The Surprise Party - Hardcover
Feeling overshadowed by her mischievous younger brother despite her many special achievements, Genevieve decides to get her parents' attention once and for all by throwing them an anniversary bash, with chaotic results.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From Publishers Weekly:
At 11, smart, popular Genevieve Bishop aims to please, unlike her third-grade brother, Ernest, who is always getting into trouble at school and at home. Inevitably, Ernest becomes the center of attention, and even though her parents tell her she's wonderful, Gen has begun to find it burdensome to always be such a "darling." When she overhears her classmate Karen Knipper calling her a "goody-goody" and saying that she "doesn't have an original idea in her head," she decides to hatch a brainstorm of her own. Tapping all her friends, neighbors and relatives, she plans a surprise 25th-anniversary party for her parents. As might be expected, arrangements for a perfect evening are jeopardized by Ernest. He invites the estranged Grandmother Perl, even though, for reasons no one will explain, Mrs. Bishop has refused all contact with her since her marriage. Both Gen and Ernest are complex and dynamic, and Sachs (What My Sister Remembered) explores their rivalry with subtlety and sympathy for both. The liveliness of the characterizations, however, is somewhat compromised, first, by heavy reliance on dialogue (much of which repeats earlier exposition and little of which enhances the author's portraiture) and, second, by the almost magical effects of the party. Not only do Mrs. Bishop and Grandma Perl mend their fences, but Gen and Karen become friends, the Bishops' business picks up as Gen involves her classmates' parents in her party preparations, two teachers strike up a romance, etc. But while this is not one of Sachs's best efforts, it might be just what the doctor ordered for older sisters of rambunctious little boys. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal:
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Grade 5-8AUnlike her rambunctious younger brother, Ernest, who comes home almost daily with notes from his principal because of his behavior, Gen is popular with most of the students in her school. The exception is Karen Knipper, who makes her dislike of Gen obvious. When Gen decides to have a small, surprise 25th-anniversary party for her parents, everyone wants to get involved, including teachers at school and the parents of her classmates. As she tries to maintain control of planning the event, she also attempts to turn an enemy into a friend and enlists Karen's help with landscaping the yard. An unlikely friendship blossoms and Karen's sullen demeanor changes. Also central to the story line is Gen and Ernest's secret budding relationship with their grandmother, with whom their parents had a falling out many years earlier. Though some of the issues touched on in the book are serious, they are presented in a manner that suggests to readers that all will work out in the end. Ernest's escapades in school and at home are comical, and Gen's ardent efforts to be liked and appreciated will strike a chord with teens, as will her ambivalent feelings toward her brother. An engaging story with a light touch.ACarrie A. Guarria, Lindenhurst Memorial Library, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherDutton Juvenile
- Publication date1998
- ISBN 10 0525459626
- ISBN 13 9780525459620
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages164
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