When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie by Erin Soderberg Downing

 

5 Stars | Erin Soderberg Downing | 2021 | Realistic Fiction | Grades 3-7  | 256 pages 

I think this book is perfect for elementary middle-grade. It is a road trip story with humor, some pictures, a heartwarming family adventure, and a lesson or two.  

The Peach family lives near Duluth, Minnesota with their father, a 7th-grade sister named Lucy, and two younger brothers named Freddy and Herb. They are looking forward to a summer vacation where Lucy plans to read all the books on her 7th-grade reading list, Freddy has art projects to do, and the youngest, Herb wants to swim every day. 

Father comes home and tells the kids that he has purchased a food truck with the million dollars they just received from their mother's invention.  Their mother passed away from cancer several years ago. He tells them that this is what they had always talked about doing together as a family. And so they learn how to make pies and go on a road trip to try and become successful business owners and they even hope to win a food truck festival contest.  Of course, it isn't easy or smooth sailing. Deep down, everyone is dealing with the grief of losing their mother and this crazy summer plan may be something that pushes them back into a cohesive family again.

If you like The Penderwicks or The Vanderbeekers, then you will get a similar vibe with this story.  It is also going to be a series.   The last chapter gives you a hint on the next task the Peach family tackles.  I highly recommend this book!

Favorite Middle Grade Books from Summer Reading

 

I will admit that I read a lot more adult books this summer, however, I still ended up with 10 terrific books to recommend for a middle-grade reader. Check out my favorites!

Hattie Big Sky  

This book is based on a true story about a young teenager who goes to Montana to homestead her Uncle's portion after his death. I loved this book back when it first came out in 2006. I listened to the audio a few years back and loved it again. On my summer trip, while driving through Montana, I listened to it again. That's high praise for a book when I can say I read it three times.  I think I loved the sequel even more. Check out the next link. 

Hattie Ever After  

Ahmed Aziz's Epic Year

The Comeback

Inkling

This is a fantasy about a little ink blot who comes to life and befriends a boy and his family in their struggles. Lots of pictures will make this a great book for kids and I loved the heartwarming story. 

Stamped (for Kids)

City Spies: Golden Gate

This is the second book in the City Spies series. This time the kids end up in San Francisco with lots of mystery, adventure, and spying. 

Red, White, and Whole

Reha is an Indian American girl who feels torn between two cultures and also has to deal with her mother's serious illness. This book is written in verse and is beautiful and heartbreaking. 

Max & the Midknights

The author of Big Nate has a new series set in the middle ages. This funny story is about Max and the quest to become a knight. It is a graphic novel-style book and is sure to be a hit with young readers. 

From the Desk of Zoe Washington

Zoe learns that her father is in prison and starts to write to him discovering that he was falsely accused of his crime. As she gets to know him, she wants to help him get out of prison.