Remember Me to Harold Square

This summer could be a disaster. Kendra's parents have invited Frank, a 15-year-old she's never met, to stay with them. And they've planned a goofy scavenger hunt for the kids, including Kendra's bratty younger brother. They have to race all around New York City and visit places like the Empire State Building and the United Nations to find answers. But once they get started, Kendra doesn't mind the scavenger hunt so much, mostly because Frank turns out to be just as interesting as all of the sights.

When Frank spends the summer with Kendra and her family in their New York City apartment, a friendship develops as the two teenagers set off on a scavenger hunt exploring the city's museums, restaurants, and other landmarks.

Kendra Kaye, fourteen, lives in New York City with her parents and her bratty little brother, Oscar. All of Kendra's friends have left town for the summer, and she dreads the long, hot months ahead. Then her parents break the big news: Frank Lee, a fifteen-year-old boy from Wisconsin farm, will be living with the Kayes for the whole summer.

Kendra immediately goes into shock. What will he be like? What if he's doofy? What will they do all summer?

Luckily, the parents have planned a Serendipity Scavenger Hunt that will take Kendra, Frank, and Oscar all over New York City. The Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the United Nations, and more welcome them as the unlikely trio explores the greatest city in the world. They even visit set of a famous TV soap opera!

It's a summer of discovery for the Serendipities, but will Kendra and Frank be the main attraction?

Publishers Weekly

Danziger celebrates New York City in this story of a teenage girl (the only one of her gang spending the summer in the city), her brother Oscar (O. K.to his friends, age 10) and Frank Lee (he's 15, from a Wisconsin farm), who all embark on a six-week-long scavenger hunt devised by their parents. The threesome, nicknamed The Serendipities, are being offered, according to their parents, ``an absolutely, wonderful, marvelous educational experience in which they will search for objects, facts, people, and places.'' If they complete the contract, the grand prize is a trip to England for the two families. With characteristic humor, tart language and quick phrasing, Danziger's teenagers not only share a summer getting to know each other but also explore the riches of a city often perceived as dirty and dangerous. Ages 10-14. (September)

Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in New York, Paula Danziger knew since second grade that she wanted to be a writer. Beginning her career as a teacher, Danziger taught at the junior high, high school, college levels. She received her Masters Degree in reading and during that time she wrote her first bestselling novel, The Cat Ate My Gymsuit. She returned to teaching, but the success of her book encouraged her to become a full-time writer. It was non-stop for Danziger since then. Among her titles are: the enormously popular Amber Brown books as well as Remember Me To Harold Square, The Divorce Express, and Can You Sue Your Parents For Malpractice?

Danziger received numerous honors, including: Parent's Choice Awards, International Reading Association - Children's Book Council Awards, a IRA-CBC Children's Choice Award and many nominations for state reading and library association awards.

Known as a flamboyantly funny and deeply honest writer and speaker, Paula Danziger knew how to relate to young readers at their level. She was vital, funny, and compassionate. She knew how kids felt, what made them laugh, what they wore, collected, read, and played with. From collecting novelty toys that would make any teacher cringe, to wearing jangly earrings, funky glasses and shoes covered with beads and sequins, Paula Danziger had a direct line into kids' hearts and funnybones. She will be missed always.

In Paula's memory, The Amber Brown Fund has been established to bring authors and illustrators to schools and libraries which otherwise could not afford them. Donations may be sent to The Amber Brown Fund/ SCBWI Museum of Children’s Books, 8271 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048.