Turkey Monster Thanksgiving

September 22, 2003
"Kids like you and me—without mothers at home... have to do things perfectly," says Claire, neighbor and classmate of Katie, the narrator of this rather slim novel. To prove it, Claire and her widower father are throwing a Thanksgiving dinner for 40. Katie, whose mother left three years ago to become a Country and Western star, in a fit of competition, claims that she, her father and her three-year-old brother, Tyler, are having holiday guests, too—even though her family tradition is pizza and pajamas for Thanksgiving. She "accidentally" invites her fourth-grade teacher, and spontaneously asks her dad's boss, too. The "turkey monster" (a giant lawn ornament Claire made as decoration, which scares Tyler) metaphor, Katie's mother's pursuit of stardom and Claire's haughtiness may be overblown, but this tale makes clear that every family has its own traditions, none more valid or "real" than the next. Ages 7-10.

September 1, 2003
Gr 3-6-Since her mother left to become a traveling country-and-western singer, fourth-grader Katie; her three-year-old brother, Tyler; and their father have spent Thanksgiving lounging in their pajamas, munching on pizza and popcorn, and watching football on TV. When her perfectionist classmate Claire Plummer taunts her with pictures from Beautiful Living of perfect celebrations, Katie starts to think that a grand dinner would help cement her family together, but she is embarrassed about her brother's rude table manners. Then she accidentally invites her teacher to Thanksgiving dinner, and she and her father scramble to come up with a meal. Readers are apt to sympathize with Katie's concerns about the cohesiveness of her family, while deft touches of humor add comic relief. Barbara Cohen's Molly's Pilgrim (Bantam, 1990) would make a good counterpart in a class discussion. Richly drawn characterizations, a brisk pace, and a theme subtly woven into the plot add up to an enjoyable read.-James K. Irwin, Poplar Creek Main Library, Steamwood, IL

Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2003
Gr. 3-6. Katie's mother has gone off to be a country-and-western singer, so Katie, her father, and her three-year-old brother, Tyler, have to fend for themselves. No mother in the house really hits home at Thanksgiving, when it seems that pizza will top the menu. Then there's Katie's friend, Claire, who is determined that her motherless Thanksgiving (her mother is deceased) is going to be right out of a magazine. Katie feels it's up to her to give her little family the holiday they deserve. This has the comfy feeling of a novel from an earlier era, even as predicaments pile one upon another as Katie counts down to the special day. Nothing is terribly serious: she has invited company against her father's wishes; Dad has a big report due on Thanksgiving Day (it's not a holiday for Dad's Japanese clients); Tyler runs away; and the turkey won't cook. But don't worry; all turns out well in this simple, easy-to-digest holiday fare.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2003, American Library Association.)