Skip to main content

One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street

One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street
By Joanne Rocklin
Amulet Books, 2011. 207 pages. Fiction.

Robert is an aspiring magician, Ali has a baby brother who suffers from a terminal illness, Leandra is furious at the prospect of a new baby sister, and Bunny experiences anxiety when her mother is away. These four children who have grown up together on Orange Street are in for a day of discovery and adventure. On this particular day, a stranger comes to look around the childrens' hangout, an abandoned lot that is home to the last surviving tree from their neighborhood's orange grove. The oldest person on the street, Mrs. Snoops, is the only one who might know who this strange man is. (The children call her Mrs. Snoops because she knows everything about everyone who has ever set foot on Orange Street.) The only problem is, she suffers from dementia and has trouble remembering much. Read to find out what secrets unfold!

What a superb, slice-of-life juvenile novel! The everyday, real-life details are so funny. Don't we all know an old neighborhood snoop? This is a perfect read for a beautiful summer day, or on a day when you just need some light in your life. The mystery is lighthearted but still interesting.

Comments

Marsha Judkins said…
Sounds like a super fun book--I am going to read it thanks to your review!

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Umami

  Umami By Jacob Grant New York: Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 2024. Picture Book. Umami is a little penguin who is sick of eating the same thing everyday, cold fish --ugh! She becomes determined to find new foods and flavors, so Umami begins a journey across the sea in search of something different to eat. She reaches a place with a plethora of delicious options, and tries bitter, sweet, sour, and foods with umami (just like her name!) among others. Umami decides to bring all these delicious new flavors back for the other penguins to try in a feast. But, will the other penguins enjoy this new experience?  Filled with charm and humor, Umami is a diverse romp through a universal experience --am I willing to try something new? What will it be like? The idea of trying new foods and flavors make it especially relatable, and the appealing illustrations will have many readers ready to hop out on a culinary adventure. A humorous and sweet ending, caps off this delig...

Review: Faker

Faker By Gordon Korman New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. Fiction. 214 pages. 12-year-old Trey is used to starting over at a new school -- he has the routine perfectly memorized: make new friends, introduce his dad to the wealthy parents of his new friends, and "Houdini" themselves out of there before they get caught running their latest scam. Trey's dad is a master con artist, and Trey has just been promoted to full-partner. Their new scheme for the next big score brings them to the affluent suburb of Boxelder, TN where Trey's dad has cooked up a fake electric car company for investors to buy into. The only problem is that Trey is starting to grow tired of moving around and never putting down roots, especially after forming a fast friendship with Logan and developing a crush on Kaylee, a socially conscious girl in his class. As Trey longs for a normal life, is there any way he can convince his dad to get out of the family business? Gordon Korman is a perennial favorit...

Five Faves: Picture Books with Festive Treats

In my family, December marks the beginning of the holiday season, where we get to spend time together and do all of our favorite traditions. And, of course, eat lots of yummy food. I love that holidays look different for different families, but so many families have special foods they eat during the holidays. These are some of my favorite picture books about families making (and eating!) special holiday treats. These books might even give you new ideas of festive treats to try! The Last Tamale Written by Mendiola Orlando Illustrated by Teresa Martinez New York: Harper, 2024. Picture Book. Once a year, Luis' whole family gets together for their annual tamalada -- a party where they make tamales using a super-secret recipe. It's all love, family, and tradition until there is only one tamale left. Who will get it? It's an all-out family battle to decide who gets the last tamale. Colorful and humorous, this story is perfect for the holidays or whenever your family likes to enjo...