The School Story

At the beach, Andrew Clements' The School Story (illustrated by Brian Selznick) was next in the pile. Set in the Upper Eastside of Manhattan, the story features the determination of Natalie Nelson, 12-year-old novelist, and her best friend Zoe Riesman, Natalie's literary agent. With the somewhat reluctant help of their advisory, Ms. Clayton, the girls create a nom de plume for Natalie, set up an office for Zoe and sell the story to Natalie's mom's publishing house. While the author asks the reader to take some large leaps of faith, kids will undoubtedly cheer along with Natalie and Zoe as they achieve their very grown-up goal.

Everything on a Waffle

A week at the beach gave me lots of time in the sunshine to read, read, read.
On the way there, we listened to Polly Horwath's "Everything on a Waffle," read by Kathleen Mcinerney. Cute story, but both my daughters objected to the constant repetition of the theme (believing in something because it feels right, but may not be rational). Set in the western Canadian coastal town of Coal Harbor, Primrose Squarp's parents were lost in a terrible storm and she's the only one who believes that they are still alive. As she is passed from babysitter to bachelor uncle, she finds comfort at The Girl on the Red Swing restaurant with owner Kate Bowzer, where everything (including lasagne) is served on a waffle. The book is a Newbery award-winner and a good example of a book that is loved by parents and librarians but not necessarily by it's intended audience.