The School Story

Andrew Clements
Simon & Schuster, 2001

This book makes me cry. The beginning makes me cry, the end makes me cry. Why? Because it's about a sixth grader who is trying to publish a book, and I've wanted to publish a book ever since third grade, so there.

Natalie's mother is an editor at a big publishing house, but Natalie doesn't want her mother's help. In fact, she wants to keep the project a complete secret. With the help of her English teacher and a good friend who becomes the world's first twelve-year-old literary agent, Natalie breaks into publishing right under her mother's nose. But how long can they keep the secret, and what happens when mom finds out the promising author she's been editing is her own daughter?

I usually don't like to encounter characters in books who want to become writers because the author is so obviously writing about him or herself. But The School Story takes a different angle. Andrew Clements knows how it feels to be a writer, and that's what he's captured in this marvelous story. Recommended for ages 8 and up, essential for any kid who wants to become an author.