Surviving the Applewhites - by Stephanie S Tolan (Paperback)

About the Book

Rumor has it that Jake Semple burned down his old school. Only one place will take him now--a home school run by the Applewhites, a chaotic family of artists. Jake thinks surviving this one will be a breeze. But is he really as tough or as bad as he seems?

Book Synopsis

The side-splittingly funny Newbery Honor Book about a rebellious boy who is sent to a home-schooling program run by one family--the creative, kooky, loud, and loving Applewhites!

Jake Semple is notorious. Rumor has it he managed to get kicked out of every school in Rhode Island, and actually burned the last one down to the ground.

Only one place will take him now, and that's a home school run by the Applewhites, a chaotic and hilarious family of artists: poet Lucille, theater director Randolph, dancer Cordelia, and dreamy Destiny. The only one who doesn't fit the Applewhite mold is E.D.--a smart, sensible girl who immediately clashes with the defiant Jake.

Jake thinks surviving this new school will be a breeze . . . but is he really as tough or as bad as he seems?

From the Back Cover

Will anyone take on Jake Semple?

Jake Semple is notorious. Rumor has it he burned down his old school and got kicked out of every school in his home state.

Only one place will take him now, and that's a home school run by the Applewhites, a chaotic and hilarious family of artists. The only one who doesn't fit the Applewhite mold is E.D.--a smart, sensible girl who immediately clashes with the unruly Jake.

Jake thinks surviving this one will be a breeze . . . but is he really as tough or as bad as he seems?

Review Quotes

"Tolan has pulled off something special here." - --Booklist (starred review)
"An engaging, satisfying, and entertaining romp." - KLIATT
"This has terrific booktalk and read-aloud potential, and will help fill the need for humorous contemporary fiction." - --School Library Journal (starred review)
"Humor abounds in the ever-building chaos." - Publishers Weekly
"Reminiscent of the loud, loving, eccentric family in Kaufman and Hart's You Can't Take It With You, the Applewhites are brilliantly talented and wildly adverse to mainstream mentality." - Kirkus Reviews