Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas by Karen Pokras Toz - Review

From the Award Winning Author of Millicent Marie is Not My Name

Ballet and baking pies – these are two of twelve year old Georgie Harris’ favorite things. When her parents decide to move closer to her grandmother’s nursing home, Georgie quickly learns the bad news: dance lessons are too expensive in this new town. Instead, Georgie spends most of her time baking pies to bring to her grandmother at the Willow Lakes Nursing Home. There she meets Eve, who inspires Georgie with stories of having danced with a world famous Russian ballerina many years ago. As Georgie and Eve’s friendship evolves, their tales intertwine in this feel good story showing dreams really can come true.

My Thoughts: I love reading books for children because I know I can share them with my own kids. Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas is a book that I can't wait to share with them as they grow. My oldest is excited to get a chance to read it already. I expect that she will love it. The story is well written and fun.

I love Georgie. My daughter is only seven but I can already see that tween attitude starting to shine through. I thought Georgie was perfectly believable. She had fun responses to everything. I smiled constantly as I was reading. She was a screaming, jumping up and down, (inward) eye-rolling, and dramatic girl.

By far my favorite part was Eve's story. Eve gave a view of how children in a different time and place acted. It was an interesting contrast. I loved the story of Eve's life as a ballerina. Her story was emotional to me. I cried a little bit. I don't know if even Georgie was old enough to understand all that had happened, but it was a beautiful story.

This book was amazing. I was pulled along through each part of the story easily. I laughed at Georgie's descriptions of her mom. They were so perfect. Georgie and her friend's ideas for raising money were fun and inventive. I can't wait to let my oldest read this book. I think it is a perfect for children who enjoy chapter books.

Rating: 

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About the author:

Karen Pokras Toz writes middle grade and adult contemporary fiction. Her books have won several awards including two Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, First Place in the Children’s Chapter Books category and the Grand Prize overall in the 2012 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, as well as winning first for two Global E-Book Awards for Pre-Teen Literature, and placing Finalist in the USA Best Book Awards. Her books for children include the Nate Rocks series, Millicent Marie Is Not My Name, and Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas. For adults, she recently published Chasing Invisible. A native of Connecticut, Karen now lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband and three children. For more information, please visit www.karentoz.com.

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I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.