The School Story [Import]

For use in schools and libraries only. After twelve-year-old Natalie writes a wonderful novel, her friend Zoe helps her devise a scheme to get it accepted at the publishing house where Natalie's mother works as an editor.

About The Author:

Andrew Clements was born in Camden, New Jersey on May 7, 1949. He received a bachelor's degree in literature from Northwestern University and master's degree in teaching from National Louis University. Before becoming a full-time author, he taught in the public schools north of Chicago for seven years, was a singer-songwriter, and worked in publishing. He is well known for his picture book texts, but it was his middle school novel, Frindle, that was a breakthrough for his writing career. Frindle won numerous awards including the Georgia Children's Book Award, the Sasquatch Children's Book Award, the Massachusetts Children's Book Award, the Rhode Island Children's Book Award, and the Year 2000 Young Hoosier Book Award. His other works include The Landry News, The Janitor's Boy, No Talking, Things Not Seen, Things Hoped For, and Things That Are.

Special Features:

Cahners Business Information (c) 2001

Gr 4-6-When sixth-grader Natalie Nelson learns that school stories are always in demand at the publishing company where her mother is an editor, she instantly thinks, "Hey, who knows more about school than someone who's right there, five days a week, nine months a year?" Natalie, already an aspiring writer, is inspired to write a novel with this setting. She has no further plans until her best friend reads it. Zoe, a go-getter who never takes no for an answer, loves the book and schemes to get it published. The rapidly escalating plan involves pseudonyms for both of them, Zoe acting as Natalie's agent, corralling an English teacher to help, and a publication party with media present before the author's identity is revealed. The girls are believable characters, completely different, yet better friends because of it. Selznick's black-and-white illustrations add humorous details. A comic novel that's a sure winner.-Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA