About girl who stays with her independent aunt for a summer. She (girl) is independent, quick talking and smart— she learns all kinds of lessons as she works with Aunt on food mobile. She finds out about hard work, feeling like a “3-in-one” (feeling a unit with aunt and dog), and personal rights as they all get caught up in a lawsuit when competition wears skimpy bathing suits to attract customers. Main thing is that the aunt, who is minus a breast from cancer surgery, has a right to NOT participate in the debate, and NOT answer accusations that she’s a witch. The book is way inferior to From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler in that it’s predictable and lacks punch, but the characters are well drawn and believable.

Interesting book and concepts. Not for elementary students to read, but the older young adults will be fine with the cocepts. This is an entertainnig book.

There is a lot to be learned from Konigsburg both as a reader and a writer. Love her style and noted her pacing.

This was an ok book. It was about how this little girl did not want to go somewhere but she had to. Then when she got there she went into Nick's house and he has a dog and she is scared of it and they want her to pet it but she doesn't want to because she is scared she will smell like dog for the rest of the time. Then finally she pet the dog and figured out that their dog was nice and was not going to lick her and it was ok to pet the dog.

Not the best Konigsburg, look for "A View from Saturday" for that, still it was interesting for juvenile fiction. The ending was abrupt.

Who knew this was a book about thongs? ha ha ha.

I liked this book, but it's not one of my favorites in her extensive library. It's a little similar to The Outcasts of 19 Shyler Place, but not as good. 12 year old girl, coming of age trauma, weird relatives, funky social obstacle to overcome - but just not as good.

Great book - as usual per konigsburg. Thought provoking. Who sets dress codes? Who sets the cultural norms? Who has the 'right' to set decency laws/standards? What is the measure?

This is especially thought provoking in examining the Western bias/disdain for hijab and/or abaya and/or chador... what is modest? why is nudity not accepted and/or against the law fairly universally?

Is it OK to use sex appeal for sales? Is it a double standard?

How do the character's FEEL? How would you feel in the situation?


Another EXCELLENT book for basis of discussions...

This was a weird book. Weird characters. Weird story.

Not her best. And who refers to thongs as "T-backs"?

This was a weird book. Very weird book. Very very very weird book. And an unexpected ending. But it was pretty good.

This was an interesting book. It begins with a disclaimer about t-back swimsuits, and so if you are offended by T-backs I wouldn't recommend this book. It's about a girl who spends the summer with her step-aunt, in Florida. Unbeknownst to all parties concerned the step-aunt's work place is about to suffer a T-back revolution. It causes controversy all over town. It's a good book, just regular fiction. I don't think it's E.L. Konigsburg's best. By now you probably realize that I really like From the Mixed-up Files and The View from Saturday and don't care as much for her others. But what can I say? Throwing Shadows was good too. If you are looking for something different from what she usually writes this is a good choice.