Today I'm pleased to announce, courtesy of Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, a book give-away. The publisher has offered FIVE copies of Piper Reed: The Great Gypsy, written by Kimberly Willis Holt and illustrated by Christine Davenier to readers of this blog.
I reviewed this title recently (it is the second in a series aimed at elementary school kids), and I said:
"This book had a feel to me of classic middle grade fiction. The Reeds reminded me a bit of the Melendy family (except for the first-person viewpoint centered on Piper, and the presence of email). There's not so much a plot as a series of incidents, as the reader spends time with a family that feels real... Piper Reed: The Great Gypsy has just the right amount of sentimentality - enough to give the book heart, without being sappy... Highly recommended for kids just reaching into middle grade fiction who want day-to-day stories that they can relate to."
If that sounds like fun to you, you can comment on this post to be entered in a random drawing to win one of the five copies. I'll contact the winners via email to obtain mailing addresses, and pass those along to the publisher. The deadline is October 17th, at noon Pacific Time).
Bonus questions (they don't increase your chances, but I'd love to hear your responses):
- What other books published in the last couple of years do you think have that classic middle grade fiction feeling, even if they also have more modern trappings? (Think Elizabeth Enright, or Noel Streatfeild, or Mary Norton - books that many of today's adults loved as children. If the question doesn't make sense to you, feel free to ignore it.)
- Who is your favorite Melendy family member? (If you don't know who the Melendy family is, then you should ignore this question, too.)
I would love to be entered for this contest! Thanks!!
Hmmm...middle grade classics...I really enjoyed Toys Go Out and am about to start Toy Dance Party by Emily Jenkins. They remind me of the Velveteen Rabbit a bit. I'm not sure what necessarily makes a book a classic, but I think these books definitely have potential to be lasting. They are certainly adorable and sort of have that timeless quality to them. There isn't much in them in terms of technology or the pop culture references that might date them. I'll be curious to check back on further comments to see what books other people thought will become classics.
Posted by: Holly | October 09, 2008 at 03:36 PM
1. I would say The Penderwicks is a recent book I've read with that classic feel.
2. I loved all of the Melendy family dearly, but I'd have to say my favorite was Randy. (And now I'm going to have to dig out my copy of The Saturdays and re-read it.)
Posted by: Susan | October 09, 2008 at 05:11 PM
HEY, GIRL! Long time no talk! I was going to say that my classic would be the Penderwick's the first and second.
I am totally up for a contest!
Posted by: Megan Germano | October 09, 2008 at 06:01 PM
Would love to win a copy!
1. I would second The Penderwicks. I also LOOOOOOVE Kate DiCamillo's The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.
2. My favorite Melendy would be Mona...I'm also fond of Cuffy.
Marianna
Posted by: Marianna | October 09, 2008 at 06:40 PM
I just purchased the first book for my advanced-reading second grader. I would love a matched set!
I also immediately thought of The Penderwicks and the The Penderwicks on Gardam Street. Since that seems the standard response so far, I thought some more. How about Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters?
Posted by: susan | October 09, 2008 at 07:15 PM
I am very interested in your contest! I would suggest, "Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog," by Barbara Techel. It is a cute, true story about a little dog who is disabled. It teaches kids to have compassion for others (whether they be animals or people). Here is a link to the books site, to view it closer.
http://www.joyfulpaws.com/
Posted by: Becky | October 09, 2008 at 07:47 PM
I'm already a Piper Reed fan and can't wait to read the new book. But, then I love anything Kimberly Willis Holt writes!
As far as middle grade fiction with a classic feel is concerned, I'd have to fall in line with everyone else who mentioned The Penderwicks.
Posted by: Sarah Sullivan | October 09, 2008 at 09:03 PM
I most certainly want to read anything you say sounds like the Melendy books! I can't thing of anything recent, though, in answer ot your question 1.
My favorite Melendy as a child was Randy; these days, what with being more boy focused, I am very very fond of Oliver.
Posted by: Charlotte | October 10, 2008 at 04:27 AM
Pick me pick me - LOL!
I too was going to say The Penderwicks - and the sequel!
Kimberly was a friend of Coleen Salley and has an aweseom write up about her on her blog.
Posted by: Kathy | October 10, 2008 at 07:06 AM
I just got Piper Reed, Navy Brat in a book pack for my elementary library - it is in my stack to read! I would love to add this to my collection!
As for the Penderwick girls - that goes without saying! I also think of Anastasia Krumpnik by Lois Lowry - those books are not even on my library's shelves, and no one talks about them, but I loved them A LOT. As for my favorite Melendy - while I was in awe of Mona, I connected most with Randy.
Posted by: Erin | October 10, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Penderwicks
get rich club
homework machine
no talking
Posted by: Carla McDowell | October 10, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Hi,
We'd love to be entered in the contest.
Posted by: Book Dads | October 15, 2008 at 02:38 AM
Sounds fantastic. I'd love to add it to my classroom library (and read it myself!).
Posted by: Liza Lee Miller | October 15, 2008 at 06:50 AM
I would love to win a copy! I've seen a couple of reviews now, and it sounds like a fun read.
Posted by: Terry | October 15, 2008 at 06:50 AM
Many thanks to everyone who entered, and especially to those of you who took time to discuss classic-feel books, and the Melendy family, with me. The Penderwicks a the clear winner in terms of books with that classic feel.
My favorite Melendy was Randy when I was a kid (I never got Mona or Russ). But on re-reading, I found that I really appreciated Oliver and Cuffy. Go figure!
Anyway, thanks everyone. I'll compile your results into a post about the winners sometime after noon on Friday.
Posted by: Jen Robinson | October 15, 2008 at 09:04 AM
How about the lovely Casson Family Series by Hilary McKay?
And, YES, Jen, enter me in your contest. Thanks!
Posted by: Nan Hoekstra | October 15, 2008 at 12:55 PM
I agree with everyone else about Randy.
Hmmm... and as for recent middle-grade fiction, The Mysterious Benedict Society may fit the bill... or maybe the Percy Jackson series, if fantasy is fair game...
Posted by: sprite | October 15, 2008 at 01:26 PM
I'd love to win this book for my daughter.
I recently read Much Ado about Anne by Heather Vogel Frederick. It's the second in her Mother Daughter Book Club (I haven't read the first). It struck me in the same way, and unlike the Penderwicks, which feels classic because it IS (I don't recall mentions of cell phones, IMs etc), this book has modern girls who do text, but a very classic story and telling of it.
Posted by: Jennifer, Snapshot | October 16, 2008 at 05:31 AM
would love a copy of Piper Reed!
Posted by: Fredrica Berg | October 16, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Please enter me in the contest. Thank you!
1. Like so many others, The Penderwicks is the first book that entered my mind. I haven't read the sequel yet.
2. Picking my favorite Melendy was tough. My daughter related to Randy the most, but I also liked Oliver.
Posted by: LaVonne | October 16, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Hi,
I'd love to be entered in the contest. I wish I could answer your two bonus questions but my motivation for searching for kids' literature is my 4 year old girl. I just read Ramona the Pest to her and she enjoyed it but I was a little put off by some of the dated stereotypes. I felt the same way about "No Flying in the House."
I like that you discussed the aspects of a modern novel.
By the way, some of my favorite reads from my youth were:
1. Anything by Madeline L'engle
2. The Changeover (sorry, forgot author)
3. Anne of Green Gables series
4. Judy Blume
I'm reading The Doll People right now. I think my daughter may be too young for it, but it's a good read.
Cheers. I'll be back.
Rachel
Posted by: Rachel | October 16, 2008 at 06:05 PM
I have been meaning to investigate this series since I saw the first one reviewed so would like to be entered in the contest. I am pretty sure I read Holt years ago when I worked for Avon Books but felt then that her style was too placid to appeal to modern kids. I will be interested to see how her writing has evolved since then, and have 9 year old and 11 year old nieces who in addition to reading HP like Noel Streatfeild and Edward Eager, so are prime candidates (at least the younger one). My sister read them the Saturdays not long ago but I am not sure who their favorite is - mine was always Randy.
Re other books published recently:
Into the Wild by Durst - I liked this but am not sure it will appeal to modern girls who only know fairy tales via Disney not Andrew Lang
Mysterious Benedict Society reminded me of Ellen Raskin's The Westing Game.
Ophie out of Oz by Kathleen O'Dell was a bit Ramona-like. I gave it to my younger niece but am not sure she read it.
Dairy Queen and its sequel by Catherine Gilbert reminded me a bit of Seventeenth Summer. I loved them both and can't wait for the third book.
Incidentally, one of my all time favorite authors from childhood is K.M. Peyton and she is still going strong! Unfortunately, some of her books I have to order expensively from England.
Posted by: Lillian | October 17, 2008 at 08:10 AM