This is going to be the most backwards spotlight I’ve ever done, but before I get to that, I’ve got a link to share.  Here, on Forever Writers aka Author’s Think Tank, you’ll find a guest post I wrote last week.  Called ‘An Editor’s RAP Sheet’ it touches on a few of the most common novel problems I come across in my day job as a content editor, and how seeing those problems can help you identify ways to strengthen your book.  Or, you know, keep your book baby out of trouble. 😉

Now, on to the Five Little Peppers.  As promised, I’ll be approaching this spotlight backwards, starting with all the reasons I wasn’t going to spotlight it.  First up, the cover.  No, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but in this case…the cover is hard to get past.

That’s the one the copy at our library has, but I’m happy to report there are better ones.  However, the cover does reflect one aspect of the inside–that the beginning of the book reminds you rather a lot of a medicine that’s been made too sweet, but you’re still reluctant to swallow.  There’s also often the feeling that the narrator is baby-talking to you, or has at least pitched their voice up to an unnaturally high pitch.  Can you hear it?  I’ll bet you can when you look at the cover!  To top it all off, the story itself is rather improbable.  People are repeatedly more generous than seems quite possible, while poor children never tire of being perfectly good.

All that said…it’s the kind of story that, once you begin it, you keep reading.  Yes, the plot twists are unlikely, but there’s something in them that satisfies your soul.  Also, the children are plucky creatures and better developed as individuals than you’d guess, from the way the book begins.  And while they may be slightly more angelic than any pinchable, real kids ever are, they’re *not* perfect and watching them struggle and show courage in the face of overwhelming odds is the stuff great books are made from.

Moreover, it’s a book that meets a reader’s innermost craving.  I may have felt the urge to roll my eyes a bit when I first picked it up this time around, but as a kid I read it and adored it!  And the reason we checked it out was because my daughter found it on a list for readers looking for ‘books like The Penderwicks‘ and so wanted to give it a try.  And she loved it!  So, clearly it’s a story that can span generations and outlast a bad cover…which I suppose may be why it’s labeled a classic? lol

Let’s see what Apricot-kitty has to say:

“Those children are always hungry.  They’re also always baking food, cooking meals, or wishing they had meals to cook.  I’m just glad they ended up with enough food in their stomachs!”

She’s right, and I think the moment when Polly gets her new stove–the one that won’t burn all the bread–is sure to bring a smile to the most jaded person’s face. 🙂

What books are you reading lately?  Or, re-reading?  Discovered any treasures lately?  Share your thoughts in the comments!  And for more Marvelous Middle Grade Monday reviews, spotlights, interviews and giveaways, stop by Shannon Messenger’s blog!  And happy reading!

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