Chat with us, powered by LiveChat

Those Kids from Fawn Creek



by
Erin Entrada Kelly

Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
HarperCollins
Imprint
Greenwillow Bks.
ISBN
9780062970350
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
Discrimination: Ableism , Discrimination: Sexuality , Discrimination: Disability , Language: Mild Language , Violence: General
$21.52   $17.93
SEE MEMBER PRICE
QTY
Out of stock

Every day in Fawn Creek, Louisiana, is exactly the same—until Orchid Mason arrives. From Erin Entrada Kelly, the winner of the Newbery Medal for Hello, Universe and a Newbery Honor for We Dream of Space, this contemporary school story set in small-town Louisiana is about friendship, family, deception, and being true to yourself and your dreams.

There are twelve kids in the seventh grade at Fawn Creek Middle School. They’ve been together all their lives. And in this small factory town where everyone knows everything about everyone, that’s not necessarily a great thing.

There are thirteen desks in the seventh-grade classroom. That’s because Renni Dean’s father got a promotion, and the family moved to Grand Saintlodge, the nearest big town. Renni’s desk is empty, but Renni still knows their secrets; is still pulling their strings.

When Orchid Mason arrives and slips gracefully into Renni’s chair, the other seventh graders don’t know what to think. Orchid—who was born in New York City but just moved to Fawn Creek from Paris—seems to float. Her dress skims the floor. She’s wearing a flower behind her ear.

Fawn Creek Middle might be small, but it has its tightly knit groups—the self-proclaimed “God Squad,” the jocks, the outsiders—just like anyplace else. Who will claim Orchid Mason? Who will save Orchid Mason? Or will Orchid Mason save them?

Newbery Medal and Newbery Honor winner Erin Entrada Kelly explores complex themes centered on family, friendships, and staying true to yourself. Those Kids from Fawn Creek will enchant fans of Thanhhà Lai’s Inside Out & Back Again and Rebecca Stead’s The List of Things That Will Not Change.

Author’s note, with photographs. Recipe for “Oma’s Cream Cheese Wontons.” Resources.

POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
Discrimination: Ableism , Discrimination: Sexuality , Discrimination: Disability , Language: Mild Language , Violence: General

Details

Format

Print

Page Count

336

Trim Size

8 3/10" x 5 1/2"

Dewey

F

AR

4.4: points 8

Genre

Fic

Scholastic Reading Counts

0

JLG Release

Jul 2022

Book Genres

Realistic Fiction

Topics

Grandparents. Restaurants. Chinese Americans. Immigrants. Racism. Genealogy. Minnesota. Family life. 

Standard MARC Records

Download Standard MARC Records

Cover Art

Download Cover Art

Praise & Reviews

School Library Journal

School Library Journal

Library Journal

Gr 4-7-Fawn Creek, LA, isn't the kind of town where much changes, so the seventh grade students are instantly intrigued when Orchid arrives. There's Greyson, whose interest in style makes him feel misplaced in his own family; Dorothy, who has taken to hiding behind her hair; and Janie, clinging to her ringleader best friend, Renni. Not only does Orchid have stories of living all over the world, she barely notices the small, divisive cliques that make up her new class. Her classmates begin to see possibilities that they never dreamed of, but not everyone is happy about the change. As secrets unravel and the community dance gets closer, the students start to see that maybe a shake-up is just what they need. This story features an ensemble cast, with each character's backstory revealed slowly. Fawn Creek itself also feels alive; readers will feel like they're breathing in the humid air and traipsing down familiar trails with the characters. Kelly shakes up the idealized small-town story trope by showing the realities of life in a small, poor town, and the limitations the characters face as they worry that they might never see what else the world has to offer. The premise of this novel has similarities to Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl, but Orchid and Fawn Creek may feel more authentic to readers. VERDICT While the plot itself is nothing flashy, this is a well-told, relatable novel about misfits and outsiders that will ring true with middle grade readers.-Kristin Brynsvold?(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Praise & Reviews

School Library Journal

School Library Journal

Library Journal

Gr 4-7-Fawn Creek, LA, isn't the kind of town where much changes, so the seventh grade students are instantly intrigued when Orchid arrives. There's Greyson, whose interest in style makes him feel misplaced in his own family; Dorothy, who has taken to hiding behind her hair; and Janie, clinging to her ringleader best friend, Renni. Not only does Orchid have stories of living all over the world, she barely notices the small, divisive cliques that make up her new class. Her classmates begin to see possibilities that they never dreamed of, but not everyone is happy about the change. As secrets unravel and the community dance gets closer, the students start to see that maybe a shake-up is just what they need. This story features an ensemble cast, with each character's backstory revealed slowly. Fawn Creek itself also feels alive; readers will feel like they're breathing in the humid air and traipsing down familiar trails with the characters. Kelly shakes up the idealized small-town story trope by showing the realities of life in a small, poor town, and the limitations the characters face as they worry that they might never see what else the world has to offer. The premise of this novel has similarities to Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl, but Orchid and Fawn Creek may feel more authentic to readers. VERDICT While the plot itself is nothing flashy, this is a well-told, relatable novel about misfits and outsiders that will ring true with middle grade readers.-Kristin Brynsvold?(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Grades 5-7
Upper Elementary & Junior High
For Grades 5-7

The perfect literary mix for your middle-grade readers. Featuring subject matter a bit more complex and multi-dimensional, this category is packed with captivating novels and fascinating nonfiction. Expect the 12 books offered in tis category to fly off the shelf.

12 books per Year
$236.64 per Year
Interests
Clean Books,Chapter Books/Novels,Fiction,Reluctant Readers,Transitional Readers,Realistic Fiction
Like this book?
Get more like this every month.
LEARN MORE
Grades 5-7
Upper Elementary & Junior High
12 books per Year
$236.64 per Year

Other Recommended Titles From Upper Elementary & Junior High

Boomi's Boombox

by Shanthi Sekaran

Upper Elementary & Junior High

August 2023

The Greatest Kid in the World

by John David Anderson

Upper Elementary & Junior High

July 2023

Finally Seen

by Kelly Yang

Upper Elementary & Junior High

June 2023

Not an Easy Win

by Chrystal D. Giles

Upper Elementary & Junior High

May 2023
Copyright © 2017 Magento, Inc. All rights reserved.11