I received an advance copy of The Wig in the Window from the author. No monetary compensation was received and all thoughts and opinions within this post are my own.
With most of the country’s kids already in the middle of summer vacation, it’s officially time for summer reading! I always feel like my kids are the last to get out of school, but the last day of school is right around the corner – Friday! – and we’re making plans for our summer reading program.
I recently received an advance copy of a new book by author Kirsten Kittscher called The Wig in the Window, which is being released on June 18, 2013. My 8 and 10 year old kids were drawn to the cover and title, and we started reading it out loud together right away.
Let’s just say that we’ve had quite a few laughs together over this book.
What I love about The Wig in the Window: The book is intelligently written – it’s written on a child’s level, but doesn’t feel too simplistic or silly. It’s the kind of children’s book that an adult will enjoy reading aloud (no cringing at night when the kids ask you to read them a story!). I love a book that can be appreciated by multiple reading levels!
I also love that the story is gripping enough that it makes my kids want to return to read more the next day.
Warning: If you are a parent who is sensitive about the word “boobs” you’ll want to brace yourself. The main characters, 7th grade best friends Sophie and Grace, make multiple references to the antagonist’s “collosal boobs.” My kids just laughed and moved on, but I did get a few funny looks from my husband who heard the word boobs from the other room.
Book Description:
THE WIG IN THE WINDOW (June 18, Harper Children’s) is the first in a funny new mystery series for kids ages 8 – 12 that will appeal to precocious readers who enjoy humor, clever clues, and fun plot twists!
Best friends and seventh graders Sophie Young and Grace Yang have made a game out of spying on their neighbors. On one of their midnight stakeouts, they witness a terrifying, bloody scene at the home of their bizarre middle-school counselor Dr. Charlotte Agford (also known as Dr. Awkward).
At least, they think they do. The truth is that Dr. Agford was only making her famous pickled beets! But when Dr. Agford begins acting even weirder than usual, Sophie and Grace become convinced that she’s hiding something—and they’re determined to find out what it is.
Soon the girls are breaking secret codes, being followed by a strange blue car, and tailing strangers with unibrows and Texas accents. But as their investigation heats up, Sophie and Grace start to crack under the pressure. But even if they solve the case, will their unlikely friendship survive?
More things I love about The Wig in the Window:
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Author Kristen Kittscher
features savvy, spunky, wise-cracking girl sleuths – including a stereotype-defying Asian-American co-protagonist
- a Hitchcock meets Harriet the Spy set in California that reflects the diversity of the world kids live in today
- a page-turner that combines rollicking humor with daring adventure and fun plot twists
- realistically explores the ups-and-downs of tween friendship
- a wholesome read for precocious young readers who crave high-stakes and sophisticated plots but aren’t ready for the themes and content of books for teens
- Kristen Kittscher is a graduate of Brown University and former 7th grade English teacher who wrote the book with her precocious, funny former students in mind
Check out this hilarious video review by kids:
You can read more about the author, Kirsten Kittscher, and WIG at Amazon, GoodReads, or on her website. Follow Kirsten on twitter: @kkittscher or on Facebook: facebook.com/Kittscher
Note: post includes Amazon affiliate links. If you click, I may earn a dime…
© 2013, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
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