Eugenia Lincoln and the Unexpected Package: Tales from Deckawoo Drive, Volume Four

Description

What will it take for a cynical older sister to realize she's a born accordion player - with music in her heart? Eugenia Lincoln is a practical person with no time for gee-gaws, whoop-de-whoops, or frivolity. When an unexpected package containing an accordion arrives at her house, she is determined to have nothing to do with it. But her plans to sell the accordion, destroy the accordion, and give the accordion away all end in frustration. How can Eugenia stop being tormented by this troublesome package? Might she discover that a bit of unforeseen frivolity could be surprisingly . . . joyous?

Kate DiCamillo is the beloved author of many books for young readers, including the Mercy Watson and Tales from Deckawoo Drive series. Her books Flora & Ulysses and The Tale of Despereaux both received Newbery Medals. A former National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, she lives in Minneapolis. Chris Van Dusen is the author-illustrator of The Circus Ship, King Hugo's Huge Ego, Randy Riley's Really Big Hit, and Hattie & Hudson, and the illustrator of the Mercy Watson and Tales from Deckawoo Drive series as well as Mac Barnett's President Taft Is Stuck in the Bath. Chris Van Dusen lives in Maine.

Van Dusen's illustrations enliven the already amusing text. A great addition to chapter book shelves and a must-have for fans of the series. -School Library Journal The text is peppered with tough vocabulary for the more advanced independent readers in the intended age group, but the story also works well as a bedtime read-aloud for those not ready to tackle words and phrases such as "malevolent," "obtuse," or "diametrically opposed" on their own. Eugenia's need for routine and her intolerance of change and uncertainty will resonate with readers who experience life similarly. -Kirkus Reviews As in the earlier books, believable (if eccentric) personalities, sophisticated vocabulary, and polished prose make this an inviting title for emerging chapter- book readers. Fans of this series and the earlier Mercy Watson books will be amazed by Eugenia's partial redemption and delight that the results are merely temporary. -Booklist