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Easter Ann Peters' Operation Cool
Twelve-year-old Easter Ann Peters has a plan to make seventh grade awesome: Operation Cool. She’s determined to erase years of being known as the quiet, straight-A student who can’t think of a decent comeback to a bully she calls Horse Girl. When the confident new girl, Wreni, becomes her long-needed best friend, Easter lets her personality shine. The coolest guy in school takes a sudden interest. But as tough times at school fade away, so does a happy life at home. Mom is drinking, and Easter works double-overtime to keep their secret in the tiny lakeside town. Operation Cool derails. Fast. Can Easter discover the solution in time? Or will seventh grade be her worst year yet?
270 pages, Paperback
First published August 27, 2012
3 people are currently reading
1012 people want to read
About the author
Jody Lamb
2 books29 followersJody Lamb is a personal growth author and a leader for adult children of alcoholics. Jody's first middle-grade novel, Easter Ann Peters' Operation Cool, was named Foreword Reviews' 2012 Book of the Year for its realistic look at parental alcoholism. Jody lives in Michigan, USA. Visit JodyLamb.com for simple strategies to create the life you want, to learn how to heal from tough times and discover your next step.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 30, 2012
This book is a rare treat. Easter Ann Peters is a loveable, quirky and very real girl entering the 7th grade. She's hoping to erase the previous years of awkwardness and shyness. But as she prepares for her "Operation Cool" things at home start to spiral out of control as her mother sinks into alcoholism.
You might think a book tackling this heavy topic would be dark and preachy but Jody Lamb handles the subject with sensitivity, honesty and plenty of humor. While Easter's problems at home certainly touch her life, Easter is still, after all, a girl trying to forge her own path at school. Easter's antics will make you laugh out loud and the hopeful resolution will bring tears to your eyes.
This book will be a major help to children facing hard family situations like Easter, but it's also a great book for anyone who needs to find their niche.
Easter will challenge readers to consider that people don't always wear everything on their sleeves. But despite great adversity, there is still great opportunity to shine.
An amazing and heartfelt debut from an excellent new voice in middle grade writing.
You might think a book tackling this heavy topic would be dark and preachy but Jody Lamb handles the subject with sensitivity, honesty and plenty of humor. While Easter's problems at home certainly touch her life, Easter is still, after all, a girl trying to forge her own path at school. Easter's antics will make you laugh out loud and the hopeful resolution will bring tears to your eyes.
This book will be a major help to children facing hard family situations like Easter, but it's also a great book for anyone who needs to find their niche.
Easter will challenge readers to consider that people don't always wear everything on their sleeves. But despite great adversity, there is still great opportunity to shine.
An amazing and heartfelt debut from an excellent new voice in middle grade writing.
October 3, 2012
I couldn't help rooting for twelve year old Easter Ann. She's a spunky girl. Her best friend moved away and she wants to find a new one, so she decides to take matters at school into her own hands and launch "Operation Cool." Just when things start to *maybe* go her way at school, things at home fall apart. Watching Easter struggle with her mom's depression tugged at my heart strings because it hit exactly at the core of how a preteen would feel--like she should be able to fix it.
Well written and perfectly paced, this story was more than a GOOD read, it was great!
Well written and perfectly paced, this story was more than a GOOD read, it was great!
February 27, 2017
This book is extremely well written. Lamb has managed to take a very serious topic and through the perspective of a young girl, write about it with humour and grace. Easter's voice is so honest and sincere and she manages to show the heartbreak a young girl goes through when having an alcoholic parent.
Easter's goal to be "cool" in the seventh grade is juxtaposed with her tragic home life. It's very difficult to read about her battle to take care of her mother while still trying to retain normality in her life. Easter will make you laugh and make you cry. You'll cheer for her when she succeeds and cry with her when she doesn't.
Even though I've never faced the issues that Easter does, I find myself with more knowledge about this sensitive issue that affects many people. I commend Lamb for writing such a poignant and moving novel that instills hope instead of passing judgement. Highly recommended for all young adults.
I received this book through the GoodReads FirstReads program.
Easter's goal to be "cool" in the seventh grade is juxtaposed with her tragic home life. It's very difficult to read about her battle to take care of her mother while still trying to retain normality in her life. Easter will make you laugh and make you cry. You'll cheer for her when she succeeds and cry with her when she doesn't.
Even though I've never faced the issues that Easter does, I find myself with more knowledge about this sensitive issue that affects many people. I commend Lamb for writing such a poignant and moving novel that instills hope instead of passing judgement. Highly recommended for all young adults.
I received this book through the GoodReads FirstReads program.
March 24, 2014
The leading lady in this book, Easter, is cool but she doesn’t know it. She begins the 7th grade with a plan that doesn’t always appear to be working out. You will laugh not only at the antics of normal everyday kids, but things like a cat that thinks it’s a dog and a Granny that does burn-outs in the school parking lot. Easter also has a Mother that drinks too much and a Dad that spends most of his time at work.
I love this book because it’s fun and sad and educational. It’s a brave author that can tackle the serious problem of alcohol abuse, make us smile, have us reach for a tissue, and find ourselves cheering, all within the covers of a little book. You can catch a glimpse of author, Jody Lamb, by reading the acknowledgments at the back of the book. Interesting woman.
I love this book because it’s fun and sad and educational. It’s a brave author that can tackle the serious problem of alcohol abuse, make us smile, have us reach for a tissue, and find ourselves cheering, all within the covers of a little book. You can catch a glimpse of author, Jody Lamb, by reading the acknowledgments at the back of the book. Interesting woman.
November 19, 2012
This was an excellent book and one I would highly recommend for young ones heading into high school. It is tough enough to leave one school and head to the other, but as we learn in this book, many are hiding secrets, all in different ways.
Was an eye opening experience to see how this young girl deals with her mom's alcoholism, as does her dad, and how finally the bottom falls out and all need to do something for themselves to move forward and be a family again.
Great resources in the back for dealing with alcoholism.
Great book!
Was an eye opening experience to see how this young girl deals with her mom's alcoholism, as does her dad, and how finally the bottom falls out and all need to do something for themselves to move forward and be a family again.
Great resources in the back for dealing with alcoholism.
Great book!
June 16, 2018
This controversial text tells the story of a seventh grade girl who is trying to navigate growing up, hiding and not wanting to believe that her mom is an alcoholic. Easter Ann Peters is determined to be cool this year. She no longer wants to be the shy uncool girl. Snth grade is a new ball game. When she meets the new girl and they become great friends, she avoids having Wreni meet her mom because she is such a mess. Easter’s mom spends her time drinking and sleeping and pays no attention to Easter. The responsibilities tend to fall on Easter such as cooking, cleaning and making sure that her very busy father doesn’t see how bad the mom is really doing. This real world story is relatable and real and shows the side of living in a family with addiction.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2013
I received this book as a winner of a Goodreads Giveaway. I'm so glad that I did! My daughter and I are avid readers and as a RIF coordinator, I like to keep on top of books that fall in this age range. When we review books, we often find that we list "issue" books among our favorites. In the past, we've enjoyed "Rules", "Out of My Mind"," A Mango-Shaped Space", "Mockingbird", and "Wonder". I have yet
to find a story that deals with an alcoholic parent as it's "issue". This one does so convincingly.
Readers of this age will identify with the nerves that come with the start of middle school and will immediately take to the protaganist, Easter Ann. As other reviewers have stated, watching her struggle with an alcoholic parent at home, while she navigates the ups and downs of midddle school, will pull at your heart. The storyline succeeds in portraying real life situations that a young family member may face when dealing with an alcoholic parent. It will open the eyes of readers that have not experienced this situation and it may help those that have, by emphasizing that it's ok to ask for help. A list of support groups and Alcohol Abuse resources is a fitting addition at the end. Thank you, Jody, for an enjoyable and informative read!
to find a story that deals with an alcoholic parent as it's "issue". This one does so convincingly.
Readers of this age will identify with the nerves that come with the start of middle school and will immediately take to the protaganist, Easter Ann. As other reviewers have stated, watching her struggle with an alcoholic parent at home, while she navigates the ups and downs of midddle school, will pull at your heart. The storyline succeeds in portraying real life situations that a young family member may face when dealing with an alcoholic parent. It will open the eyes of readers that have not experienced this situation and it may help those that have, by emphasizing that it's ok to ask for help. A list of support groups and Alcohol Abuse resources is a fitting addition at the end. Thank you, Jody, for an enjoyable and informative read!
March 3, 2013
This is a great young adult book. I feel that Jody Lamb did a great job capturing the angst and worry of a typical middle school age kid. Feeling out of place and "uncool" is the norm when in reality EVERYONE is feeling the same way. Added in to the mix, Easter is dealing with her mother's alcoholism and coping with family issues.
As an adult reading a young adult book, I thought it was well written and a very good story. It was deep enough to make it interesting for me, but quick enough to keep it interesting for a younger person. Quite a challenge for an author!
Disclaimer...I won this book through a Goodreads contest, however, it does not effect my review.
As an adult reading a young adult book, I thought it was well written and a very good story. It was deep enough to make it interesting for me, but quick enough to keep it interesting for a younger person. Quite a challenge for an author!
Disclaimer...I won this book through a Goodreads contest, however, it does not effect my review.
November 3, 2017
This book belongs in all middle school libraries, counseling/student services offices and public libraries.
Seventh grade can be a vexing time and author Jody Lamb's choice for Easter's setting provides a perfect balance of disorder at school and at home for the middlegrade audience and the serious topic of family alcoholism.
Despite the ongoing situation with her family, Easter's story is fun, funny and upbeat. And I love the subtle reminders that this novel takes place in my former home state - Michigan. :)
As the book entered the final chapters, I realized the end would be coming soon...I did not want to lose track of Easter. Could she return, in a subsequent book?
Seventh grade can be a vexing time and author Jody Lamb's choice for Easter's setting provides a perfect balance of disorder at school and at home for the middlegrade audience and the serious topic of family alcoholism.
Despite the ongoing situation with her family, Easter's story is fun, funny and upbeat. And I love the subtle reminders that this novel takes place in my former home state - Michigan. :)
As the book entered the final chapters, I realized the end would be coming soon...I did not want to lose track of Easter. Could she return, in a subsequent book?
August 3, 2013
Jody Lamb is a local author, and I gave Maya a signed copy of her book. She sat on it awhile, unsure about the "Operation Cool" theme. But she picked it up yesterday and finished in one night - sneak reading after bedtime because she became so invested in the story. Easter Ann's mother's alcoholism hit her hard and made her cry. She cared about Easter Ann (and her cat!), and she was glad to see her grow and change by the end. High praise, Jody! Congrats on your debut!
Want to read
December 14, 2012The kid whom I gave this to, and I absolutely loved it. Fantastic. Buy it for your kids right now, You won't regret the investment.
February 22, 2019
This book belongs in all middle school libraries, counseling/student services offices and public libraries.
Seventh grade can be a vexing time and author Jody Lamb's choice for Easter Ann's setting provides a perfect balance of disorder at school and at home for the middlegrade audience and the serious topic of family alcoholism.
Despite the ongoing situation with her family, Easter Ann's story is fun, funny and upbeat. And I love the subtle reminders that this novel takes place in my former home state - Michigan.
As the book entered the final chapters, I realized the end would be coming soon...I did not want to lose track of Easter Ann. Could she return, in a subsequent book?
An updated Resource List is included in the back - help for those concerned about a family member's alcohol consumption - in this new second edition.
Seventh grade can be a vexing time and author Jody Lamb's choice for Easter Ann's setting provides a perfect balance of disorder at school and at home for the middlegrade audience and the serious topic of family alcoholism.
Despite the ongoing situation with her family, Easter Ann's story is fun, funny and upbeat. And I love the subtle reminders that this novel takes place in my former home state - Michigan.
As the book entered the final chapters, I realized the end would be coming soon...I did not want to lose track of Easter Ann. Could she return, in a subsequent book?
An updated Resource List is included in the back - help for those concerned about a family member's alcohol consumption - in this new second edition.
July 28, 2014
I have to begin this review with two caveats. First, I am not a twelve year-old girl, so some of the more innocent parts of the novel may have missed their mark with me. Second, author Jody Lamb and I share the same publisher, so I hope she sells a billion copies of her book. That said, Operation Cool successfully captures the voice of seventh grade Easter Ann Peters as she struggles to find her place at school while dealing with an alcoholic mother. Jody Lamb's characterizations of Easter and her classmates, both friendly and cruel, seem dead on, and the kids' overriding concern with being cool despite what adults can see is the real significant problem rings especially true. There are times when the tone seems both too young (see Easter's cute yet perhaps naive use of substitute curse words) or too old (the straightforward treatment of alcoholism in general), but these extremes may just strike a suitable balance in the novel as a whole. Operation Cool appears to be a hard book subject-wise for pre-teens, but its honesty makes it an important message for young readers confronted with a family member's addiction.
September 2, 2014
I picked up this book at the Ann Arbor (Michigan) Book Festival back in June. Thought it looked cute. And although it has some elements of the humorous, school-kid story similar to, say, Ramona Quimby or Diary of a Wimpy Kid, it’s more of a family drama about a girl dealing with an alcoholic parent.
Which surprised me, because that’s not the impression you get from just picking up this book, if all you’re expecting is a light, funny read. Still, I think the author did a good job balancing the serious, dramatic aspects with the cute, funny ones. Most importantly, I think the author got her main character right. Easter Peters really does sound like a seventh grade girl and not an adult trying to sound like a seventh grade girl, and I think that helped a lot in maintaining the right tone for the story.
Not exactly what I expected, but in this case, that is a good thing. Don’t get me wrong: Cute, funny, light reads are great and I probably wouldn’t have complained if that was all Operation Cool was. But you have to admire a story that takes those conventions, but adds another dimension, thus making the story something else altogether.
Which surprised me, because that’s not the impression you get from just picking up this book, if all you’re expecting is a light, funny read. Still, I think the author did a good job balancing the serious, dramatic aspects with the cute, funny ones. Most importantly, I think the author got her main character right. Easter Peters really does sound like a seventh grade girl and not an adult trying to sound like a seventh grade girl, and I think that helped a lot in maintaining the right tone for the story.
Not exactly what I expected, but in this case, that is a good thing. Don’t get me wrong: Cute, funny, light reads are great and I probably wouldn’t have complained if that was all Operation Cool was. But you have to admire a story that takes those conventions, but adds another dimension, thus making the story something else altogether.
Want to read
August 31, 2013Great book to read. My 5th graders loved it!
February 9, 2015
Young girl dealing with regular JH school pressures and an alcoholic mom.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews