Blue Ribbon Blues (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))

Spinelli, Jerry

ISBN 10: 0679987533 ISBN 13: 9780679987536

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers, 2006

Synopsis

Ever since her family moved to Aunt Sally's farm, Tooter's known that farm life is definitely not for her. There's no pizzeria  for miles, her nearest neighbor is a dumb boy, and even her own pet chicken hates her! So Tooter decides to show everyone what she's made of by winning the blue ribbon at the County Fair's goat show. Now all she has to do is keep her little brother--and his paint brush--away from her prize goat! "Tooter is a real-life, plucky, resourceful heroine."-- The Horn Book

About this title

About the Author:

Jerry Spinelli won the Newbery Medal in 1991 for Maniac Magee, the sixth of his more than 15 acclaimed books for young readers.
Jerry is known for his entertaining and funny books for children and young adults.  He grew up in Norristown, PA.  At one time, he dreamed of becoming a major league baseball player.  All of this changed when his poem about a football game was published at age 16 in the local newspaper.  From then on, he wanted to become a writer.
After college, Jerry became an editor for a magazine about engineering.  For many years, during his lunch hour, he wrote books for adults.  None of them were published.
Jerrys first book for children was published when he was 41 years  old.  He now lives in Phoenixville, PA with his wife, Eileen Spinelli, who is also an author of children's books.  They have six children -- five from Eileen before they married, and one of their own.
Jerry's latest novel Crash came out of his desire to include the beloved Penn Relays of his home state of Pennsylvania in a book.  And, of course, to show the world a little bit of what jocks are made of.  

From School Library Journal:

Grade 3-4AIn this sequel to Tooter Pepperday (Random, 1995), the girl's Aunt Sally tries to help her adjust to living on a farm by encouraging her niece to show a goat at the county fair. Initially reluctant, she eventually throws herself into preparations for showing her goat, Pepperoni. Her hopes are dashed when her little brother paints blue strips on the animal, spoiling her chances to participate. While attempting to sabotage her competition, Tooter becomes a heroine by chasing off a coyote, thus cementing her friendship with the boy next door. The themes of competition, friendship, and adjustment to a new environment are well integrated into the story. The writing is light, fast-paced, and humorous. Black-and-white, full- and half-page drawings break up the text. A pleasant addition to the paperback rack.ALisa Smith, Lindenhurst Memorial Library, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0679987533
• ISBN 13: 9780679987536
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 80
• Illustrator: Nelson Donna Kae