Becky's Brainstorm (Twelve Candles Club) [Paperback]

Elaine L. Schulte (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Series: Twelve Candles Club

Four Best Friends One Summer = Fun Adventure!

It was Becky Hamilton's twelfth birthday, the last day of school, and her three wacky friends were at the front door of her house singing "Happy birthday"! But instead of joy, tears pressed behind Becky's eyes. Could she keep pretending that everything was okay for one more night? Would her secret ruin her birthday pizza and slumber party?

Becky's emotions had been on a roller coaster from the moment her mother delivered the terrible news: They could no longer afford to live in Southern California and must move away! Away from Tricia, Jess and Cara and the beach and-everything!

But just when she feels the worst about it, Becky has a remarkable brainstorm. She and her three girlfriends could start a club, the Twelve Candles Club, and they could do all sorts of work through the summer months and earn money-and maybe she won't have to move!

What a Wild Idea! Can They Make It Work?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Today, you might find Elaine Schulte at the gym, observing from the sidelines as young gymnasts take their first tumbles on the balance beam. Tomorrow, she might be sitting a few rows from a stage, watching as kids audition for Christian theater.

When you find Schulte, you'll notice she's holding a pen in one hand and a notebook in the other. Whatever kind of book she's writing whether historical fiction, a book for preteens, or an adult novel she feels that research is necessary to create an accurate, relevant story. "I do a lot more research than you'd think," says the author of 27 novels.

Although she focuses mainly on books, Schulte occasionally writes magazine articles. A recent article presents guidelines for choosing children's novels. She believes that "warning Christians about the content of secular novels" is one aspect of her ministry. "So many people think that just because their children are reading a book, it's better than hanging out in the mall or doing drugs, " she says. "But some of the secular novels are so terrible that they're imprinting very bad things in [the readers'] brains."

That's one of the reasons she began writing the "Twelve Candles Club" series for young girls. "My agent called me and said, 'Could you do something like the [secular] 'Baby-sitters Club' series but with a Christian accent?"

At the time, Schulte was enjoying the success of her adult books and wasn't sure she wanted to write children's books. But she decided to give it a try, and the "Twelve Candles Club" series was born. Although the "Twelve Candles" titles deal with issues facing girls, such as blended families and coping with siblings, Schulte is quick to point out they're not "problem" books. "There's a place for problem books. I've written some myself, but the 'Twelve Candles Club' is a series I want girls to enjoy and still be encouraged in their walk with Christ," she says.

size : 5.2 x 7.5

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (June 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556612508
• ISBN-13: 978-1556612503
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,032,877 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is the best Christian series I have ever read!, July 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Becky's Brainstorm (Twelve Candles Club) (Paperback)

This book is about 4 girls who start a club called the Twelve Candles Club.It all starts when Becky has a brainstorm just as she blows the candles out for her twelth birthday.All 4 girls get together and make posters and fliers to advertise that the club would be willing to babysit for other people.Just as the club gets business Beckys mom announces that they will be moving!The girls are desperate!Quickly they come up with a plan,and keep their fingers crossed!

4.0 out of 5 stars Serious thinking not withheld, November 6, 2004

By 

Tom Reynolds (Wuhan, China) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Becky's Brainstorm (Twelve Candles Club) (Paperback)

As the first book in the Twelve Candle's Club Series Becky's Brainstorm does a good job of setting the tone for those that will follow. Becky and her three friends; Tricia, Jess, and Cara; form an odd jobs club during summer vacation. Becky is desperate to earn enough money prevent her family from having to move to another state. Many hilarious hi-jinks follow and lead to a perfect conclusion.

Schulte's theology is evident throughout the book as Becky is led to seek and trust in God for her future. Clearly aimed at 8-12 year old Evangelical girls this book succeeds at blending life and spirituality without becoming too preachy. The English level is excellent and obviously the author knows what she is doing in writing serial novels for this genre.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this is the first great book in a great series, December 31, 2000

By 

"lildaisy" (indiana, pa United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Becky's Brainstorm (Twelve Candles Club) (Paperback)

the first time i read this book i was becky's age. i understood where she was coming from and loved every minute i spent reading it. it hung onto every word and refused to put the book down. it taught me that when i wanted something, i needed to help make it happen, but it all took prayer.