Wednesday, November 27, 2013

What is Clara's Secret?



As the music comes to an end, I let out a long deep breath. A breath I had held the moment she began to dance.



Georgie just wants to dance. She's desperate to take lessons, but ever since her parents decided to move it's the last thing on the "To Do" list- plus money is tight, and they can't afford to enroll her in ballet class. Her level of unhappiness is increased by the woes that come along with adjusting to a new town, and she really misses her best friend, Amber. At least she's able to visit her fun grandmother, Jane, at the nursing home. Life for the residents at Willow Lakes is pretty dull, but Georgie enjoys baking her delicious pies for Jane, and she's excited when she finds out that Jane's roommate, Eve, danced alongside the Paulina Strofsky, the famous ballerina who preformed as Clara in the Nutcracker ballet. Eve's recollections about her life traveling with the Russian Ballet inspire Georgie to come up with a plan to make money to pay for dance lessons. When Amber comes to visit, the two girls put their heads together, and the adventure begins. After a failed attempt to sell bedazzled tees, and then a botched beauty incident, Georgie and Amber are even more determined to come up with an ingenious idea. Word about Georgie's famous pies gets around, and things really start to heat up. Will Georgie be able to afford dance lessons? What happened to Paulina Strofsky? Why did Eve stop dancing? What will happen to the residents of Willow Lakes if Georgie and Amber keep trying to raise money? You will have to read this enchanting book to find out! 

Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas by Karen Pokras Toz is a delightful story. I really enjoyed the relationship that developed between Georgie and Eve, and found Eve's memories of the Russian Ballet fascinating. Georgie and Amber's efforts to raise money for dance lessons were insightful and clever, and I laughed out loud at some of their ideas. This is a captivating story, and the characters are very relatable. Karen Toz's storytelling is charming and her message is artfully delivered; Don't stop following your dreams, for one day they will find you

Has anyone else read Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas? Or have you read another book by Karen Pokras Toz. We would love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading : ) ~ F 

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19 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for the review! Georgie is thrilled the DMS gang enjoyed her story!

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    1. We are thrilled to share Georgie's story! It is a fabulous book! :) ~L

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  2. This sounds too cute! :D

    Just wanted to stop by and wish y'all a Happy Thanksgiving! :)

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    1. EJ- It is a fun book! Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving! :) ~L

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  3. Great review, Lizzie. My daughter and I have actually read this book and we loved it. We also loved Millicent Marie is Not my Name. Karen Pokras Toz is such a great author. Thanks for sharing and happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. Thanks, Greg! I love that you read this book with your daughter and enjoyed it. I thought Millicent Marie is Not my Name was awesome! Millie is a great character. Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving! :) ~L

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  4. Sounds like a lovely story that will appeal to girls the world over. And what a great cover.

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    1. Tracy- I love the cover, too! It is a story that will be loved by many. :) ~L

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  5. Aww, this sounds delightful! And makes me want some pie :) Hope you're having a great Thanksgiving!

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    1. Meradeth- It really is delightful! Who doesn't love pie? Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful! :) ~L

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  6. This looks like a great book. I haven't read it, but I do have Nate Rocks.

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    1. Medeia- Nate Rocks is excellent and so is this one! Karen is such a talented author. :) ~L

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  7. This sounds like a fun book! I like the mischief your review hints at! :D

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    1. Erik- It is a fun book! So glad you enjoyed the review and the hints. :) ~L

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  8. This definitely sounds fun. I always love stories about the importance of pursuing your dreams.

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    1. Jocelyn- It is so important to pursue our dreams. :) ~L

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  9. Sounds like a fantastic read, girls, and I love the message of not giving up on following your dreams and letting them trace back to you one day. Very important for all writers and artists to believe this!

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