Bibliographical information:

Konigsburg, E. L. The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2004.

Brief summary:

Margaret Rose has reluctantly headed off to camp while her parents are in Peru, but is having a truly miserable time. Fortunately, her uncles rescue her. Shortly after arriving at their home, she learns that the elaborate metal and glass towers they have built in their backyard are about to be destroyed. She musters a range of resources to fight their destruction.

Comments:

This is described as a companion to Silent to the Bone, in which a grown-up Margaret plays an important role. It is less dark than Silent to the Bone, though it shows a scary picture about how cruel kids can be in a group (and how complicit adults can be in that cruelty). But there's warmth, humor, and redemption here--and lots of wonderful quirky characters.

Grade/Age level:

Grades 5-8 and up

Cautions:

This is not a book for a kid about to go to sleepaway camp for the first time.

If you like this book, you might also like . . .

Other E. L. Konigsburg, Blue Balliet The Wright 3

--Lisa Gordis

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