The Sisters Club [Paperback]

Megan McDonald (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 8, 2008 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Sisters Club

From the author of the Judy Moody books, this exciting novel captures the warmth, humor — and squabbles — of three spunky sisters.

Meet the Sisters Club: twelve-year-old Alex, aspiring actress and born drama queen; eight-year-old Joey, homework lover and pioneer wannabe; and smack in the middle, ten-year-old Stevie, the glue that holds them together — through dinner disasters, disputes over stolen lucky sweaters, and Alex’s going gaga over her leading man. Playfully weaving Stevie’s narration with Alex’s scripts, Joey’s notebook entries, and hilarious elements such as "How to Swear in Shakespeare" and "Dear Sock Monkey" letters, this hugely engaging novel showcases Megan McDonald’s ear for dialogue, comic timing, and insight into the ever-changing dynamics of sisterhood.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-The Sisters Club consists of three girls, ages 8, 10, and 12, whose family is heavily involved in local theater. The Club dissolves and reunites through episodes of family life over four "acts" (in place of chapters) and an intermission. The narrative is carried by Stevie, the middle sister, in conventional type, but the other two siblings contribute through interesting graphic formats. Alex, the eldest, writes plays about their family, and Joey, the youngest, offers handwritten, illustrated journal entries on lined paper. These short entries, along with small pages, plenty of white space, and painted toenails on the hot pink cover, should appeal to most girls. The packaging will probably be enough to make up for details that don't always ring true, such as an 8-year-old saving for a cornhusk doll kit or a 12-year-old inviting her crush to a family dinner when she is just getting to know him.
Laurie von Mehren, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OH
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-7. The three Reel sisters, ages 8 to almost 13, have acting in their blood. More than 100 years ago, their great-great-grandmother built the house in which they live and founded the Raven Theater next door. Their parents are actors, so it's no wonder that life in the Reel household pivots around auditions, rehearsals, set construction, and performances. Even the girls' daily interactions with one another are theatrical, thanks to author McDonald's flair for quick repartee and her skill at transforming preadolescent high jinks into hilarious episodes. McDonald even pokes fun at Shakespeare as this eclectically composed novel unfolds through middle-sister Stevie's narration, the journal entries of Joey, the youngest sister, and the light dramatic scenes scripted by Alex, the oldest. Some reflection on the impact of theater on audiences as well as on actors, examples of the girls' testing their self-reliance to help out in a two-working-parent household, and lots of genuine family affection surfaces among the flooding floors, disastrous dinners, and entertaining meetings of the Sisters Club. Ellen Mandel
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (April 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763632511
• ISBN-13: 978-0763632519
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.5 x 7.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,107 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

10 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME

10. The first book I ever wrote was about a hermit crab, inspired by a pet I once owned.

9. My favorite color is purple.

8. I love to read mysteries. When I was Judy's age, I read all 56 classic Nancy Drew books . . . in order! Jeepers!

7. I used to collect scabs so I could examine them under the microscope that I got for my 8th birthday.

6. My four sisters and I often made up our own language, which included the words "Hoidi Boidi", "oogey", "retzel crummypuss" and "poony-poony".

5. My favorite TV show is JEOPARDY!

4. To research my Sisters Club book, THE RULE OF THREE, I toured San Francisco in search of the ultimate cupcake. The winner: Sleepless in San Francisco. Think chocolate + coffee.

3. When I was a kid, I fell down a hill from chasing the ice-cream truck and had to get stitches.

2. When I was a librarian, I used to tell stories in sign language. That's how I got the expression "same-same" for Judy.

1. I share a birthday (February 28) with a famous princess, race car driver and gangster, a Rolling Stone, a French tightrope walker, and a winning racehorse named Smarty Jones.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very enjoyable book, November 11, 2004

By 

Zoe (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sisters Club (Hardcover)

This book is really good. It is about a trio of sisters who have their own club. There's the oldest sister, Alex, who is dramatic and lovestruck. She is into fashion and glitter and just about everything that older girls crave. The middle sister, Stevie, is the glue of the family and is very simple. The youngest sister, Joey, is cute and playful and loves pioneers. This was a funny page turner. I found myself loving Joey and her hobbies, but all girls are fairly hilarious is their own way. If you're a girl age 7-13, you will love this interesting book about fondue, marshmallows in between toes, and sock monkeys as you share the giggles of Alex, Stevie, and Joey.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I L-O-V-E IT!!!!!, April 25, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Sisters Club (Hardcover)

If I could rate this item more than 5 stars, I'd jump at the chance! This book is so enjoyable, and I couldn't stop laughing! It's perfect for girls in the age range from 7-12. The Reel family's into acting, which I'm also a big fan of. When I bought this at the bookstore, I zipped right through it - and turned around and started right over! I liked how it switched from each of the sisters' points of view, too. I hope Megan McDonald writes up THE SISTERS CLUB #2. If so, I'll be first in line to read it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sisterly good book, November 30, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Sisters Club (Hardcover)

The best book I have read is The Sister Club, by Megan McDonald. The main characters in this story are Joey, Stevie and Alex Reel. They live right next door to a theater and their family is really into acting. Their mother is even on a cooking show called Fondue Sue. These 3 sisters are pretty close in age, Joey being 8, Stevie being 10 and Alex being 12. They all have boy names because their mom was sure they would all be boys.
The story takes place in Acton, Oregon. I think that is funny that they choose to live there, since the family acts and the city's name sound like act.
The story is like a big diary. Stories about boys, Jell-o
(Joey's favorite food) and pioneers. I love all the wacky things they do, like putting marshmallows between their toes. All the girls have input in the story, so that makes it even better!
The theme of the story is the family's different perspective of things that happen. It teaches you that sisters may not always get along, but they still love each other.
I really like this story because of how real the author makes it seem. It makes you feel like you are there, reading over their shoulder while they're writing it.