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Say What?

Illustrated by James Bernardin

About The Book

Wait, what did you say?
Sukie is worried -- her parents are acting strange. When she runs in the house, her dad asks, "If all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you jump off a bridge too?" When she eats peas with her fingers, Mom yells, "You'll put an eye out with that thing!"
What is going on? She and her older brothers decide to investigate. And what they discover leads to a kids-against-parents war!

About The Author

The Backstage Studio

Margaret Peterson Haddix is the author of many critically and popularly acclaimed YA and middle grade novels, including the Children of Exile series, The Missing series, the Under Their Skin series, and the Shadow Children series. A graduate of Miami University (of Ohio), she worked for several years as a reporter for The Indianapolis News. She also taught at the Danville (Illinois) Area Community College. She lives with her family in Columbus, Ohio. Visit her at HaddixBooks.com.

About The Illustrator

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (October 1, 2005)
  • Length: 96 pages
  • ISBN13: 9780689862564
  • Grades: 1 - 5
  • Ages: 6 - 10

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Raves and Reviews

"This breezy sitcom of a story is an easy read with lightly developed characters, funny situations, and brisk pacing. The large font and energetic black-and-white illustrations will be inviting to readers transitioning to chapter books."

– School Library Journal

"Lighthearted and humorous, this easy chapter book is made all the more appealing by Bernardin's comical black-and-white illustrations."

– Booklist

"The silliness of the surface faffes is undergirded by richer comedy: the grownups trying to parent by the book who are being undone by their savvy kids who have read the same book. While suitible for an early radalone chapter book, this is equally work sharing as a family."

– BCCB

"Humorous situations, familiar parent-speak applied at the funniest times, and a hilarious war of words add up to a pleasant family story for readers who are just ready for chapter books."

– Kirkus Reviews

Awards and Honors

  • Virginia Young Readers List
  • Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee (IN)
  • Kansas NEA Reading Circle List Intermediate Title
  • Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best
  • Great Lakes Great Books Master List (MI)
  • Land of Enchantment RoadRunner Award Nominee (NM)
  • Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award Nominee (OR)
  • KC3 Award Master List Nominee (MO)

Resources and Downloads

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More books from this author: Margaret Peterson Haddix

More books from this illustrator: James Bernardin