The School Story

Andrew Clements's 'The School Story' follows twelve-year-old Natalie Nelson, a talented young writer, and her best friend Zoe Reisman, a budding literary agent. Natalie has penned a compelling novel, 'The Cheater,' but she's determined to have it judged on its own merits, not because her mother is a prominent editor at Shipley Junior Books. The girls embark on an elaborate, humorous scheme, creating a pen name for Natalie and a fake literary agency for Zoe, enlisting their wary English teacher and Zoe's lawyer father for unwitting assistance. This engaging chapter book explores themes of creativity, ambition, friendship, and the complexities of the publishing world, all wrapped in Clements' signature witty and empowering style. It's perfect for readers aged 8-12 who enjoy stories about clever kids making their dreams come true.

After twelve-year-old Natalie writes a wonderful novel, her friend Zoe helps her devise a scheme to get it accepted at the publishing house where Natalie's mother works as an editor.