THE GREAT PEACH EXPERIMENT by Erin Soderberg Downing

1: WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS, MAKE PEACH PIE

2024 Oregon Reader’s Choice Award nominee

2023-2024 Iowa Children’s Choice Award nominee

2024-2024 Iowa Elementary Battle of the Book

2023-2024 Minnesota Maud Hart Lovelace Youth Reading Award nominee

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

“Memories and loss juxtapose with curious slices of American roadside kitsch, adding up to a life-affirming, nostalgic adventure with an uplifting finale. The Great Peach Experiment is a cheering middle grade novel about a family’s madcap project that includes subtle lessons about overcoming grief.” —Foreword Reviews
 
“Many, many mishaps and adventures follow the Peaches through their Midwest foray, each relayed with understated insight, while the adroit characterization of the self-absorbedly neglectful dad is heart-rending. On occasion, the plot twists veer to the delightfully quirky, and the whole tale is filled with both authenticity and originality. . . . Both bittersweet and uplifting; simply sparkles with life.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This coming-of-age novel delves deep into the feelings of all three Peach children and the aftermath of losing such an integral person in the family. . . . A solid purchase for libraries where novels dealing with grief, family, and finding one’s voice are needed.” —School Library Journal

“Readers looking for a pleasing family-themed outing may appreciate the flavor of the Peaches.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
 
“In an enjoyable and accessible middle-grade novel, a grieving family travels the Midwest in a food truck--though they have zero experience--on a journey back to wholeness.” —Shelf Awareness

Rights Sold: Audio

2: THE PEACH PIT

“Told in third-person narration from a different child’s viewpoint in each chapter, the story is deliciously plotted and includes a lovely multigenerational aspect. . . . the story is by turns poignant, humorous, and empowering. . . . Heartwarming, lively, and sprinkled with poignant truths.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A hilarious and heartwarming series of events as the family works to make the request a reality. . . . Freddy's black-and-white drawings, sketches, recipes, and lists of renovation projects . . . add humor and personality. While this is a sequel to When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie, the book stands well on its own. . . . Hand to fans of the Vanderbeekers and other quirky family stories.”—School Library Journal

Rights Sold: Audio