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The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies — book cover

The Lemonade War

by Jacqueline Davies
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Overview

For a full hour, he poured lemonade. The world is a thirsty place, he thought as he nearly emptied his fourth pitcher of the day. And I am the Lemonade King.   Fourth-grader Evan Treski is people-smart. He’s good at talking with people, even grownups. His younger sister, Jessie, on the other hand, is math-smart, but not especially good with people. So when the siblings’ lemonade stand war begins, there really is no telling who will win—or even if their fight will ever end. Brimming with savvy marketing tips for making money at any business, definitions of business terms, charts, diagrams, and even math problems, this fresh, funny, emotionally charged novel subtly explores how arguments can escalate beyond anyone’s intent. Awards: 2009 Rhode Island Children's Book Award, 2007 New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, North Carolina Children’s Book Award 2011, 2011 Nutmeg Award (Connecticut) Don’t miss the website www.lemonadewar.com or the sequel The Lemonade Crime (2011).
 

Synopsis

As the final days of summer heat up, so does a sibling showdown over a high-stakes lemonade stand business. Jessie and Evan Treski compete to see who will make $100 first off of their respective lemonade stands. Full of surprisingly accessible and savvy marketing tips for running a stand (or making money at any business) and with clever mathematical visuals woven in, this sensitively characterized novel subtly explores how war can escalate beyond anyone's intent.

Children's Literature

It is the dog days of summer, and siblings Jessie and Evan are divided about how to spend their last few days before school starts. Sometimes, his younger sister Jessie rubs Evan the wrong way, especially now that she is skipping a grade and will be in the same class as him. The two could not be more different. Jessie is great at school (especially math), but she has a hard time understanding people and sometimes makes poor social choices. Evan, on the other hand, is a master of "sweet talk" but cannot do a complicated math problem to save his life. So when the two siblings, in the wake of a hurtful argument, open rival lemonade stands to settle a bet about who can make more money, their different skills come into play in a big way. Jessie and Evan's relationship is portrayed in a humorous but realistic way, fights and all. The novel effectively combines math (especially money), economics and marketing to make a suspenseful, subtly educational plot that goes down as easily as a cool glass of lemonade in August.

About the Author, Jacqueline Davies

Jacqueline Davies is the talented author of two novels, as well as picture books. Jacqueline lives in Needham, Massachusetts, with her husband and three children.

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Editorials

From Barnes & Noble

Is Scott Spencer a lemonade stand cashbox thief? To decide the answer to that ominous question, Evan and Jessie's fourth grade class place the school bully in the defendant box at a classroom trial, complete with judge, jury, witnesses, cross-examinations, and a verdict. Jacqueline Davies' The Lemonade Crime can teach youngsters more about justice, fairness, and sibling loyalty than a dozen episodes of CSI.

From the Publisher

The basics of economics take backseat to Evan and Jessie's realizations about themselves and their relationship. Davis . . . does a good job of showing the siblings' strengths, flaws, and points of view in this engaging chapter book.
Booklist, ALA

A clever blend of humor, math fun and savvy marketing tips, it subtly explores how arguments can escalate.
New York Post

"[A] straightforward plot...teaches an important lesson on sibling relationships." The Washington Times 11/24/07 The Washington Times

"[T]his compelling tale about growing up and getting along is appealing and engaging." Book Links January 2008 Book Links, ALA

Children's Literature

It is the dog days of summer, and siblings Jessie and Evan are divided about how to spend their last few days before school starts. Sometimes, his younger sister Jessie rubs Evan the wrong way, especially now that she is skipping a grade and will be in the same class as him. The two could not be more different. Jessie is great at school (especially math), but she has a hard time understanding people and sometimes makes poor social choices. Evan, on the other hand, is a master of "sweet talk" but cannot do a complicated math problem to save his life. So when the two siblings, in the wake of a hurtful argument, open rival lemonade stands to settle a bet about who can make more money, their different skills come into play in a big way. Jessie and Evan's relationship is portrayed in a humorous but realistic way, fights and all. The novel effectively combines math (especially money), economics and marketing to make a suspenseful, subtly educational plot that goes down as easily as a cool glass of lemonade in August.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5 - Evan Treski and his younger sister, Jessie, get along well in many ways. They play together, and their natural talents are complementary. Jessie is a whiz in math and other school subjects, but "feelings were her weakest subject." Evan is competent in the social arena, but he is not such a good student. Their relationship changes the summer between Evan's third and fourth grades, when a letter arrives announcing what the boy sees as total disaster for him. He and his bright, skipping-third-grade sister will be in the same class. Thus begins the Lemonade War over which child can make the most money during the last week before school. The story is highly readable and engaging, filled with real-life problems that relate to math, getting along with siblings and friends, dealing with pride, and determining right from wrong. It even gives a glimpse into the marketing world. Each chapter begins with a marketing term, defined, but implemented as only competing children can. The result is a funny, fresh, and plausible novel with likable characters, and is suitable for reluctant readers.-Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at Washington DC Public Library

Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information

Kirkus Reviews

Told from the point of view of two warring siblings, this could have been an engaging first chapter book. Unfortunately, the length makes it less likely to appeal to the intended audience. Jessie and Evan are usually good friends as well as sister and brother. But the news that bright Jessie will be skipping a grade to join Evan's fourth-grade class creates tension. Evan believes himself to be less than clever; Jessie's emotional maturity doesn't quite measure up to her intelligence. Rivalry and misunderstandings grow as the two compete to earn the most money in the waning days of summer. The plot rolls along smoothly and readers will be able to both follow the action and feel superior to both main characters as their motivations and misconceptions are clearly displayed. Indeed, a bit more subtlety in characterization might have strengthened the book's appeal. The final resolution is not entirely believable, but the emphasis on cooperation and understanding is clear. Earnest and potentially successful, but just misses the mark. (Fiction. 8-10)

School Library Journal

Gr 3–5—Siblings Evan and Jessie are very different. To Evan's consternation, math genius Jessie is about to skip third grade and join his fourth grade class. Though adept at people skills, Evan fears Jessie will show him up and expose him as an academic loser. Thus begins the lemonade war in a misguided attempt to win a bet to prove which one of them is a better salesperson and settle their arguments. Lack of communication and a desire for revenge spin the competition out of control, until neither brother nor sister can win anything but mutual misery. Each chapter in Jacqueline Davies' book (Houghton, 2007) opens with a sales tip and definitions of everything from profit margins to franchises. Math concepts are also rife with ratios, arithmetic, and challenging real-life word problems. Stina Nielsen's crisp narration captures the contrasts of the children's personalities. This novel is ideal for classroom listening, with built-in math problems, marketing maxims, and discussion points on sibling rivalry and effective communication. Despite a weak ending and an all-but-absent parent, the story of young capitalists dueling over the all-American lemonade stand during a heat wave is engaging and believable. The sequel, The Lemonade Crime (SLJ, Nov. 2011, p. 68), resolves the ending. Teacher's guides, trailers, and activities can be found at http://www.lemonadewar.com.—Lonna Pierce, MacArthur Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

Book Details

Published
May 1, 2009
Publisher
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Pages
192
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780547237657

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