Pizza Puzzle - Softcover

Pfeffer, Susan Beth

3.24

17 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0440413915 ISBN 13: 9780440413912

Publisher: Yearling, 1997

View all copies of this ISBN edition:

Taryn realizes that the whispering she hears between her parents is really fighting, and she is worried that they may get a divorce. Her worry carries over to school, where she is accused of playing a nasty prank on one of her teachers. Her two closest friends have a perfect alibi, so they too wonder--did she do it? To prove her innocence, Taryn must investigate. She finds herself lying to cover up her parents' problems, while trying to uncover what actually happened. Can Taryn clear her name as well as make things better at home?

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 4-7?Seventh grader Taryn Powell's parents argue in whispers, adding to her suspicion that her veterinarian father is having an affair with his receptionist. When Taryn becomes distracted by these family problems during English class, the teacher, unpopular Mrs. Erdman, humiliates her in front of the class for refusing to reveal the source of her inattention. At lunch, Taryn and her friends talk boldly, but facetiously, of a mean prank that might be just revenge on Mrs. Erdman?ordering six pizzas to be delivered to her house C.O.D. The real target of Taryn's vengeance, however, is her father's receptionist, and while she attempts to spy on the woman, someone else actually carries out the pizza scam. In a chilling scene, Taryn is called to the principal's office and subjected to a culprit's interrogation. Lexi Richards, a girl Taryn barely knows, lies to bolster her alibi, standing by her when her good friends fade away. Lexi later helps Taryn try to find the real perpetrator, but Taryn's troubles only deepen. The full truth finally emerges, including her father's admission of the need for marriage counseling, but not until after Taryn realizes that "Sometimes the truth doesn't count as much if it's surrounded by lies." The ending is hasty and contrived, with the class clown neatly baited into confessing his guilt, and Taryn's former friendships restored with no hard feelings. Nevertheless, readers should appreciate the satisfaction of seeing the underdog triumph.?Susan W. Hunter, Riverside Middle School, Springfield, VT
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly:

Take one spunky seventh grader, add two parents arguing in whispers, mix in one teacher on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and you have the ingredients of a not-so-tantalizing pizza puzzle. It all begins when Taryn is overheard dreaming up ways to get back at mean Mrs. Erdman, a teacher who humiliates students on a regular basis. Taryn decides to save her best scheme?having 10 pizzas delivered to her enemy's home?for use on a young woman named Lisa, who she thinks is having an affair with her father. While Taryn is hot on Lisa's trail, pizzas are delivered to Mrs. Erdman and Taryn, naturally, is the prime suspect. The overbaked plot does eventually straighten itself out, but long before the denouement, readers may lose interest in the cardboard characters and many will have already identified the culprit responsible for the confusion. While some readers may have fun following the twists and turns, a better brand of entertainment may be found in Pfeffer's previous works, such as Twice Taken and The Year Without Michael. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.