Written by Nan Marino
Eleven-year-old superstar Elvis Ruby was the biggest music sensation in the world before he froze on stage at the TweenStar TV show in front of millions of viewers. Now he must hide away from the paparazzi and fans that won’t leave him alone. And the paparazzi have offered to pay $10,000 to anyone who finds him. Elvis’ father, also a famous musician, and his sister take him to Wares Grove, a tiny town in the Pinelands of New Jersey, hoping he can be incognito while he tries to overcome his fears and reconnect with music. Then he meets Cecilia, another eleven-year-old who, “marches on her own rhythm-less drum and doesn’t care about his fame.” (Publisher) With a wonderful cast of loving yet sometimes quirky characters, and a setting that is so visual and tactile you can almost feel the Sugar Sand between your toes, Hiding Out at the Pancake Palace is a fabulous story about what is truly important in life: knowing who you are, valuing and loving your life, your family, and flipping an amazing pancake. You may wish you lived in Wares Grove and could tap your feet to the music. Oh, and there is some fun folklore about the Jersey Devil too!
Review by Renee Larsen, Hillside Elementary Media Center
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 3-6
Author Website: http://nanmarino.blogspot.com
Hiding Out at the Pancake Palace
Written by Nan Marino
Roaring Brook Press
256 pages
Release Date: April 16, 2013
ISBN: 9781596437531 (hardcover)
