Regarding the Trees

The 3rd book in this lovely series was always one of my favorites growing up.Trees at the middle school need to be trimmed and a new Italian chef is in town and his rivalry with the local chef starts an all-out gender war with people swearing off marriage proposing a wall be built to divide men and women (I am not kidding) and even changing the name of the town. This book shows most clearly what I loved about these books as a child and what I love about them now - they don't shy away from topics like gender that some people would say 12-year-olds couldn't understand. These books take their audience seriously and they do it in a way that still makes everything about them very fun and very charming. super excited to continue on my re-read show more and get to the 4th book! show less

This series by Kate Klise is so much fun! Told entirely through letters, newspaper articles, class assignments, and other written memorabilia, this is a delightful mix of word play, a look at the dynamics between girls and boys, and some educational information about trees (and family trees) thrown in. Recommended for the 5th or 6th grade classroom - comes with lesson ideas!

Principal Walter Russ just wanted a simple proposal to trim the overgrown trees outside Geyser Creek Middle School. So how did he end up with a wedding (rather than a weeding ) proposal from designer Florence Waters? And that's not all . . . Angelo, the new cafeteria chef from Italy, has taken up residence in Mr. N.'s classroom. A sixth-grader has moved into the weeping willow tree behind school. And all the girls in Geyser Creek are boy cotting the boys. As Chef Angelo would Aye-yi-yi .