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The Great Peach Experiment #3
Frozen Peaches
In the third Great Peach Experiment, the Peach family travels to chilly Sweden to stay at the world famous Ice Hotel, where they will learn everything they need to know about running a popular tourist hotel from the very best of the best. While on their frozen adventure, Herb, Freddy, and Lucy also get to experiment with sled dog racing, ice carving and design, and will participate as a family in the Ice Hotel's annual Frozen Olympics!
288 pages, Hardcover
First published April 4, 2023
11 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Erin Soderberg Downing
55 books273 followersI read and write lots of funny, adventurous, & heartwarming books for kids, tweens, and teens (and even a few romantic comedies for adults, too!) that are ultimately about finding your place, finding your people, and finding your voice. I always love book recommendations, so please send them my way. As a reader, I'm partial to contemporary romantic comedy, thrillers that keep the pages turning and have well-built characters, funny/original voices, quirky characters, and always kids' books with humor and heart.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 22, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
In the nine months since their mother's death, the Peach family has has a lot of adventures, including traveling around with a peach pie themed food truck in When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie, and turning their Aunt Lucinda's house into a Bed and Breakfast in The Peach Pit. Now, unbeknownst to his family, Freddie has been entering contests under his father's name and has won a year's supply of yogurt and a family trip to the famous Ice Hotel in Sweden! The contest was specifically for families who ran B and B's in cold climates, so the Peaches of Duluth, Minnesota were a good call, and they invite Aunt Lucinda to join them. They are joined by four other families, including the Proetzs of Montana, whose daughter Ellen immediately starts an atagonistic relationship with Lucy. The families will all participate in various events in a Frozen Olympics, and the winners will have the chachet of being the Frozen Best, as well as getting a small ice hotel constructed in their location the following winter! There are some glitches along the way, like Herb taking all of his underwear out of his suitcases and replacing them with Beanie Babies, but staying in the Ice Hotel is a fascinating, if very, very cold, experience. The contests are varied, from baking and decorating sleds to downhill races and a final dogsled competition. The Peaches enter everything with their usual gusto, but are saddened when their father, who has gone on a side trip to a research station that relates to the scientific work he does, has not come back in time. Luckily the owner, Phillip, takes their concerns seriously, and takes them out to the station, where they find that their father really does need their help. During the final competition, the Proetzs also need their help. This could mean that the Peaches lose the contest, but what is more important, winning or being good sports?
Strengths: I love that Downing based this book on her own experiences visiting the Ice Hotel years ago; I dont' even mind that she fictionalized a lot of the setting. I read this on a very snowy day, and it was a great virtual adventure-- I didn't even need to borrow a snow suit! I like that the kids all work together towards a common goal, even if they do have a few spats and misunderstandings. Aside from Ellen, all of the competitors were fairly nice. Aunt Lucinda coming along is a nice touch, and her wigs add just a tiny bit of quirkiness. I appreciate that the children occasionally have moments when they think of their mother, but that thei grief isn't pervasive; this is much truer to real life than many middle grade novels. Right now, I have several sixth grade boys racing through this series, so they will be glad to see this next installment. I hope we get to see them back in Duluth one more time!
Weaknesses: I did find it a little hard to believe that there are that many contests out there for people to enter, but that being said, I had a friend who won tickets to some fancy golf tournament in England, so it could happen.
What I really think: The Peaches have adventures that are a lot of fun, and they aren't as quirky as the Vanderbeekers are, so I enjoy them a lot more. Readers who like solid family adventure stories with a tiny hint of Enright's Melendy family to them will enjoy traveling with the Peaches.
In the nine months since their mother's death, the Peach family has has a lot of adventures, including traveling around with a peach pie themed food truck in When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie, and turning their Aunt Lucinda's house into a Bed and Breakfast in The Peach Pit. Now, unbeknownst to his family, Freddie has been entering contests under his father's name and has won a year's supply of yogurt and a family trip to the famous Ice Hotel in Sweden! The contest was specifically for families who ran B and B's in cold climates, so the Peaches of Duluth, Minnesota were a good call, and they invite Aunt Lucinda to join them. They are joined by four other families, including the Proetzs of Montana, whose daughter Ellen immediately starts an atagonistic relationship with Lucy. The families will all participate in various events in a Frozen Olympics, and the winners will have the chachet of being the Frozen Best, as well as getting a small ice hotel constructed in their location the following winter! There are some glitches along the way, like Herb taking all of his underwear out of his suitcases and replacing them with Beanie Babies, but staying in the Ice Hotel is a fascinating, if very, very cold, experience. The contests are varied, from baking and decorating sleds to downhill races and a final dogsled competition. The Peaches enter everything with their usual gusto, but are saddened when their father, who has gone on a side trip to a research station that relates to the scientific work he does, has not come back in time. Luckily the owner, Phillip, takes their concerns seriously, and takes them out to the station, where they find that their father really does need their help. During the final competition, the Proetzs also need their help. This could mean that the Peaches lose the contest, but what is more important, winning or being good sports?
Strengths: I love that Downing based this book on her own experiences visiting the Ice Hotel years ago; I dont' even mind that she fictionalized a lot of the setting. I read this on a very snowy day, and it was a great virtual adventure-- I didn't even need to borrow a snow suit! I like that the kids all work together towards a common goal, even if they do have a few spats and misunderstandings. Aside from Ellen, all of the competitors were fairly nice. Aunt Lucinda coming along is a nice touch, and her wigs add just a tiny bit of quirkiness. I appreciate that the children occasionally have moments when they think of their mother, but that thei grief isn't pervasive; this is much truer to real life than many middle grade novels. Right now, I have several sixth grade boys racing through this series, so they will be glad to see this next installment. I hope we get to see them back in Duluth one more time!
Weaknesses: I did find it a little hard to believe that there are that many contests out there for people to enter, but that being said, I had a friend who won tickets to some fancy golf tournament in England, so it could happen.
What I really think: The Peaches have adventures that are a lot of fun, and they aren't as quirky as the Vanderbeekers are, so I enjoy them a lot more. Readers who like solid family adventure stories with a tiny hint of Enright's Melendy family to them will enjoy traveling with the Peaches.
June 13, 2023
As an adult, reading a middle school book, I found this book to be absolutely delightful. I thought it would teach young children all about winter sports, Sweden, and ice hotels I think that the three Peach children, Freddy, Lucy, and Herb are wonderful examples of how young children should act showing kindness to both other children and adults. I learned a lot about winter sports and I really liked all three of the children especially Freddy. I would strongly recommend this series for middle grade kids. This is the third book in the series and I am anxious to read the first two, but this one can be read without reading the first two.
April 18, 2023
This is the 3rd installment of the great peach experiment Frozen Peaches. In this one, the Peach family has won a trip to the Ice Hotel in Sweden. When they get there, they find themselves in a competition with other B&B owners from all over the country to be Frozen Best. I really liked that each Peach kid got their storyline, but Freddy was more of a major player in the last books, and this time, Herb gets his time in the sun. Overall, the 3rd installment isn't as good as the rest, but I love this family so much, and I was happy to see them again, especially Great Aunt Lucinda.
January 1, 2023
I loved this one just as much as the first two! I absolutely cannot wait to tell my students a little more about it as they eagerly await its publication. The Peach Family travels to a different setting to face a new set of challenges but they are always there for each other.
DRC from Edelweiss.plus.
DRC from Edelweiss.plus.
May 23, 2024
Freddy has been entering his dad in all sorts of sweepstakes to hopefully help their new B & B make ends meet. So far he's won a year's worth of yogurt, and even more exciting, a trip to a week long sort of conference/competition at the Ice Hotel in Sweden for hotel/motel/B&B owners and their families. The event just happens to hit their spring break, so the whole family is going plus Aunt Lucinda since Dad is going to meet up with some environmental scientists while there for a few days too. Each Peach family member has different goals for the week. Herb meets the sled dogs and soon wants to know all there is to know about caring for them and driving them (he's also super focused on making sure the family has fun together). Freddy has a goal of sleeping in a different room in the Ice Hotel each night, even though most of the family wants to stay in the Warm Hotel all but one night. He also thought he was going to be into ice carving, but a visit to the hotel's theater finds him strangely enthralled with stage fighting and maybe becoming part of the Shakespearean performance. Lucy was looking forward to time in a new place, but a run in with a snooty girl from one of the other families has her obsessing over winning the mini olympics the hotel is hosting for the five families who won the sweepstakes. They have to compete in baking, ice sculpture, sled dog racing, and more. She's also concerned about Dad getting too sucked into the science part of his trip and resorting to his neglectful parent status. Aunt Lucinda is looking forward to some great time at the spa and is just thrilled to be there. As the week goes on, each of the kids must face some of their ongoing worries and mental health issues brought up by being in a new enthralling setting and under competition pressures.
Even though the Peach family has made great strides in healing and growth, it's realistic that such a trip would bring to the surface some issues they haven't dealt with. Freddy is a little obsessed with their luck and is worried that their good luck streak is about to revert back to being a bad luck streak. He eventually realizes some important things. Poor little Herb deals with the loss of his mom by trying to keep all his family close and obsesses a bit over doing things together and making sure everyone is safe. Lucy feels like she has to prove they are a good family and is still afraid she'll have to go into adult-mode again if/when her dad slips back into neglectful habits and hold the family together. Something happens on their father's science trip and he isn't back in time. It brings everyone's issues to a crisis point but also makes others a bit more aware of the help they all still need. That makes it sound like this is a serious and sad book, but it isn't. Overall, it is a fun foray into a very unique setting for the Peach family. The author has visited the real Ice Hotel in the past so she added authentic elements to the story and makes the wintry wonderland come to life. Herb's time with the sled dogs is a lot of fun. Lucy discovers a hidden talent for a wintry art. Freddy finds a new interest he enjoys. They have some great family bonding moments in the competitions. And all of them get ideas of how to add fun things to their own B&B. Overall, it's a lot of fun in the Swedish late winter.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: One person is in a precarious situation and breaks a limb. They end up fine.
Ethnic diversity: We don't get to know the other 4 families very well at all except Lucy's nemesis, but based on last names it appears most are White American, one is of South Asian descent but now lives in Michigan. Obviously they meet Swedes in Sweden, and the Peach family are White American.
LGBTQ+ content: One of the competing families has 2 dads (again, we don't get to meet them much at all).
Other: Anxiety and other mental health issues common among kids who have lost a parent are explored, but all end up in a healthier place by the end of the book. Lucy gets overly competitive and must re-examine her interactions with the other girl. They end tentative friends by the end.
Even though the Peach family has made great strides in healing and growth, it's realistic that such a trip would bring to the surface some issues they haven't dealt with. Freddy is a little obsessed with their luck and is worried that their good luck streak is about to revert back to being a bad luck streak. He eventually realizes some important things. Poor little Herb deals with the loss of his mom by trying to keep all his family close and obsesses a bit over doing things together and making sure everyone is safe. Lucy feels like she has to prove they are a good family and is still afraid she'll have to go into adult-mode again if/when her dad slips back into neglectful habits and hold the family together. Something happens on their father's science trip and he isn't back in time. It brings everyone's issues to a crisis point but also makes others a bit more aware of the help they all still need. That makes it sound like this is a serious and sad book, but it isn't. Overall, it is a fun foray into a very unique setting for the Peach family. The author has visited the real Ice Hotel in the past so she added authentic elements to the story and makes the wintry wonderland come to life. Herb's time with the sled dogs is a lot of fun. Lucy discovers a hidden talent for a wintry art. Freddy finds a new interest he enjoys. They have some great family bonding moments in the competitions. And all of them get ideas of how to add fun things to their own B&B. Overall, it's a lot of fun in the Swedish late winter.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: One person is in a precarious situation and breaks a limb. They end up fine.
Ethnic diversity: We don't get to know the other 4 families very well at all except Lucy's nemesis, but based on last names it appears most are White American, one is of South Asian descent but now lives in Michigan. Obviously they meet Swedes in Sweden, and the Peach family are White American.
LGBTQ+ content: One of the competing families has 2 dads (again, we don't get to meet them much at all).
Other: Anxiety and other mental health issues common among kids who have lost a parent are explored, but all end up in a healthier place by the end of the book. Lucy gets overly competitive and must re-examine her interactions with the other girl. They end tentative friends by the end.
June 6, 2023
This novel is third in a series about the Peach family. Dad and Herb, Freddy and Lucy have navigated several adventures and traumas, including the loss of their mom, and now have an opportunity to visit the world-famous Ice Hotel in Sweden. Here, the family learns more about running a bed and breakfast, and they meet families like them from across the US. Each child also discovers their talents and learns new skills as they compete in the Frozen Olympics.
I didn't read the previous books in this series and didn't need to in order to understand the story. The author does a great job of incorporating the backstory. But I wish I had read the previous books because this family is delightful.
I also appreciate that the author includes tough topics like grief, insecurity and competitiveness. She normalizes these common challenges many kids face.
The author also explains big words like liability. The definitions flow, though, and feel natural.
I can't wait to read more books about the Great Peach Experiment. I'd read more books by this author, too.
I didn't read the previous books in this series and didn't need to in order to understand the story. The author does a great job of incorporating the backstory. But I wish I had read the previous books because this family is delightful.
I also appreciate that the author includes tough topics like grief, insecurity and competitiveness. She normalizes these common challenges many kids face.
The author also explains big words like liability. The definitions flow, though, and feel natural.
I can't wait to read more books about the Great Peach Experiment. I'd read more books by this author, too.
March 12, 2023
I received an electronic ARC from Holiday House through NetGalley.
The third book in this series continues the humorous and tender story of this family. Freddy entered them in a sweepstakes and they won a trip to Sweden to stay in their IceHotel. While this should be a wonderful time together as a family, readers learn more about their individual struggles. In particular, Lucy gets caught up in her competitive spirit and misses some of the joy. In the end, they figure out how important this time together is regardless of any other events going on.
I appreciate how the author captures the scenery and helps readers feel they to are sleeping on ice beds or leading a dog sled team or performing Shakespeare on stage. This family will touch hearts as they continue to heal after their mom's death and find new memories and ways to be a family of four.
The third book in this series continues the humorous and tender story of this family. Freddy entered them in a sweepstakes and they won a trip to Sweden to stay in their IceHotel. While this should be a wonderful time together as a family, readers learn more about their individual struggles. In particular, Lucy gets caught up in her competitive spirit and misses some of the joy. In the end, they figure out how important this time together is regardless of any other events going on.
I appreciate how the author captures the scenery and helps readers feel they to are sleeping on ice beds or leading a dog sled team or performing Shakespeare on stage. This family will touch hearts as they continue to heal after their mom's death and find new memories and ways to be a family of four.
July 23, 2023
Listened as an audiobook.
I absolutely adore the Peach family! After winning a contest for B & B owners, siblings Lucy, Freddy and Herb (plus dad and great-aunt Lucinda) are headed to the Ice Hotel in Sweden. In addition to spending a night in the world-famous Ice Hotel, the family embarks on adventures including snow person building, downhill sledding, cooking, ice carving, and dog-sledding as they compete with other sweepstake winning families for the chance to have an ice sculpture built at their own B & B!
My favorite in the series (so far) as the Peaches one again come together as they make mistakes, support one other, and realize that their choices are what really determines the luck they’ve had in their lives.
Highly recommend and can’t wait for book 4!
I absolutely adore the Peach family! After winning a contest for B & B owners, siblings Lucy, Freddy and Herb (plus dad and great-aunt Lucinda) are headed to the Ice Hotel in Sweden. In addition to spending a night in the world-famous Ice Hotel, the family embarks on adventures including snow person building, downhill sledding, cooking, ice carving, and dog-sledding as they compete with other sweepstake winning families for the chance to have an ice sculpture built at their own B & B!
My favorite in the series (so far) as the Peaches one again come together as they make mistakes, support one other, and realize that their choices are what really determines the luck they’ve had in their lives.
Highly recommend and can’t wait for book 4!
March 27, 2024
10 year old Freddy Peach has been entering his family's name in countless sweepstakes, out of the blue he has finally hit the jackpot - well, maybe or maybe not, depends on if one's idea is to spend a week in an Ice Hotel in Sweden.
Basically the only time there would be an Ice Hotel would be in the middle of winter, and the B&B business has slowed down for the winter season in Minnesota, so......
I just happened to pick this book up when the NW was experiencing the aftermath of a substantial snowstorm, so the weather outside was corresponding to what I was reading ---- I really could feel the cold of their vacation.
Basically the only time there would be an Ice Hotel would be in the middle of winter, and the B&B business has slowed down for the winter season in Minnesota, so......
I just happened to pick this book up when the NW was experiencing the aftermath of a substantial snowstorm, so the weather outside was corresponding to what I was reading ---- I really could feel the cold of their vacation.
February 2, 2023
A fabulous series for MG readers and beyond! I loved all three of these books, but this one is my favorite. A sweet and fun story that centers around the Peach family on a trip to an ice hotel in Sweden. The family won this trip and are there to learn, but also have fun. Lots of excitement, challenges, and a bit of suspense as the Peach family enjoys their trip. Many great messages for readers. Highly recommend!
June 4, 2023
This book had a more juvenile tone than I was expecting, but some of that expectation was that my 11 year old daughter picked it and the target audience is likely a couple years younger than that. It was a quick read for me, a whole adult. I will have a more in depth review posted after it goes live on my blog.
March 23, 2023
This series is just so much darn fun! Love that the setting of this book is the Icehotel in Sweden, and that yet again the family comes together to cheer each other on, learn together, make mistakes, show resilience, and have tons of fun as a team!
April 1, 2023
EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
What fun to join this family again, this time for a vacation in Sweden. The siblings continue their adventures as they participate in a series of contests during their trip, and readers will be entertained while they learn more about this magnificent country.
What fun to join this family again, this time for a vacation in Sweden. The siblings continue their adventures as they participate in a series of contests during their trip, and readers will be entertained while they learn more about this magnificent country.
April 1, 2023
This Peaches book has the best setting - the Ice Hotel in Sweden! I doubt I will ever get there, so I was living vicariously through the Peach family as I read this one. I know kids will love not only the unique setting, but all the fun activities the Peach kids get to do while they are there.
September 29, 2023
Middle grade realistic fiction, 3rd in series. The Peach family wins a trip to Sweden for an event at the Ice Hotel. The event is jut for owners of small family resorts, such as the Peach Tree B & B. They get to take classes in ice sculpting, sled dog riding, theater production, and more while preparing to compete with the other families in a Frozen Olympics. Once again, the family comes together, and their unique interests help them thrive in different ways. The cold Swedish setting made this feel like an adventure, though it probably falls more into realistic fiction. Listening to the audiobook allowed me to hear correct Swedish emphasis and pronunciation which was appreciated. All three books in this series were a lot of fun. Would definitely read more if this series continues.
May 6, 2024
I liked this book, but it wasn't as good as the first two books in the series. It didn't have the same cozy family feel to it that I was looking forward to reading. However, this whole series is a great one, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quick and easy read.
November 15, 2024
It’s really cool to read a book about going to an ice hotel because that’s a vacation I’d want to go on. And I’d want to learn how to ride a dog sled.
I enjoyed this book more than the first and second book in the series!
I enjoyed this book more than the first and second book in the series!
May 8, 2023
Loved it! What a cute series!
May 26, 2023
Sweet middle grade book. I think this is a cute series and I enjoy the kids. I will read the next in the series when it comes out.
July 25, 2023
This continues to be a fun and enjoyable series, and I particularly enjoyed getting to travel to Sweden with the Peaches in this third installment.
November 22, 2023
A hilarious, fun, funny, competitive book! I love the Peach family!
December 24, 2023
4.5 stars
February 8, 2024
I liked that this was a bit different concept than the other books. The three Peach kids are pretty good main characters.
April 3, 2024
More fun adventures!
October 17, 2024
READ IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 1, 2024
Fun book with lots of icy challenges for the Peachtree B&B family where all about being kind with each other and new cool adventures.
December 21, 2024
A cute winter themed adventure for the Peach Family! I enjoy this series and this was a solid installment.
January 3, 2025
This was a cute story; I particularly enjoyed the setting and the competition aspects. My mind wandered, as it was somewhat repetitive, but it was still fun overall.
July 13, 2025
Best Peach adventure yet. I was skeptical of the premise but the growth in all three Peach kids made this charming and full of fun. Now I want to spend a night in the ice castle.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews