Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream - by Jenny Han (Paperback)

About the Book

Korean American fourth-grader Clara Lee longs to be Little Miss Apple Pie, and when her luck seems suddenly to change for the better, she overcomes her fear of public speaking and enters the competition.

Book Synopsis

Meet Clara Lee.

Likes: her best friends, her grandpa, her little sister (when she's not being annoying, which is almost always), candy necklaces, her fancy Korean dress, and the Apple Blossom Festival.

Dislikes: her little sister (when she's being annoying, which is almost always), her mom's yucky fish soup, and bad dreams (even though Grandpa says they mean good luck).

Clara Lee's luck keeps changing. Will she have good luck again in time to win the Little Miss Apple Pie pageant?

Review Quotes

* "Han...captures an 8-year-old's perspective perfectly...The message shines through but doesn't overwhelm this engaging chapter book that will be welcomed by middle-grade fans of Clementine."--Kirkus (starred review)

* "This is a delightful book that will have readers looking for more adventures featuring Clara Lee and her friends."--Library Media Connection (starred review)

"Clara Lee thinks, speaks, and acts just like the third grader she is in this charming early chapter book. Black-and-white drawings, some full page and some spot art, feature the child, her dilemmas, and her successes. Fans of Clementine will enjoy this endearing character."--School Library Journal

"I love Clara Lee's surprising and dead-on similes and metaphors and her fun play on words! I also love how she's totally ethno-cool and totally American. Way to go, Clara Lee!"--Lenore Look, author of the Ruby Lu and Alvin Ho series

"I really loved Clara Lee. This is a compact little book with a big heart."--Linda Sue Park, Newbery Award-winning author of A Single Shard

"In this marvel of a book, Clara Lee shows us what it means to receive a shot of Good Luck, and at the same time she also learns how to be a better friend, granddaughter, and sister. It all adds up."--Kathi Appelt, Newbery Honor author ofThe Underneath and Keeper

"Readers will delight in this American-as-apple-pie third grader as she follows her BIG DREAM in a string of heartfelt adventures as perfect as an unbroken candy necklace."--Megan McDonald, author of the Judy Moody series

"Sparkly and cheerful...Numerous black-and-white illustrations provide newly independent readers with both plot clues and speedy page turns in this winning chapter book."--The Horn Book

"The funniest interludes are her credible interactions with her younger sister; Clara Lee's memorable descriptions, such as the "limp green bean kind of hug" she gives her grandfather when she's feeling down, will endear her to readers."--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Jenny Han grew up in Richmond, Virginia and went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She moved to NYC for graduate school and received her MFA in Writing for Children at the New School. She is the author of books such as Shug and the New York Times bestselling Summer Series. She currently lives in Brooklyn. Her website is www.dearjennyhan.com.

Julia Kuo grew up in Chatsworth, California. After studying illustration and marketing at Washington University in St. Louis, she started working as a greeting card designer at American Greetings. She currently splits her time between Chicago and Taiwan. Her website is www.juliakuo.com.