Description
Sometimes, breaking the rules is the best thing you can do, especially when the rules don’t allow you to be yourself.
For Nadine Rostraver, fourth grade comes with peer pressure and new social rules. For one thing, girls aren’t supposed to hang out with boys anymore. So where does that leave Nadine and her best friend Nick? Then Summer Crawford arrives at their school and Nadine’s life goes from bad to worse! Nadine loses her job on the class newspaper and gets in serious trouble with her teacher. But Summer has always been a free spirit, and together Nadine, Nick, and Summer realize that life is a lot more fun if you march to the beat of your own drum.
Leslie Bulion’s sensitive, realistic look at adolescence will resonate with young readers who will recognize themselves and their own dilemmas in her well-drawn characters and their responses to a complicated world.
Reviews
“Readers will empathize with Nadie’s thought-provoking predicaments and her personal responses as she struggles through the transition from lower to upper elementary school.” ―Kirkus Reviews
“Readers will empathize with the protagonist and may see themselves in her” ―School Library Journal
“A great choice for younger students who are confident readers or as a class read-aloud.” ―Library Media Connection
“Realistic situations, honest emotions, and spot-on dialogue bring Leslie Bulion’s thoughtful story to life.” ―Curriculum Connection
Awards
Sequoyah Book Awards (Children’s Masterlist) ―Oklahoma Library Association, 2011
Charlotte Award Suggested Reading List (Intermediate) ―New York State Reading Association, 2011
Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Intermediate) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2009
Cochecho Readers’ Award (Nominee) ―Children’s Librarians of Dover, 2010-2011
Friends Medallion (Special Award) ―Virginia Beach Friends School, 2008
More Details
AR Level: 4.2
F&P: GRL S, Gr 4, Genre RF
Lexile: 650L
Themes: Friendship, Gender, School
BISAC 1: JUV039060 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Friendship
BISAC 2: JUV035000 JUVENILE FICTION / School & Education
BISAC 3: JUV051000 JUVENILE FICTION / Imagination & Play
