Lola Zola and the Lemonade Crush [Paperback]

Marcy Winograd (Author), Jackie Hirtz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 28, 2012 | Age Range: 9 and up

Eleven-year-old Lola Zola panics when her parents announce, “We were laid-off.” “Fired?” “Not fired, Lola, laid-off—from the auto plant.” Either way, it’s bad news. How will Lola rescue her parents and tail-less cat Bowzer from the jobless blues? Then the idea of all ideas hits her square in the noggin like a lemon seed spit at one hundred miles per hour: a lemonade stand! Lola goes to work with the squirt and slurp assistance of her best friend, freckle-counting Melanie Papadakis. When Lola’s class rival—Charles Wembly III aka, Slime Bucket—hears what the twister sisters are up to, he opens his own limo-nade stand out of the back of his father’s limousine—right across the street from Lola. It’s bad enough Lola’s mother might go to work for Slime Bucket’s father—Mr. Stinky Breath. Now, Buck is stealing her customers with an aggressive ad campaign. A serious game of one-upsmanship, “corporate” chicanery, and worker rebellion ensues—turning the town of Mirage upside down and sideways. One exaggerated claim leads to another until word spreads that Lola’s lemonade has secret powers. Can it really erase wrinkles, cure allergies, and promote world peace? Intrigue and spy organizations run amok until closely kept secrets are revealed and Lola must decide what it means to win. Just when Lola is about to declare victory, she discovers Buck isn’t the enemy after all, and may even be a friend—if not a crush! Is this possible? Let’s just say anything can happen in a desert town called Mirage.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A broadcaster-turned-teacher, Marcy Winograd has taught English for fifteen years in California's public schools, where she engages students in writing their own television scripts, hosting poetry cafes, and organizing debates. Prior to teaching, Marcy worked as an award-winning radio journalist for National Public Radio and Pacifica Network affiliates. She lives with her husband Ira "Buddy" Gottlieb in Santa Monica. Jackie Hirtz, MS Ed., a former elementary school teacher, is a writer and writing coach. Jackie's credits include Disney, The Los Angeles Times, Canter & Associates, and the Brentwood Media Group. Together, she and Marcy wrote for children's television, including Nickelodeon's animated series "Doug." Jackie is training her puppy to become a registered therapy dog as well as a Reading Education Assistance Dog (R.E.A.D. ™)

Product Details

• Age Range: 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (July 28, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1469958376
• ISBN-13: 978-1469958378
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,022,621 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Lola Zola and the Lemonade Crush August 6, 2012

By Marcy J. Toschi

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

As a teacher of 35 years, working mostly with early adolescents, and with a love of tween literature, I strongly recommend "Lola Zola and the Lemonade Crush" for girls and boys ages 8-12. Entering into the world of Lola and her parents, friends, and pet cat, I had no idea I would fall in love with this book. Lola is a real champ of the 21st century, but she could have lived at anytime young girls were building tents in their backyards, rallying and supporting their parents, or going through all the trials and tribulations of coming of age. I found myself cheering Lola on as well as her cohorts, and can't wait to see what she does in the next adventure of Lola Zola. I wish I would have had this book many years ago as I read aloud each year to my 4th through 7th graders. This would have gone on my special shelf of "must read and read aloud" classics. I loved Lola Zola!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dawn from L.A. August 7, 2012

By Dawn from L.A.

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Lola Zola is the kind of kid I admire and her story is a great read that made me laugh throughout. I sent the book off to my ten year old niece because she's a bit like Lola - extroverted and smart - and I know she'll enjoy this fun, yet poignant novel. I like that Lola is strong willed, yet kind, and that when she decides to help her family during the down economy she markets her elixir in unlikely places. Of course all the challenges Lola and her best friend Melanie must overcome is what makes the story most interesting, but I don't want to give anything away -- certainly not the secret recipe. I could visualize the cactus town of Mirage and all its quirky characters, including Buck, the boy from the other side of the tracks, and Ruby Rhubarb, the town matriarch who loves Lola, as much as we do. A perfect gift for girls 8-12.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet and Tart August 21, 2012

By Leora Krygier

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Lola Zola is a spit-fire of a girl, her tongue as sweet and tart as the lemonade she peddles to help support her family. She's a hilarious eleven-year-old who thanks the "Smooch God" for keeping her eccentric parents together, and waits for the "Rump God" to make her cat's tail grow back.

I fell in love with Lola Zola from page one of this heartfelt, funny novel. (Yes, I confess, I love middle grade novels too) Lola's quest resonates with the thousands of children who, along with their parents, are facing today's hard economic times, layoffs, and downsizing. But more than that, like lemons, sugar and water, combines the universal themes of identity, how we measure success and the roller coaster of relationships.

This remarkable novel and its sharp -witted writing is a must-have addition to any tween's library.