The Chain Letter [Hardcover]

Julie Schumacher (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Livvie isn’t superstitious like her best friend, Joyce, who thinks everything is bad luck. So Livvie isn’t worried about tearing up the chain letter and throwing it away–until she’s humiliated in gym class, falls down her back stairs, and gets invited to Thanksgiving dinner at Peter Finch’s house. Peter’s dad has crooked teeth, a plastic wonderland in his front yard, and some kind of secret up in his study. There is no way Livvie wants Phil Finch to date her mom.

But it’s hard work keeping their families apart–especially when Livvie is assigned to work on the sixth-grade snow maze project with Peter. Clearly, Joyce was right: breaking the chain was a huge mistake. And the only way to set things straight is to find out who sent the letter in the first place. . . .

Rich in humor and suspense, Julie Schumacher’s absorbing novel is about friendship, choices, and the kind of luck that really matters.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7–Twelve-year-old Livvie begins a cold St. Paul, MN, winter by throwing away a chain letter, having learned from her mother and experience that it can be more trouble than it's worth. Her superstitious friend, Joyce, claims that this act has brought a series of unfortunate events to their lives, including Livvie's classroom humiliations and broken toe, and Joyce's mononucleosis. Continuous, fluid descriptions of slapstick events and interesting issues of family and friendship will keep readers turning the pages as they begin to know and care about this likable protagonist. Lots of attention is given to her days in school and her growing awareness of luck, serendipity, and the power to make important choices. One of Livvie's concerns is the prospect of her mother dating Phil, who is her friend Peter's widowed, "weird" father. Readers will feel chilled to the bone as Livvie and Peter encounter a man who is stalking Phil on a sub-zero evening, and they will appreciate the story's suspense, humor, and many examples of fine prose.–Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

From the Inside Flap

Livvie isn't superstitious like her best friend, Joyce, who thinks everything is bad luck. So Livvie isn't worried about tearing up the chain letter and throwing it away—until she's humiliated in gym class, falls down her back stairs, and gets invited to Thanksgiving dinner at Peter Finch's house.

Clearly, Joyce was right: breaking the chain was a huge mistake. And the only way to set things straight is to find out who sent the letter in the first place. . . .

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (March 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385731698
• ISBN-13: 978-0385731690
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,560,875 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A memorable story full of suspense, danger, and mystery, April 18, 2005

By 

A Customer (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Chain Letter (Hardcover)

Livvie doesn't believe in chain letters like her best friend Joyce. This is a good thing since she throws away a chain letter she receives in the mail.

THE CHAIN LETTER by Julie Schumacher begins with this setup, and trouble soon follows. Livvie's first bit of bad luck doesn't phase her --- but after getting in trouble during choir class, losing her math book, falling down her back stairs, and getting invited to dinner at Peter Finch's house, she decides that maybe she needs to answer the letter.

Livvie lives alone with her mother, Kate McFee. Most of the tension in the story revolves around the fact that Phil Finch, Peter's father, wants to date Livvie's mother. Peter and Livvie are good friends, but that doesn't count for much. Phil Finch is just plain weird, especially to a sixth-grade girl. He has crooked teeth, glues doll heads to the hood of his car, and has plastic decorations all over his front lawn. To make matters worse, he is hiding a terrible secret in his upstairs office.

Young readers will identify with the likable protagonist in this story. Livvie is confronted with real life issues of family and friendship. She learns that good luck is sometimes disguised as bad luck and that you can make your own luck in life.

THE CHAIN LETTER is Julie Schumacher's second novel for young readers. She is also the author of several short stories, two adult books and GRASS ANGEL, her first novel for young readers. Ms. Schumacher has created truly memorable characters in THE CHAIN LETTER. You won't be able to put the book down during the suspenseful climax, which combines danger and mystery.

--- Reviewed by Renee Kirchner ([e-mail])