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THE LAST BOY AT ST. EDITH'S

Name: THE LAST BOY AT ST. EDITH'S
Author: Lee Gjertsen Malone
ISBN: 978-1-4814-4435-4

by Lee Gjertsen Malone ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 23, 2016

Sweet, funny, exciting—a spectacular debut.

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After an attempt to go coed fails, one seventh-grader remains the lone boy at an all-girls school.

Jeremy Miner has become the last boy at St. Edith's Academy, and he can't take it anymore. Everywhere he turns there are girls, and his family doesn't help either. All he has are sisters and a mom, a mom who works hard at St. Edith's to get Jeremy free tuition to the prestigious school. Jeremy's family can't afford a different fancy school, and his mom refuses to transfer him to the subpar public school. And so, in desperation, Jeremy conspires with his best friend, Claudia, to pull a series of pranks that he hopes will get him expelled. The escalation in pranks is equaled by the dramatic complications: Malone uses the high-concept premise as a backdrop for her well-sketched characters. Every one of these characters is given just enough shading and hints at an inner life to be entirely believable. This is a completely thought-out world, and the author uses it to explore class issues, family dynamics, gender roles, and preteen friendship. Most impressively, the author doesn't shortchange any of these explorations, nor does she turn the book into a sermon. This is a funny, emotional book that will quickly become a favorite to many a reader, regardless of age.

Sweet, funny, exciting—a spectacular debut. (Fiction. 10-14)

Pub Date: Feb. 23, 2016

ISBN: 978-1-4814-4435-4

Page Count: 272

Publisher: Aladdin

Review Posted Online: Oct. 5, 2015

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2015

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

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MILLIONS

by Frank Cottrell Boyce ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 2004

The gentle British humor lies under the surface here, making the story a joy for readers of all ages.

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This amusing story of a boy who finds a fortune in cash tackles the moral dilemmas he faces while maintaining a gentle comic narrative.

Fifth-grader Damian becomes obsessed with saints after the death of his mother. When a bag of money falls off a train near his house, he thinks it’s been sent by God. But it’s British pounds sterling, scheduled to be burnt when the UK changes its currency to Euros. Damian and his older brother have only a few weeks to dispose of the loot before it becomes worthless. Damian wants to give it to the poor in imitation of his saints, while the always mercenary Anthony intends to spend it. Clueless, debt-ridden Dad doesn’t find out about the money until just before the exchange deadline.

The gentle British humor lies under the surface here, making the story a joy for readers of all ages. (Fiction. 11-14)

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2004

ISBN: 0-06-073330-6

Page Count: 272

Publisher: HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2004

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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RUNAWAY ROBOT
by Frank Cottrell Boyce ; illustrated by Steven Lenton

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SPUTNIK'S GUIDE TO LIFE ON EARTH
by Frank Cottrell Boyce

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THE ASTOUNDING BROCCOLI BOY
by Frank Cottrell Boyce

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THE FRIENDSHIP MATCHMAKER

From the Friendship Matchmaker series , Vol. 1

by Randa Abdel-Fattah ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 17, 2012

Abdel-Fattah demonstrates a savvy understanding of the middle school experience in this keenly observed tale.

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Seventh-grader Lara Zany’s reign as the self-appointed “Potts County Middle School official Friendship Matchmaker” is in peril.

Lara tackles her mission to aid the lonely with determination. Attempting to decipher the social nuances of middle school life, Lara busily compiles the “Friendship Matchmaker Manual,” a guide to help the friendless discover their perfect BFFs. However, readers soon realize that Lara the matchmaker mysteriously remains without close friends. When new student Emily defies the status quo by questioning Lara’s rigid rules of behavior, a friendship-matchmaking challenge ensues. As Emily and Lara endeavor to find BFFs for two friendless students, the reasons for Lara’s adamant rules—and her reluctance to have a BFF—are slowly revealed. Despite her aloof demeanor and exhaustive rules, Lara remains an amiable, sympathetic character. Her vulnerability and inherent kindness shine through, as when she defiantly defends students against the school bully. While the tale’s conclusion arrives rather abruptly, its encouraging message will appeal to readers.

Abdel-Fattah demonstrates a savvy understanding of the middle school experience in this keenly observed tale. (Fiction. 10-13)