Like many almost-eleven year olds, Zelda Fried wants a dog. That’s the easy way to express it, but it’s more like she aches for a dog. She’s pretty sure that’s never going to happen since her parents firmly believe she’s just not ready for the responsibility. Zelly’s eccentric grandfather, called Ace by everyone he knows, makes things interesting when he offers her a deal that he predicts will change their minds. Erica S. Perl brings this delightful story to life in her new middle grade novel When Life Gives You O.J.
Now that her family has moved from the big city of Brooklyn out to what feels like the absolute countryside in Vermont, it seems as if every single house around her claims at least one dog as a resident. Zelly’s pleas for a dog of their own have gone unfulfilled by her parents, but Ace convinces her that a round with a “practice dog” is the ticket to the real thing. What is a practice dog, you may be asking. Well, take an old orange juice jug, tie a leash to the handle, and voila! Practice dog!
As Zelly begins to care for her practice dog O.J. in all the same ways as a real dog, she is faced with dilemmas regarding friendship and family matters, with embarrassment and worry about how others perceive her at the forefront. Her emotions and challenges are really quite universal, even for kids who’ve never been in her unique position. There’s a tenderness to this story, even though it’s not overtly “emotional” in its telling.
As the parent to an almost-eleven year old myself, I can honestly attest to the authenticity of Zelly’s narrative voice. My son and I read this book together, one or two chapters each evening before bedtime, and there were multiple times when I could imagine the exact words uttered by Zelly coming out of my own son’s mouth, and the ways in which Perl presents Zelly’s state of mind, mannerisms and perspective are incredibly spot on.
I feel compelled to emphasize that regardless of the fact that this book features a female protagonist, it’s an entertaining and enjoyable book for readers of both genders. For my son, after reading the brief description and watching the book trailer, his immediate response was, “Yeah, I want to read that!”
Do you want to know if Zelly ever gets her real dog? We’re happy to have a “juicy” package for giveaway today. One copy of When Life Gives You O.J. and a themed water bottle and backpack could be yours! Please leave a comment here to be entered, U.S. addresses only. We’ll announce our winner on July 13.The giveaway is closed.
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Dawn hopes that reading together will be a key to maintaining a positive relationship with her son as he enters adolescence. When she’s not reading, on her own or with her kids, Dawn’s blogging away at my thoughts exactly.
Great concept! Enter this grandmother in the drawing, please.
Please enter me into the contest. My granddaughter is a voracious reader and would love to win this giveaway.
I would love to win! This book looks adorable 🙂
Fun giveaway ~ please enter me
Please enter me. Looks like a very good book.
Oh, we’d love this one!
Yippie! I wanna enter!
Now, why didn’t I think of that? Oh, yeah, there were no plastic bottles when I was little. How cute.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
would love this for my nephew
nannypanpan at gmail.com
This sounds like my kids begging me for a dog;) Please enter me, thanks!
Looks like an interesting book!
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
I’m looking forward to reading it. It sounds like a great book for middle grade readers (including my 9 y.o. son).
one for my hubby’s classroom library for sure! Thanks!
This sounds like a great book! I love the idea of a practice dog. My son wants a dog so badly, so I’m sure he’d enjoy the story!
I’d have thrown a fit if I got an OJ container in place of a dog!
Count me in – sounds WONDERFUL 🙂
A little “OJ” never hurt anyone. 🙂
My youngest son would love this. I wish I had a dollar for every time he has told me that he wants a dog for his birthday.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net
Great giveaway!
Yes! Dog for my son!
Great package, thank you!
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for offering the giveaway.
We co-read a lot in our family, it does help the reluctant reader get through the story a bit quicker. i think my kiddo’s would enjoy OJ
Melanie
melanieinoh2003 at yahoo dot com
I’d love this for my 4yr old!
unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail (dot) com
Looking forward to reading this one!
mearley1979 at gmail dot com
Congratulations, Megan- you’ll be happy to know that you’ve been randomly selected as our winner. Please email me at morninglightmama (at) gmail (dot) com with your full name and mailing address. Thanks!
looks like a fun book!
My daughter would love this cute book.