The Girl Who Changed the World [Hardcover]

Delia Ephron (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

"Violet Sparks, nearly 11, reaches her limit when her brother, Simon . . . smashes a fly on her head while she is performing at her piano recital. She proceeds to organize the younger siblings in her neighborhood into an army that demands retribution and change. . . . Ephron's novel is not only a very funny story, but could also be a great discussion-starter about relationships, families, and power." -- School Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The brand of ludicrousness found in this slight volume will especially appeal to disgruntled youngsters who have endured any form of torture from older siblings. For Violet Sparks, the last straw comes during a piano recital when older brother Simon squashes a "humongous, hairy" fly on her head. After carefully plotting revenge tactics, Violet gathers cohorts Melissa (repeatedly demeaned by sister Suzette), Artie (overshadowed by his music-prodigy brother) and six-year-old Davy, whose ego has been slowly deflated by prissy Margaret. Together the band of "youngers" (which includes a few harassed pets) carries out a scheme that inevitably puts the "olders" in their place. It is only at the final moment before victory, when Violet and her troop have a chance to do in her brother, that the pint-sized avenger has a change of heart. Not to be taken too seriously, with its cartoonish characterizations and slightly morbid slapstick humor, this spoof offers lots of yuks but is not likely to be read twice. Ages 8-11.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-This book gives new meaning to the term "sibling rivalry." The story will delight younger brothers and sisters who have spent their lives at the mercy of "the olders." Violet Sparks, nearly 11, reaches her limit when her brother, Simon, after teasing her, reading her diary, writing in it, and insulting her, smashes a fat fly on her head while she is performing at her piano recital. She proceeds to organize the younger siblings in her neighborhood into an army that demands retribution and change. "The youngers" are determined to win apologies with their wits, not with weapons. Their parents are portrayed as being unaware of their children's problems. Ephron captures well the snappy dialogue and concerns of preadolescents. The plot moves quickly and surely towards the conclusion's twist-Violet realizes that she really does love Simon, and that her feelings are reciprocated. The friendship of all the siblings at the end signals the youngers' victory in changing the world. Wouldn't it be wonderful if this weren't a fantasy? Ephron's novel is not only a very funny story, but could also be a great discussion-starter about relationships, families, and power.
Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 148 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (October 15, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395661390
• ISBN-13: 978-0395661390
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,522,950 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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