Laura Ingalls Is Ruining My Life - by Shelley Tougas (Paperback)

About the Book

"Charlotte's mom has just moved the family across the country to live in Walnut Grove, the childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Mom's idea is that the spirit of Laura Ingalls will help her write a bestselling book. But Charlotte knows better: Walnut Grove is just another town where Mom can avoid responsibility. And this place is worse than everywhere else the family has lived: it's freezing in the winter, it's small with nothing to do, and the people talk about Laura Ingalls all the time. Not to mention that something is coming between Charlotte and her twin brother Freddy, but Charlotte can't figure out what"--Back cover.

Book Synopsis

A life on the prairie is not all its cracked up to be for one girl whose mom takes her love of the Little House series just a bit too far in this middle-grade novel about belonging from the author of A Patron Saint for Junior Bridesmaids.

Charlotte's mom has just moved the family across the country to live in Walnut Grove, "childhood home of pioneer author Laura Ingalls Wilder." Mom's idea is that the spirit of Laura Ingalls will help her write a bestselling book. But Charlotte knows better: Walnut Grove is just another town where Mom can avoid responsibility. And this place is worse than everywhere else the family has lived--it's freezing in the winter, it's small with nothing to do, and the people talk about Laura Ingalls all the time. Charlotte's convinced her family will not be able to make a life on the prairie--until the spirit of Laura Ingalls starts getting to her, too.

Praise for Laura Ingalls Is Ruining My Life:

"This sharp and quirky story winningly portrays a girl who, in finding herself, finds family, friends, and a place to belong." --School Library Journal

"The family and friendship dynamics play out believably and compellingly, and the Laura Ingalls connection will draw in fans and enrich the reading experience. Between adroitly interwoven American history and the engaging relationship drama, there is plenty of material here for group discussion and personal contemplation." --BCCB

Review Quotes

"Strong characters and fast plotting propel readers to a sweet, realistic end that provides hope and a sense of stability--at least for the present time. Lovely." --Kirkus Reviews

". . .[T]he narrative itself is solid and appealing as Charlotte's narrow life expands to become more inclusive, and she makes herself at home." --Booklist

About the Author

Shelley Tougas is an award-winning writer of nonfiction for children, including Little Rock Girl 1957, and the author of the novels The Graham Cracker Plot, Finders Keepers, and A Patron Saint for Junior Bridesmaids. She lives in Hudson, Wisconsin.