Overview
Autumn comes to Camden Falls -- bringing new friends, new teachers, new worries, and new challenges.It's autumn in Camden Falls, and Flora and Ruby are just starting to settle into the town. Flora is worried about spending the first Thanksgiving without their parents. Ruby is worried about getting a part in her school musical. And their new friends, Olivia and Nikki, are facing problems of their own. But the friendship that ties them together will also give them the strength to work things out -- one stitch at a time.
Synopsis
It's autumn in Camden Falls, and Flora and Ruby are just starting to settle into the town. Flora is worried about spending the first Thanksgiving without their parents. Ruby is worried about getting a part in her school musical. And their new friends, Olivia and Nikki, are facing problems of their own. But the friendship that ties them together will also give them the strength to work things out -- one stitch at a time.
Children's Literature
Ruby and Flora are just beginning to consider Main Street their new home. After the death of their parents, they moved there with their Grandmother, Min. Now it is time for another big change: starting a new school year at a strange school. Ruby begins fourth grade while Flora begins sixth. When Ruby finds out about a play based on the history of Camden Falls, she cannot wait to audition and become a star; however, her excitement about having to do a death scene could unnerve her sister because of their parents' deaths. Halloween is another source of excitement for the sisters and their friends, as is finding the perfect pet for Olivia's birthday. More about Nikki's difficult home life is revealed, and Flora finds out more about her mother from Mary Woolsey. This second book in the "Main Street" series allows the reader to learn more about the characters and their relationships as the characters learn these lessons themselves.
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
Autumn leaves are falling in Camden Falls as sisters Flora and Ruby settle into their new home. Both siblings have worries: Flora feels ill-prepared for spending their first Thanksgiving without their parents, and Ruby is anxious about winning a part in the upcoming school musical. Fortunately, their new friendships with Olivia and Nikki offer them solace and even hints of solutions. A touching, homespun series for girls and boys, ages 9-12.Children's Literature -
Ruby and Flora are just beginning to consider Main Street their new home. After the death of their parents, they moved there with their Grandmother, Min. Now it is time for another big change: starting a new school year at a strange school. Ruby begins fourth grade while Flora begins sixth. When Ruby finds out about a play based on the history of Camden Falls, she cannot wait to audition and become a star; however, her excitement about having to do a death scene could unnerve her sister because of their parents' deaths. Halloween is another source of excitement for the sisters and their friends, as is finding the perfect pet for Olivia's birthday. More about Nikki's difficult home life is revealed, and Flora finds out more about her mother from Mary Woolsey. This second book in the "Main Street" series allows the reader to learn more about the characters and their relationships as the characters learn these lessons themselves.School Library Journal
Gr 4-6 Ann M. Martin's "Main Street" series is about two sisters, Flora and Ruby, who have moved in with their grandmother Min after their parents' untimely death. This sequel to Welcome to Camden Falls (both Scholastic, pap. 2007) begins the day before the new school year is about to start. Ruby is fitting in nicely, but Flora still misses her old life. However, she manages to cope quite well since she has Olivia and Nikki, her two best friends, in sixth grade. You can almost feel the chill in the autumn air as Ariadne Meyers effortlessly relates the story with an array of voices for the townspeople. Although the main focus is on the four youngsters, listeners get glimpses into the lives of the other residents. We learn about Mary's mysterious benefactor, Mrs. Willett's early stages of dementia, Nikki's abusive parents, Sonny's lonely Thanksgiving holiday, and more. For school and public libraries.-Mercedes Smith, Kernan Trail Elementary School, Jacksonville, FL