What do you think?
Rate this book
Lou Lou and Pea #2
Lou Lou and Pea and the Bicentennial Bonanza
Lou Lou and Pea and the Bicentennial Bonanza is the second book in this young, illustrated middle-grade series by Jill Diamond, about two best friends who must uncover historical secrets and save their city's festival.
BFFs Lou Lou Bombay and Peacock Pearl are busy preparing for the Bicentennial Bonanza, their city’s two-hundredth birthday bash! And this year, the party will take place in their beloved neighborhood of El Corazón. With a baking contest, talent show, and a new gazebo planned, the community can’t wait to celebrate the founders (and historical BFFs), Diego Soto and Giles Wonderwood. But when Vice-Mayor Andy Argyle claims the festivities belong to Verde Valley, using a mysterious diary as evidence, Lou Lou and Pea smell trouble. Will the friends be able to uncover the secrets of their city’s founding, and bring the Bonanza back to El Corazón?
"Fans of Lou Lou and Pea and the Mural Mystery will welcome this second adventure, but readers new to the series will not be at a disadvantage." ― Booklist
Fun back matter includes a DIY garden party hat and a Spanish language glossary!
BFFs Lou Lou Bombay and Peacock Pearl are busy preparing for the Bicentennial Bonanza, their city’s two-hundredth birthday bash! And this year, the party will take place in their beloved neighborhood of El Corazón. With a baking contest, talent show, and a new gazebo planned, the community can’t wait to celebrate the founders (and historical BFFs), Diego Soto and Giles Wonderwood. But when Vice-Mayor Andy Argyle claims the festivities belong to Verde Valley, using a mysterious diary as evidence, Lou Lou and Pea smell trouble. Will the friends be able to uncover the secrets of their city’s founding, and bring the Bonanza back to El Corazón?
"Fans of Lou Lou and Pea and the Mural Mystery will welcome this second adventure, but readers new to the series will not be at a disadvantage." ― Booklist
Fun back matter includes a DIY garden party hat and a Spanish language glossary!
272 pages, Hardcover
Published April 24, 2018
2 people are currently reading
317 people want to read
About the author
Jill Diamond
2 books32 followersJill Diamond has loved children's literature for as long as she can remember, thanks to her school librarian mother and long, cold winters in Maine. She presently lives in San Francisco, where, when she's not writing, she hangs out with her husband and their son.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 29, 2018
Disclaimer: Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book-all opinions are my own. The opinions in this review are solely my own and do not reflect the views of the author or KidLitExchange
I adored this novel and thought the author did a great job capturing the essence of Lou Lou and Pea. I also loved the author used a Spanish influence throughout the entire novel, providing text in a bilingual manner was very creative. I was able to learn a few words throughout the story. I enjoyed the instructions on how to make a hat and the Spanish-English dictionary at the end of the story. I loved the connection between friendship throughout this novel and the emphasis on kindness. The author spent time providing details of the characters that fueled my imagination throughout the entire book. I loved the portrayal of Lou Lou's parents and their uniqueness. I thought it was a bit strange that her parents went with a nautical theme for their home, but it does happen. I would have liked a bit more explanation of Pea's parents instead of the full focus on her grandmother. This novel is well written, and I recommend it to any in middle school who is interested in a little bit of mystery, friendship, and excitement.
You can view the full review on my blog at Libariel Book Reviews
I adored this novel and thought the author did a great job capturing the essence of Lou Lou and Pea. I also loved the author used a Spanish influence throughout the entire novel, providing text in a bilingual manner was very creative. I was able to learn a few words throughout the story. I enjoyed the instructions on how to make a hat and the Spanish-English dictionary at the end of the story. I loved the connection between friendship throughout this novel and the emphasis on kindness. The author spent time providing details of the characters that fueled my imagination throughout the entire book. I loved the portrayal of Lou Lou's parents and their uniqueness. I thought it was a bit strange that her parents went with a nautical theme for their home, but it does happen. I would have liked a bit more explanation of Pea's parents instead of the full focus on her grandmother. This novel is well written, and I recommend it to any in middle school who is interested in a little bit of mystery, friendship, and excitement.
You can view the full review on my blog at Libariel Book Reviews
March 15, 2018
What a sweet story with a fun mystery! Lou Lou and Pea are simply adorable and smart and interesting characters. And the world building of El Corazon is fantastic. The writing has a nice, fresh tone and keeps up a quick pace that's easy to read without being simplistic. This story made me hungry as I read; Lou Lou and Pea were often enjoying wonderful Mexican foods and drinks. This is a great, clean and refreshing read!
June 8, 2018
It was an utter joy to return to Lou Lou, Pea, and their families, friends, and neighbors. Once again, Jill Diamond spins an edge-of-your-seat exciting yet richly detailed story, and Lesley Vamos's lively, charming illustrations provide the perfect accompaniment. More please!!
December 1, 2017
I loved being back in the warm and quirky neighborhood of El Corazon for the second Lou Lou and Pea story. My favorite part of this series is how the titular characters model a healthy friendship between girls. They are kind, thoughtful, and display empathy toward each other. All of the drama happens outside of their relationship. Lou Lou and Pea help each other cope (this time with a plot to hijack their town's Bicentennial celebration). They give one another the strength and support needed to problem solve and weather life's storms.
August 10, 2017
I love Lou Lou and Pea so much!!!!!!!
March 26, 2018
I LOVE Lou Lou and Pea and their mystery solving adventures! In Bicentennial Bonanza they try to reclaim the Bonanza for El Corazon and all the residents. In order to accomplish their goal, they have to solve they mystery of the Argyle's, Diego's diary and what really happened to Putt Putt the puli. Lou Lou, Pea and their friends Jeremy and Kyle embark on quite the adventure and have a lot of fun along the way.
The Spanish "dictionary" at the end as well as the instructions for paper hats make the book even more engaging. I really appreciate that there is Spanish scattered throughout the entire book. Diamond knows how to hook readers and make them want to solve the mystery alongside these girls. Looking forward to the next in the series!
The Spanish "dictionary" at the end as well as the instructions for paper hats make the book even more engaging. I really appreciate that there is Spanish scattered throughout the entire book. Diamond knows how to hook readers and make them want to solve the mystery alongside these girls. Looking forward to the next in the series!
May 11, 2018
What a delight this second installment of the Lou Lou and Pea series is! The intrepid duo are back preparing for the Bicentennial Bonanza, the great celebration of the founding of their city. When a mysterious diary and a nefarious vice-mayor show up, ruining the plans for the event to be hosted in their neighborhood, Lou Lou and Pea sense something sinister is afoot. El Corazon, their neighborhood, is filled with unique characters (Pea’s stunt-riding abuela comes to mind) who aid Lou Lou and Pea along the way as they must solve the mystery and bring their city together. Spoiler: They do (with style and aplomb). A great book and a great series! Highly recommend.
April 13, 2018
I absolutely love this series. If you are looking for a fun mystery, that features a unique setting and great characters, do not miss this series.
I may have enjoyed book 2 even more than book 1, but don’t tell the girls! Lou Lou and Pea are out to solve a mystery to help their friends and their neighborhood!
I may have enjoyed book 2 even more than book 1, but don’t tell the girls! Lou Lou and Pea are out to solve a mystery to help their friends and their neighborhood!
June 27, 2018
This was the perfect follow up to THE MURAL MYSTERY. I loved that this still had a mystery feel, but really focused on the girls realizing how to handle things when life just doesn't go your way. Loved all of Lou Lou and Pea's hysterical plant and fashion quotes, and all the caracoles made my mouth water! Read this delicious book!
May 8, 2018
I loved both of these books — the whole neighborhood feels so real, and the characters are so fun and relatable. This is one of my favorite series to recommend to kids.
March 6, 2018
Another fantastic entry in the Lou Lou and Pea series. Not only is this one beyond adorable, but it’s hilarious too! An evil villain obsessed with gazebos? Yes please.
This book manages to teach serious lessons about friendship and communities (plus a little Spanish too), but it never takes itself too seriously. It’s just fun!
I loved the vivid, imaginative, over-the-top visuals. Because everything is a twist on a trope or situation we already know, it’s easy to picture these wild situations (e.g., goats dressed like superheroes), which makes it even funnier.
As for Lou Lou and Pea, they’re still spunky and lovable as ever. I also feel good about the fact that it's exposing children to unique, driven, 3-dimensional female protagonists. They’re definitely girls any kid can look up to.
Highly, highly recommend.
This book manages to teach serious lessons about friendship and communities (plus a little Spanish too), but it never takes itself too seriously. It’s just fun!
I loved the vivid, imaginative, over-the-top visuals. Because everything is a twist on a trope or situation we already know, it’s easy to picture these wild situations (e.g., goats dressed like superheroes), which makes it even funnier.
As for Lou Lou and Pea, they’re still spunky and lovable as ever. I also feel good about the fact that it's exposing children to unique, driven, 3-dimensional female protagonists. They’re definitely girls any kid can look up to.
Highly, highly recommend.
March 17, 2018
The second entry in the Lou Lou and Pea series is even more delightful than the first. Kids will be enthralled by the colorful neighborhood of El Corazon and the many fascinating characters that inhabit it.
There is a mixture of cultures here, with a smattering of Spanish throughout the book. I may be biased, but it reminds me of my neighborhood in San Francisco, the Mission district.
Bicentennial Bonanza is full of fun adventures and silly situations that young readers will really enjoy. The author seems to perfectly capture the wonder of being a kid in a vibrant city.
There is a mixture of cultures here, with a smattering of Spanish throughout the book. I may be biased, but it reminds me of my neighborhood in San Francisco, the Mission district.
Bicentennial Bonanza is full of fun adventures and silly situations that young readers will really enjoy. The author seems to perfectly capture the wonder of being a kid in a vibrant city.
February 18, 2018
Join the girls on their next adventure! Thank you for reading/visiting Lou Lou and Pea's GR page!
December 20, 2017
Gosh, I just love Lou Lou and Pea and their neighborhood, El Corazon. This second Lou Lou and Pea book is another sweet mystery -- nothing too high-stakes or dangerous, sort of like if a mystery happened in a town like Stars Hollow... if Stars Hollow was full of delicious Mexican food and set in California. I can't wait to see the final illustrations! A great selections for grades 3+.
May 3, 2018
I can see many middle grade readers enjoying this book and the series featuring best friends Peacock Pearl and Lou Lou Bombay. The girls are quite different in their personalities and in their interests, but they still manage to make things work. Pea makes exquisite hats and is prone to quoting famous fashionistas while Lou Lou loves plants, tends her family's honeysuckle, and tries to spout lines with an agricultural theme that fit the situation. Unfortunately, they rarely do. Both girls are disappointed when the city's Bicentennial Bonanza is moved from their neighborhood to a different one. The girls don't trust the vice-mayor's motives and don't believe the evidence he uncovers to move the festivities. With help from some friends and some creative thinking on their part, the girls save the day. I liked the can-do nature of the youngsters in this book, and while adults were certainly present in the story, it was encouraging that they solved problems for themselves. Lou Lou's interest in learning to speak Spanish and Pea's gentle corrections when she makes a mistake add to the book's appeal. There is even a list of important Spanish words in the back of the book. This title would be ideal to recommend to readers in search of something featuring characters with a solid friendship. After all, who can resist that sort of thing?
February 12, 2018
Thanks to Kidlitexchange for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
Lou Lou & Pea and the Bicentennial Bonanza is such a fun, cute book. Once again, best friends Lou Lou and Pea find themselves at the heart of a mystery-this time, it’s whether or not a nefarious public official is telling the truth.
Pea and Lou Lou are excited about the upcoming bonanza, created celebrate the 200th anniversary of their town’s founding. The event is supposed to be in their home neighborhood, but when the vice-mayor swoops in, things go awry.
I liked this story because I thought the author did a great job of creating plucky characters in Lou Lou and Pea. I enjoyed their stick-to-itness and I enjoyed their friendships, both with one another and with other people in the town. I also loved the use of Spanish-language phrases throughout the book, and I liked the added diversity of having a half- Mexican character (Pea) in the story.
The only drawback of this story was this: I wished the villains didn’t seem quite so much like caricatures. Sometimes I found their actions and motivations to be a little bit less than believable.
Overall, a fun read for kids.
Lou Lou & Pea and the Bicentennial Bonanza is such a fun, cute book. Once again, best friends Lou Lou and Pea find themselves at the heart of a mystery-this time, it’s whether or not a nefarious public official is telling the truth.
Pea and Lou Lou are excited about the upcoming bonanza, created celebrate the 200th anniversary of their town’s founding. The event is supposed to be in their home neighborhood, but when the vice-mayor swoops in, things go awry.
I liked this story because I thought the author did a great job of creating plucky characters in Lou Lou and Pea. I enjoyed their stick-to-itness and I enjoyed their friendships, both with one another and with other people in the town. I also loved the use of Spanish-language phrases throughout the book, and I liked the added diversity of having a half- Mexican character (Pea) in the story.
The only drawback of this story was this: I wished the villains didn’t seem quite so much like caricatures. Sometimes I found their actions and motivations to be a little bit less than believable.
Overall, a fun read for kids.
June 15, 2018
A sweet fun mystery story that is set in a land that seems like ours, but is full instead with happy people with names that rhyme or are alliterative, characters that are obsessed with certain specific things. For example, Lou Lou's father is obsessed with sailing so everything in the house and in their lives has to do with sailing. It's definitely a book I would have relaxed into as a kid, because you know everything will be okay because this world is just like ours only like in a realistic fairytale--and the fact that this whole community is bilingual Spanish/English is really lovely. But it is very, very sweet and in the mold of so many other safe, sweet, almost-cozy mysteries for kids.
October 27, 2018
I love ALL things Lou Lou & Pea! 💜
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews