Gnomes and Sneezes

Zoey and Sassafras #10

by Asia Citro, Marion Lindsay (illustrator)

When Sophie shows Zoey a special hidden room in her new house, Zoey thinks things can’t get any more exciting. But then Zoey hears something Sophie can’t … could it mean a new magical creature? Soon Zoey learns about a mysterious illness, but she just can’t seem to cure it. Will Zoey and Sassafras be able to help their new friends in time?

Genres: Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Middle Grade, Cultural, Cats, Chapter Books

96 pages, Hardcover

Published October 8, 2024

Reviews

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Zoe is pet sitting for her friend Sophie at Sophie's new house, Zoe discovers a group of gnomes living in upstairs. The gnomes are all sniffly and sneezy like Zoe had been with a cold a few weeks ago. She encourages them that they should feel better soon, but when their symptoms drag on for weeks Zoe has to figure out if there might be another cause for their misery.

Zoe models figuring out what might be causing allergies very well. I could see this being an eye-opening and health-helping read for some kids who may realize they have allergies too. Or help those with allergies feel seen. Another cute scientific mystery/adventure with fantastical creatures for Zoey and Sassafras.

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: None
Ethnic diversity: Zoey and her parents are Black. Sophie is white. The gnomes have a variety of skin tones in the cover illustration.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: Someone has to give up a pet because of allergies, but the pet is given a good new home. There are cute spiders in the story, which some readers may want to avoid.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zoey is in charge of feeding Sophie's cats while Sophie is away on vacation. When Sophie shows Zoey a secret hidden room that her dad calls the Gnome Nook in her new house, Zoey swears she hears some noises from somewhere inside that room. Zoey can hear magical creatures when other normal people can't. Is she hearing one here? When Zoey comes back to Sophie's house, she discovers that the noises she heard were little sneezes from a whole bunch of gnomes living in Sophie's attic! Sadly though, all the gnomes are sick and can't stop sneezing. Will Zoey be able to help them get better?

This tenth book in this Zoey series did not disappoint. I enjoyed the magic of the Gnome Nook/makerspace (every kid would love to have one in their house!) and the scientific manner in which Zoey charts her observations to find a solution for her new gnome friends. Allergies are also so common that it's a good example of how kids can run through a process of elimination to rule out any allergies they may have.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this, I was so happy that there was another Zoey and Sassafras. I only gave it 4 stars because my daughter finished all the other books in this series in one day, but didn’t seem that interested in this one (as evidenced by the fact it took 2 months to finally finish it). She did however like the graph of how the gnomes were feeling and made one for herself when she had a cold!

[Leigh Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed how Zoey because friends with the gnomes and was invested in helping them in this one. She used natural solutions to solve the sicknesses although they did mention vaccines in the beginning when Zoey was sick. There wasn’t a ton of science in this one like the majority of the other series just a graph and some classic trial and error.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zoey and Sassafras need to figure out why the house gnomes at her friend's new home are all sick. She creates experiments and figures out how to cure them. This series challenges readers to think like scientists to heal the magical creatures who come for help. Each book can be read as a stand alone but it helps to read the series from the start.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. I think they should write another one. My favorite book of the series, and the funniest, is Zoey and Sassafras and Monsters and Mold.

[Chelsi Spooner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this series!

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are 10 for 10 on Zoey and Sassafras! We loved this one at 9.5 years old just as much as all of the ones we have been reading for the last 5 years! This one was unique and kept us guessing!

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this one more than the last few!

[Jenna McNicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book, my 4 year old loved this series! One of our favorites for sure.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook. Any book with spiders in it is out for a chance at 5 stars. However, I think the author did a good job making them less creepy. I learned about germs and allergies. Love this series.

[Efox · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love this series! I was really excited to see there were more books coming and pre-ordered this one as soon as I found out it was coming. Really enjoyed Zoey's adventures in house sitting at Sophie's and discovering a whole bunch of sick gnomes! Like the last book this one was a bit lighter on Zoey's science journal and there were no experiments, but I did love the good explanations of germs versus allergies (will be sending this one to my friend whose MIL is always saying everything is allergies).

[SKP · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a retired children’s librarian & shortly before I retired, I discovered this absolutely awesome series. I’ve continued to read them since I retired because they are so well-written. Zoey is a very strong, intelligent & scientific girl, who also happens to be Black. She is one of the best characters I’ve seen in chapter books. The series was a hit with several children to whom I recommended it. I hope they are still reading them!

[Meredith Cohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

Good for 7-10 year olds who are into magic. There are Interesting and magical animals. The book is great. My 7 year old loved it.