Regarding the Fountain

A middle grade epistolary novel that was a hoot and a delight. This came out at exactly the wrong time for me to have any interest in it or even know about (I was seventeen when it was published), but I think I would have absolutely loved it at nine or ten (and probably would have reread it over and over), and I had a wonderful time with it now, at forty-five, for the first time.

I haven't read this bad boys is years, but once I cracked open the first page it all came rushing back! The illustrations, the letters, the punny names, and the town scandal. It all holds up! The story is told through memos, postcards, letters, newspaper clippings, and various other correspondence - it's really unique! Dry Creek Middle School is in need of a new fountain so the principal reaches out to Flowing Waters Fountains to commission a new one - what he didn't bank on was the exuberant nature of the fountain designer - the book chronicles her correspondence not only with the principal but with a 5th grade class as well. They submit ideas for what they want the fountain to look like and in the process get a fun new pen pal. As the show more students research their town's history they also start to uncover some weird things - why did the water disappear 30 years ago on the exact same day that the middle school opened? Why is the water fountain always leaking? Super fun! show less

The Dry Creek Middle School drinking fountain has sprung a leak, so principal Walter Russ dashes off a request to Flowing Waters Fountains, Etc.
...We need a new drinking fountain. Please send a catalog.
Designer Flo Waters responds:
"I'd be delighted...but please understand that all of my fountains are custom-made."
Soon the fountain project takes on a life of its own, one chronicled in letters, postcards, memos, transcripts, and official documents. The school board president is up in arms. So is Dee Eel, of the water-supply company. A scandal is brewing, and Mr. Sam N.'s fifth grade class is turning up a host of hilarious secrets buried deep beneath the fountain.

Still an incredibly cute and fun story. If you've read some of my other reviews you'll know how much I love stories written in letters and email and newspapers and other cool formats so of course I loved these books as a kid and I continue to really enjoy it! In excited to continue on my re read of this series. The mystery in this book unfolds very well even now that I'm older and the characters are just so charming. I still find the writing incredibly clever and fun. This book is written about kids in a 5th grade class and that's about the target age of these books but I still found it to be a fun and incredibly charming read!

The water fountain at Dry Creek Middle School (formerly Spring Creek Middle School) is leaking and Principal Walter Russ is convinced that it needs to be replaced. So Secretary Goldie Fisch writes to Ms. Flo Waters of Flowing Waters Fountains, Etc. requesting a catalog. Instead of a catalog, Goldie receives a letter from Ms. Waters (Flo hates phones!) requesting permission to visit the school so that she can design a one-of-a-kind fountain just for them. First though she needs to know what the students want and that's where Mr. Sam N.'s class comes into the picture. Soon the letters are flying fast and furious and it becomes clear that intrigue is afoot. What happened to make the spring that used to run through Dry Creek dry up? Isn't show more it a strange coincidence that it happened the same year the Middle School was built? What is going on with the mysterious faxes between School Board President Sally Mander and local water company owner D. Eel? Will the school ever get their new fountain? Written in a style different from anything you've read before, Regarding the Fountain is a compilation of letters, faxes, message slips, newspaper articles, and one recorded conversation. You'll have so much fun getting to know the residents of Dry Creek and Flo Waters, that you'll want to read the rest of the series, too! Follow the adventures of Mr. Sam N's class in[b:Regarding the Sink Where, Oh Where, Did Waters Go?|19479|Regarding the Sink Where, Oh Where, Did Waters Go? (Regarding the . . .)|Kate Klise|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1167233574s/19479.jpg|2095122], [b:Regarding the Trees A Splintered Saga Rooted in Secrets|19478|Regarding the Trees A Splintered Saga Rooted in Secrets (Regarding the . . .)|Kate Klise|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1167233541s/19478.jpg|20712], [b:Regarding the Bathrooms A Privy to the Past|23400|Regarding the Bathrooms A Privy to the Past (Regarding the . . .)|Kate Klise|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1167402115s/23400.jpg|24371], and [b:Regarding the Bees A Lesson, in Letters, on Honey, Dating, and Other Sticky Subjects|1246752|Regarding the Bees A Lesson, in Letters, on Honey, Dating, and Other Sticky Subjects (Regarding the . . .)|Kate Klise|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1182226612s/1246752.jpg|1235481].

This was a lot of fun to read and discuss. I am a sucker for puns - maybe because I grew up reading Piers Anthony in junior high - but the kids loved it too! They had so much fun figuring out all the names and what they meant - if I did this again, I think we'd make a list of all the goofy names and what they meant. It was definitely perfect for my 3-5 grade range.

December 2009 Cover 2 Cover selection. show less

The water fountain at Dry Creek Middle School has sprung a leak so principal Walter Russ writes to Flowing Waters Fountains to request a catalog. Florence Waters, the owner, turns out to be an artist who gets her inspiration from her travels and begins corresponding with the 5th grade class nearest the fountain to get their suggestions for the new design. The class' historical research for Dry Creek Days reveals that Sally Mander, school board president, and Dee Eel, of the water supply company are in cahoots, having tapped and diverted the town's natural spring to benefit her public swimming pool and his company. Lots of illustrations, images of memos, message pads, letters and postcards.

SCREAM I'm obsessed this is fully just so. It's funny. And remarkably well-thought out. Also it's 1:30am and I'm going to be on a bus in two hours lol sleep who is she