A novel for tweens about parental alcoholism
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?
Short Summary: Twelve-year-old Easter Ann Peters’ Operation Cool, a plan to make her seventh grade year awesome, is derailed as Easter copes with her mother’s alcoholism in their tiny lakeside town.
Accolades
- FOREWORD REVIEWS MAGAZINE: 2012 Book of the Year Award in juvenile fiction. “Debut author 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.” – ForeWord magazine (spring 2013)
- SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “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.” -Kefira Phillipe, Nichols Middle School, Evanston, ILα(c) Copyright 2011. School Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.
- BETTY FORD INSTITUTE: “…belongs on the shelf of every school counselor in America.”
- BETTY FORD CENTER: “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, National Director of Children’s Programs, Betty Ford Center
- AUTHOR KAREN DAY: “Readers will fall in love with Easter—capable, honest and upbeat—as she navigates the rough waters of friendship and family drama in this heartfelt, debut novel.” – Karen Day, author of Tall Tales and A Million Miles from Boston
Book Details
Title: Easter Ann Peters’ Operation Cool
Author: Jody Lamb
Genre: Middle-grade fiction
Ages: 8-13
ISBN: 978-0692896334
E-book ISBN: 978-0999201602
Distribution: Ingram Book Company
Amazon: Paperback: $11.95 USD
Also available via IndieBound.org and Barnes & Noble.
A Note from the Author
In writing “Easter Ann Peters’ Operation Cool,” my goal was to offer hope and relatability to children dealing with alcoholism in their lives. As the daughter of an alcoholic, I found a lack of books that address this topic in a way that is both accessible and uplifting for young readers.
Through this novel, I aim to entertain, empower, and support young hearts. The characters and their experiences serve as a reminder that they are not alone. Together, we can shed light on this overlooked issue and foster resilience and hope. Books have the power to heal, educate, and inspire. “Easter Ann Peters’ Operation Cool” seeks to be a trusted companion, offering solace and guidance to young readers navigating the complexities of alcoholism in their families.
Your support is invaluable in reaching those who need it. By purchasing and sharing this book, you give young people a voice and contribute to the conversation about addiction’s impact on families.
Together, let’s ensure every child affected by alcoholism finds comfort, understanding and hope. Thank you for joining me on this important journey. Your support means the world, and I am grateful for the opportunity to touch the lives of young readers in a meaningful way.
