a novel for tweens
Meet Easter Ann Peters
Easter Ann Peters’ Operation Cool is a middle-grade novel that captures both the heartache and hope of growing up with an alcoholic parent—told through the brave, hilarious, and totally relatable voice of a tween girl. This powerful and compassionate story belongs on every list of books for children about addiction and alcoholism. Perfect for readers ages 8 to 13, it follows 12-year-old Easter Ann Peters as she navigates friendship, identity, and the painful reality of a parent’s drinking. With humor, heart, and hope, this book gently helps kids understand what addiction looks like at home—and, most importantly, reminds them they are not alone.
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What’s Easter Ann Peters’ Operation Cool about?
Twelve-year-old Easter Ann Peters has a plan to make seventh grade awesome: Operation Cool. She’s determined to erase years of being known as the quiet, straight-A student who can’t think of a decent comeback to a bully she calls Horse Girl. When the confident new girl, Wreni, becomes her long-needed best friend, Easter lets her personality shine. The coolest guy in school takes a sudden interest. But as tough times at school fade away, so does a happy life at home. Mom is drinking, and Easter works double-overtime to keep their secret in the tiny lakeside town. Operation Cool derails. Fast. Can Easter discover the solution in time? Or will seventh grade be her worst year yet?
Funny, moving, and full of heart, this book gently opens conversations about addiction, family struggles, friendship, and finding the courage to be yourself.
For Ages: 8–13
Genre: Middle-grade fiction
Awards & Professional Recognition
Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Award
“Jody Lamb nails the seventh-grade mentality in her funny, loving ode to an outcast. Cliques, clothing, and other everyday discomforts form the backdrop for her irresistible heroine’s larger trouble: an alcoholic mother. Enter a stunning new best friend and, with her, Easter’s newfound confidence to just be herself.”
Betty Ford Center: Recommended
“A sensitive look at how alcoholism affects the entire family, especially the children. A message of hope and the possibility of healing makes this a very powerful read.”
– Jerry Moe, Director, Children’s Programs, Betty Ford Center
Betty Ford Institute: Recommended
“[Easter Ann Peters’ Operation Cool] belongs on the shelf of every school counselor in America.”
School Library Journal: Recommended
“The protagonist’s struggles are well drawn and feel real…This is a solid choice for its realistic portrayal of middle school and a child’s struggle with an alcoholic parent.”
easter ann peters’ operation cool
What Kids Will Learn
They’re not alone.
This isn’t just another middle-grade book. Easter’s story helps kids understand that family struggles, such as a parent’s drinking, happen to others, too. They’ll see it’s okay to talk about it and ask for help.
What addiction really is.
Through gentle, age-appropriate storytelling, kids get a clear picture of what alcoholism is and how it can affect a family – without shame or judgment.
Being yourself is the coolest thing you can be.
With humor and heart, the book shows that real friendship, honesty, and courage matter way more than fitting in.
What People Are Saying
“You will laugh not only at the antics of normal everyday kids, but things like a cat that thinks it’s a dog and a granny that does
burn-outs in the school parking lot. Easter also has a mother that drinks too much and a dad that spends most of his time at work. I love this book because it’s fun, sad and educational…tackles the serious problem of alcohol abuse, make us smile, has us reach for a tissue, and find ourselves cheering, all within the covers of a little book.”
Sarah W.
“This book was perfect for my 12-year-old daughter, as well as for me. I was in search of a book that could explain alcoholism better than I could. We both read it separately and talked about it. It was quite relatable. I really liked how this book addressed that children don’t have to take it on by themselves, cover up the alcoholics drinking, or live with the guilt of keeping secrets, and it’s ok to tell someone….The goofy main character, Easter, adds humor to the story that really keeps the book light!”
Lindsay E.
Behind the Story
I wrote Easter Ann Peters’ Operation Cool for the kids who feel like they have to pretend everything is okay. I was one of those kids. I remember the ache of growing up with a parent who struggled with alcoholism and the confusing silence that surrounded it. Books were my escape. But none of them reflected what I was going through. So I created Easter—a girl who’s smart, strong and navigating a whole lot more than meets the eye. Thank you for your help getting it into the hands of kids who need Easter’s story to know they’re not alone.
Ready to Meet Easter Ann?
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