Peachaloo in Bloom

by Chris Raschka

Waiting for Guffman meets Parks and Recreation for middle grade readers, in this one-of-a-kind illustrated novel from Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka, where a wasp sting grants Peachaloo a useful new superpower.

Two very large things have just happened to Peachaloo Piccolozampa. First, she’s discovered a plot to ruin her favorite swimming hole and replace it with a golf course. Second, a wasp sting has given her the superpower to understand the truth behind what people say.

Peachaloo knows a golf course is not the destiny for the grounds of the Ajax Mansion, a former monastery whose jump-roping denizens proclaimed it freely open to all. But the mansion’s new owner has other ideas—and has managed to bury the evidence of the Brothers and Sisters’ wishes. Now it’s up to Peachaloo to use her superpower to prove this villain a liar, star in the annual pageant, and somehow get her town back the way it's supposed to be.

Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka proves as deft with pen as paintbrush in this sizzlingly witty tale of Extraordinary Wasp Perception, oyster-slinging bank robbers, and a community standing strong against the forces of greed and real estate. Illustrations sprinkled throughout paint a small town entirely unique and yet all too familiar to readers across the U.S. Readers of all ages won’t want to miss the next train to the big-hearted, peculiar, one-of-a-kind town of Fourwords.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens

304 pages, Hardcover

Published July 1, 2025

About the author

Chris Raschka is the illustrator of The Hello, Goodbye Window, which was awarded the Caldecott Medal. He is also the illustrator of the Caldecott Honor Book Yo! Yes?; Charlie Parker Played Be Bop; Mysterious Thelonious; John Coltrane’s Giant Steps; Can’t Sleep; and The Magic Flute. He lives with his wife and son in New York City.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris Raschka's new superpower is writing a middle-grade novel about a young girl, Peachaloo Piccolozampa, who spends her summers in a special small town that wants everything for everybody —the town where her Omi, Helena, lives. They swim together, and when a wasp stings Peachaloo and she realizes she now has a superpower of seeing what people really mean when they speak, she knows it's going to be quite a summer of adventure. At least, she hopes so!
The Ajax Mansion, a former monastery whose jump-roping denizens proclaimed it freely open to all, has been purchased by a man new to the town, and he is wealthy and has BIG ideas, mostly taking away the right of the townspeople to use those grounds, including swimming in the lake and using a new golf course. Now it’s up to Peachaloo to use her superpower to prove this villain a liar, star in the annual pageant, and somehow get her town back the way it's supposed to be.
It's a winding and inspiring story for everyone to stand up for what's the right thing to do for everyone, with Raschka's whimsical illustrations sprinkled throughout. Thanks to Neal Porter Books, an imprint of Holiday House Publishing, for this copy!

[Glenna Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peachaloo Piccolozampa always spends the summer in Fourwords, Pennsylvania with her grandmother who is also the town historian. This summer, instead of spending a quiet time swimming in the local swimming hole and jumping rope with her friend Lily, Peachaloo is pitchforked into high intrigue when a Major Gasbag buys the old Ajax Mansion from the last surviving Sister of the jump roping order who lived there. Major Gasbag circumvents the wishes of the Sister for the grounds to remain open to all Fourwordsians with the sneaky aid of the town alderman. He begins transforming the grounds into his version of a high class golfing retreat. However, nature, Peachaloo and her grandmother all take a role in defeating his nefarious schemes. Meanwhile, the yearly play The Defeat of Ronnie and Donnie Pageant, adds to the town's history of the defeat, in their very town, of notorious bank robbers Ronnie and Donnie. This story is delightfully rambling as a good summer vacation should be, with some interesting twists on intuition as well as timely commentary on the nature of moneygrubbing and bad taste.

[Heather Sinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Neal Porter Books/ Holiday House for my honest review. Peachaloo in Bloom is a whimsical book about twelve year old Peachaloo Piccolozampa who gets stung by a wasp and gets a super power EWP "extra wasp perception". Chris Raschka has written a sweet book about a quirky town, with a mix of fun characters and stories within that town. This story is written for middle school readers so it does jump around in a very middle school level way. Let's be honest sit down and have a conversation with a bunch of middle school kids and that is what get and that is the way Chris Raschka has written this. I know my grandchildren will enjoy this charming book.

[Amy Isenberg-Merritts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute! Great story for young readers. I love the quirkiness of the small town, reminded me of Stars Hollow (Gilmore Girls). I also loved the references to the author’s hometown (which you know if you are from there, which I am)! Peachaloo is a delightful character, who I enjoyed getting to know.

[Marz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful. Love the ABBA needledrops.