The Lemonade War

Siblings Evan and Jessie turn a lemonade stand into a full-scale business battle, learning about entrepreneurship, the complexities of sibling relationships, and ultimately, the value of reconciliation. The narrative provides a realistic look at competition and cooperation within a family setting. This book taught me that family bonds can withstand even the fiercest of rivalries.

Fourth-grader Evan Treski is people-smart. He’s good at talking with people, even grownups. His younger sister, Jessie, on the other hand, is math-smart, but not especially good with people. So when the siblings’ lemonade stand war begins, there really is no telling who will win—or even if their fight will ever end. Brimming with savvy marketing tips for making money at any business, definitions of business terms, charts, diagrams, and even math problems, this fresh, funny, emotionally charged novel subtly explores how arguments can escalate beyond anyone’s intent.

My son and I read this together, a few chapters each night before bed. It's one he's been reading in class, but he apparently was enjoying it so much that he wanted to go at his own pace at home. (We finished it ahead of his class.)
This is a great story that has to do not only with sibling rivalry, but also with how siblings will look out for each other and support one another. It was sweet and touching, hilarious in parts, and there were parts that made us want to side with one sibling or the other, depending on the situation. Very well written!

This book will not only be loved by your students as you read it to them, but they will rush to the library to check it out so they can read it again. This book has fabulous characters that are so much like kids today that the students will fall in love with them, as they can relate to their attitudes, family life, relationships, and struggles. Students will laugh and smile throughout this wonderfully written book! Jacqueline Davies takes us on relationship journeys as two siblings battle it out for who can make the most money selling lemonade by the end of summer. Will it be Evan who is street smart and people savvy, or will it be Jesse, who struggles with making connections with others, yet is wise beyond her years when it comes to show more business and math. This is a must read and one that your students will never want you to put down. show less

This was a fun book on a couple of levels. Evan is heading into fourth grade and just at the end of the year a letter comes to say that his younger sister Jesse will be skipping third grade and they will be in the same class in September. The siblings have very different feelings about this situation and it's the exploration of these feelings and the way each kid perceives the actions of the other that give this book it's substance.

Evan sets off to set up a lemonade stand and doesn't include Jesse. In an effort to win back his favor she too sets up a lemonade stand, but with a girl from 'their' class. A battle of wits and marketing strategies ensue as each try to be the first to make $100.

I found it engaging, thoughtful, practical, show more clever, and very readable for 2nd and up. show less

I enjoyed this kids book. I really liked the definition's at the beginning of each chapter and I liked how the author showed how the kids figured out the math. I didn't love how awful the siblings were to each other and some of the things they did really crossed a line. I think there were some good lessons to be learned about communicating and being honest with each other so there aren't misunderstandings. There are also great business lessons if you want to open a lemonade stand!
Overall it was a quick read.

The setting of this book, somewhere in Massachusetts, reminded me so much of my own childhood. The author, approximately my age, seems to be writing about her own childhood, so all the more in the way of familiarity for me! I loved that what could be a very simple story of sibling rivalry and selling lemonade during the hot summer is made more complex by showing how individuals have different strengths and weaknesses that make them unique. Jessie is academically smart, math-smart in particular, but she misses the boat with subtleties of personal relationships. Brother Evan struggles in school, but understands people.

Curricular connections: Students will be able to make connections to the math concepts posed in the book. I for one show more learned the definition and formula for "profit margin," a term I have certainly used, but never actually knew how to calculate! Also, the idea that people can be "smart" in different ways is one worth exploration by students. show less