Written by Lesley M. M. Blume
I absolutely loved this charming, funny, heartwarming story. Alice (10) hasn’t been the same since her mother died (death happens before book starts). Her strict governess is sucking all the joy out of life and learning, so her father decides to send Alice to stay with his friends in France for the summer. The family she stays with is a real family from the early 1900s. The governess is appalled at the wild children when they arrive and is ready to drag Alice back to New York, but her father telegrams to leave Alice there alone. She has a marvelous time with this eccentric and imaginative family. The family is wealthy and well connected and their visitors are famous. From Pablo Picasso to the Fitzgeralds, each comes and teaches the children their art as well as life lessons. This would be a lovely introduction to the early 1900s. It is fun, quirky, and has an old-fashioned feel – for anyone who loves The Penderwicks, Anne of Green Gables, etc.
My only hesitation is I think it will have a somewhat narrow appeal to students. The main character is 10 years old but it will take a strong reader to get through this. It is written in a way that I don’t think students need background information on the time period and historical figures, but certainly adults with familiarity with them will find humor in some of the situations. It could work as a read aloud. The back of the book does have a short life sketch of each of the real people in the book.
Reviewed by Megan Buhler, Librarian, Calvin Smith Elementary
Review shared in January 2024
Rating: ★★★★✩ (4 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 3-5
Alice Atherton’s Grand Tour
Written by Lesley M. M. Blume
Alfred A. Knopf
193 pages
Release Date: October 10, 2023
ISBN: 9780553536812
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
