her. On Wednesday, she's sent to the principal, again. On Thursday, Margaret stops speaking to her. Then Friday starts with yucky eggs and only gets worse. And by Saturday, even her mother is mad at her.
Okay, fine. Clementine is having a DISASTROUS week. But maybe can she find a way to make it better.
READ MORE
The Talented Clementine
Clementine's Letter
Clementine, Friend of the Week
Clementine and the Family Meeting
Clementine and the Spring Trip
Completely Clementine
Synopsis
I had a bad August.
A very bad August.
As bad as pickle juice on a cookie.
As bad as a spider web on your leg.
As bad as the black parts on a banana.
I hope your August was better.
I really do.
When Eleanor's beloved babysitter, Bibi, has to move away to take care of her ailing father, Eleanor must try to bear the summer without Bibi and prepare for the upcoming school year. Her new, less-than-perfect babysitter just isn't up to snuff, and she doesn't take care of things like Bibi used to. But as the school year looms, it's time for new beginnings. Eleanor soon realizes that she will always have Bibi, no matter how far away she is.
Written in a lyrical style with thoughtful and charming illustrations throughout, this remarkable debut novel tells a poignant story of friendship and the bittersweet feelings of growing up.
Praise for Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie
“Eleanors ingenuous free-verse monologue should strike a chord with readers, especially those who may have had to cope with the loss of a loved one. Cordells halftone cartoons convey the storys pathos and humor, as well as Eleanors changeable moods.” –Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
Princess Posey is back in another super cute chapter story! When Gramps buys Posey the most adorable stuffed animal-a pink piglet named Poinky who can perch on the top of her pencil-Posey can't wait to show him to all her friends. But when Poinky mistakenly ends up in Miss Lee's Consequence Drawer Posey is heartbroken. Will the Pink Princess be able to find her courage and explain things to Miss Lee?
Synopsis
Penelope Crumb is no ordinary fouth grader. And when she discovers that she *gasp* has a big nose she's initially devastated. But when her mother lets her know that she has the same nose as her Grandpa, Penelope perks up. And then she perks up even more when she finds out that Grandpa isn't dead like she expected--he's just gone. And she decides that it's her job to find him. A sweet and funny story with tons of heart and hijinx about Penelope using her big nose to bring her family together.
Synopsis
Gooney Bird Greene returns for another rollicking classroom adventure in this fifth installment of two-time Newbery Award Winner Lois Lowry's Gooney Bird series.
Synopsis
Gooney Bird Greene returns for more adventures in this chapter-book series from two-time Newbery Medaland#8211;winner Lois Lowry, with Middy Thomasand#8217;s black-and-white illustrations bringing the classroom to life throughout. Mrs. Pidgeonand#8217;s second grade class has a lot to celebrate in February: presidentsand#8217; birthdays, Valentineand#8217;s Day, and school vacation. Of course, the students are talking about their awesome vacation plans every chance they get. It can be hard to focus on subtraction problems when youand#8217;re heading to Hawaii or Florida in seventeen minus seven days! But most of the class (twelve minus three of them, in fact) will be staying home during vacation. Can Gooney Bird Greene keep spirits up while everyone is feeling down? Gooney Bird has a great idea that sends her classmates and her on a snowy spin through U.S. history and geography!
Synopsis
The fifth book in the Princess Posey chapter book series, perfect for first grade readers! When Gramps buys Posey the most adorable stuffed animal-a pink piglet named Poinky who can perch on the top of her pencil-Posey can't wait to show him to all her friends. But when Poinky mistakenly ends up in Miss Lee's Consequence Drawer Posey is heartbroken. Will the Pink Princess be able to find her courage and explain things to Miss Lee?
"The simply written, satisfying text and pleasing gray-wash illustrations make this beginning chapter book from the Princess Posey series a beguiling choice for young readers."Booklist
Synopsis
This charming, coming-of-age story is perfect for fans of Joan Bauer and Sheila Turnage.
Prairie Evers is finding that school isnt all its cracked up to be. Shes always been homeschooled by her grandmother, learning about life while they ramble through the woods. But now Prairies family has moved north and she has to attend school for the first time, where her education is in a classroom and the behavior of her classmates isnt very nice. The only good thing is meeting Ivy, her first true friend. Prairie wants to be a good friend, even though she can be clueless at times. But when Ivys world is about to fall apart and she needs a friend most, Prairie is right there for her, corralling all her optimism and determination to hatch a plan to help.
Wonderful writing and an engaging narrator distinguish this lively story that celebrates friendship of every kind.
Synopsis
Move over, Junie B. Jones and Ivy and Bean! Here comes a lovably energetic little sister with a BIG personalityand#151;and an imagination to match! As the youngest in her family, Dory really wants attention, and more than anything she wants her brother and sister to play with her. But sheand#8217;s too much of a baby for them, so sheand#8217;s left to her own devicesand#151;including her wild imagination and untiring energy. Her siblings may roll their eyes at her childish games, but Dory has lots of things to do: outsmarting the monsters all over the house, escaping from prison (aka time-out), and exacting revenge on her sisterand#8217;s favorite doll. And when they really need her, daring Dory will prove her bravery, and finally get exactly what she has been looking for.
With plenty of pictures bursting with charm and character, this hilarious book about an irresistible rascal is the new must-read for the chapter book set.
About the Author
Sara Pennypacker was a painter before becoming a writer, and has two absolutely fabulous children who are now grown. She has written several books, including
Clementine, The Talented Clementine, and
Clementine's Letter, illustrated by Marla Frazee;
Stuart's Cape and
Stuart Goes to School, both illustrated by Martin Matje, and
Dumbstruck. Sara lives in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Marla Frazee did the illustrations for the first two books in the Clementine series. She is author/illustrator of Walk On!, Santa Claus the World's Number One Toy Expert, and Roller Coaster. She is also the illustrator of The Seven Silly Eaters, Everywhere Babies,and a bunch of other books. Marla works in a small backyard cabin under an avocado tree in Pasadena, California.
Kids Q&A
Read the Kids' Q&A with Sara Pennypacker