Tis the Season

In this third book of the MAIN STREET series, Flora and Ruby are preparing for their first Christmas without their parents. Main Street in Camden Falls is enchanting during the holidays, filled with twinkling lights in frosted windows and the eager preparations of their grandmother and friends. Ariadne Meyers captures the mix of melancholy and excitement felt by Ruby and Flora. Meyers's voice is uniquely suited for adolescent girls, bursting with uncertainty and determination, but she is also skilled with older characters. Flora and Ruby's visiting aunt keeps herself at arm's length, but their senior citizen neighbors are charming despite the challenges they face during this Christmas season. Elementary and middle school girls may want to return to this heartwarming book every December, but be warned--it's a Santa spoiler. N.M.C. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

April 1, 2008
Gr 4-7-After losing both of their parents in a car accident less than a year ago, sisters Flora and Ruby prepare to spend their first Christmas without them. Now living in Camden Falls with their grandmother Min, the girls are surrounded by thoughtful and caring neighbors, s their friends Nikki and Olivia, and get a surprise Christmas visit from Aunt Ally. The girls soon discover that they are not the only ones in Camden Falls facing challenges this Christmas season. In the third title ((Scholastic, pap. 2007) in Ann Martin's "Main Street" series, some of the difficulties facing the girls are mature in nature (abusive father, death, alcoholism), but the author handles each issue delicately, only touching on it, and the focus of the story remains on the caring relationships of the neighbors and friends. This heartwarming story, wonderfully narrated by actress Ariadne Meyers, will appeal to upper elementary girls and fans of the series."Amy Joslyn, Fairport Public Library, NY"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.