Most people find their neighbors boring. Neighborhood spies Annie and Natalie-code names Elvis and Olive-know better. As Annie puts it: "Even the most dull-looking people do all kinds of weird, interesting things when they think no one's watching." Clarissa Jackson, for example, plants fake flowers in her garden; Virginia Brooks, a former television actress, eats face cream. Spying, both girls agree, is the most fun they've ever had- until, that is, they inadvertently discover big secrets about each other.
Summary Natalie is anticipating a ho-hum summer until she meets Annie, a bold girl with a big imagination, and the two hatch a plan to spend their vacation spying on their neighbors and collecting secrets about them. At first, Natalie doesn’t know what to make of Annie, who tells her unbelievable stories about everything from her mother’s death to being in a movie. The girls couldn’t be more different: Natalie does what’s expected of her and doesn’t take risks while Annie is outgoing and couldn’t care less about appearances. Still, the two soon become fast friends. Calling each other by their code names, Elvis and Olive, they roam their community peeking into backyards and windows and then sharing their discoveries. However, the fun turns from harmless to hurtful when certain, very personal, secrets are unexpectedly revealed, and Natalie must search her heart for a way to ask for—and grant—forgiveness.
Topics Friendship. Clubs. Spying. Secrets. Privacy. Neighbors and neighborhoods. Interpersonal relationships. Mothers and daughters. Parental abandonment. Imagination. Telling stories. Crushes. Courage. Taking risks. Appreciating differences. Learning from others. Looking beyond appearances. Betraying trust. Telling right from wrong. Honesty. Truth and lies. Dealing with problems. Learning to think for yourself. Wanting to make things right. Accepting life's imperfections. Forgiveness.
SRC Level 4.300000
SRC Points 9.000000
Lexile 690L
Trim Size 5 1/2" x 7 1/2"
Language English
JLG Release Date Jun 2008
Minimum grade 5
Maximum grade 7
Reading level Elementary, Middle
Format Print
Upper Elementary/Middle Plus (Grades 5-7)
Upper Elementary/Middle Plus
Upper Elementary/Middle Plus (Grades 5-7)
For Grades 5-7
A great way to ensure more titles for your middle-grade readers-with 14 additional popular B titles arriving at your door every year.
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