Effie Starr Zook Has One More Question

Gr 3–5—While spending the summer with her aunt and uncle in small-town Pennsylvania, inquisitive Effie Starr Zook tries to uncover family secrets. Hailing from New York City, Effie isn't thrilled about having to spend the summer at Zook Farm while her parents fly around the world in a solar airplane. When she meets the Yoder kids and learns they are supposed to stay away from her because of "bad blood" between their families, she wonders what the story is behind that. Then she befriends Mr. Odbody, a bookstore owner and the only black person in town, who seems to know more than he will tell her. Do all these secrets lead back to her great-grandfather, inventor of the barf bag? With skilled writing and a consistently paced plot, this is an accessible and exciting story for a wide range of readers. The mystery is enticing, but the larger focus is on the interconnectedness of people despite differences and the importance of the pursuit of truth. Freeman tackles issues of class, gender, race, and politics in a way that is appropriate for the intended audience and never feels heavy-handed.