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If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period
by Gennifer Choldenko
ages 9–12
Harcourt, September 2007, ISBN 978–0‑15–205753‑4
Listening Library, October 2007, ISBN 978–0‑7393–4885‑7
Synopsis
Two kids. Two lives.
For Kirsten the world is crumbling. Her parents are barely speaking to one another and her best friend has come under the spell of the queen bee Brianna. Only Kirsten’s younger science-geek sister is on her side.
For Walker the goal is to survive the new very white private school his mom has sent him to because she thinks he’s going to screw up like his cousin.
“Don’t have to worry, Momma, before I go bad I’ll let you know, send a Hallmark card ready made for the occasion…on the eve your son messes up.”
But Walk is a good kid. So is his new friend, Matteo, though no one knows why Matteo will do absolutely anything that hot blond Brianna asks of him.
Two worlds collide in one compelling story. Then suddenly Kirsten discovers something that shakes them to their core…
“You knew all along,” Walk says.
“No, I didn’t.”
“You’re lying. You found out and then you told the whole world…”
Awards and Recognition
- ALA Notable Recording!: 2008 Notable Children’s Recordings
- Amazon’s Best of the Year 2007: Top 10 Editors’ Picks: Middle Readers!
- Washington Post: Best Books for Young People (2007)
- Columbus Dispatch: Recommended Books for 2007
- Richie’s Picks: The Best of 2007
- 2008 Paterson Prize for Books for Young People: Special Recognition
- Indiana Young Reader’s Choice
- South Dakota Young Reader’s Choice
- Virginia Young Reader’s Choice
Reviews
“The narrators’ compelling performances convey the difficulties of surviving middle school, leaving listeners both laughing and at times crying … an ideal choice for audio.” (Booklist)
[About the Listening Library audio] “A fine example of a book made even better by the reading.” (The Horn Book)
“Narration alternates between Kirsten and Walk, with Choldenko doing an impressive job of authentically representing both slightly whiny adolescent white girl and gently defiant black vernacular dialects … hearteningly realistic … refreshingly honest.” (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books)
“Choldenko has a spiky wit, an empathetic eye for kids’ foibles and fears, an ear for their distinctive voices and an impressive range. While it treats issues of race, class and marital discord fearlessly, it’s also one of the funniest they’ll read this year. ” (The Washington Post)
“Absolute middle school novel perfection … Choldenko writes with humor and pathos.” (Sarah Todd, Children’s Book World)
“In this exceptionally engaging contemporary tale that certainly should be taught by sixth and seventh grade English teachers and is sure to become a staple of mother-daughter book groups, Gennifer Choldenko has slipped in a number of especially intriguing plot-twists that actually cause the story to make even more sense than it already did. In several instances I’d picked up just enough clues to feel confident that I knew where the story was heading, but was totally and delightedly surprised to find myself wrong. If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period is Gennifer Choldenko’s best book yet.” (Richie Partington, Richie’s Picks)
“Initially, the book seems to be a conventional school story, but two-thirds of the way through it takes a sudden twist, and all that has happened previously is seen in a new light. Choldenko explores themes of racism and wealth with subtlety and insight (as when the reader realizes just as Walk does that Kirsten is very rich and doesn’t even know it). The structure can be challenging at first, with a large cast of family and friends to sort out, but the funny, thoughtful protagonists, the vivid middle-school setting, and the honest portrayal of the characters, even the adults, make it well worth the effort.” (The Horn Book)
“Choldenko convincingly covers the middle school scene … sparkling characterization and touches of humor … tumultuous twists that ultimately convince Kirsten that, indeed, she does matter.” (School Library Journal)
“Choldenko’s talent for characters and conversation brings the two voices instantly to life in alternating points of view … This will appeal to a wide range of middle-school readers and would make a great book-club or classroom discussion.” (Kirkus Reviews)
“Choldenko’s story — narrated first by Kirsten, then by Walker — is riveting. But it is her characters who really bring this book to life.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
“Choldenko has a talent for pithy dialogue and vivid narration that brings each scene sharply into focus.” (Booklist)
“This story of unforgettable characters and tough issues written with humorous touches will resonate with a wide range of readers who like contemporary stories.” (Kansas City Star)
“Thoughtful and quietly provocative.” (Guardian Unlimited Critics’ choice)
“It may come as a surprise to learn that a book that uses the word “crap” four times in the first paragraph can be thoughtful and rewarding. But Choldenko, the author of the acclaimed Al Capone Does My Shirts, has taken up the favourite young adult theme of teenagers learning to accept who they are, and made something notably witty and observant.” (London Sunday Times Book of the Week)
“This is a very entertaining novel … An excellent story with many juicy twists and turns that will very much appeal to its target early-teens audience.” (Authortrek.com)
“If a Tree Falls at Lunch Break has a wonderfully light touch. It talks about bullying, eating disorders, family break ups, family secrets, racism, snobbery and really just about every other issue that weighs heavily on adolescents. Yet you never feel swamped, or lectured, or depressed by it all, and this is thanks to sharp observation and a very delicate touch. I felt for Kirsten and I felt for Walk, but I never felt hopeless, and I don’t think readers will either. There’s a level of understanding offered in this little book that makes it one to buy rather than simply to borrow.” (thebookbag.co.uk)
“Compelling blend of classroom cruelty, heart-warming humour, cookies and ice cream.” (The Jewish Chronicle)
“Why we like it: Choldenko’s first book since Al Capone Does My Shirts follows Kirsten and Walker, two very different kids who become friends under unusual circumstances.
“It gets kids talking about: Boy/girl friendships, racial differences, gossip, secrets.
Activity to try: Ask kids to write about a rumor or a secret in a film or real life. Then challenge them to write about the same piece of gossip from another person’s perspective. Keep all responses confidential, but as a class, discuss students’ reactions to the activity.” (Instructor Magazine)