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!