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Those Kids from Fawn Creek: An Emotionally Resonant Middle School Story of Belonging and Authenticity for Kids
“A powerful and thought-provoking story.”—Shelf Awareness (starred review)
“An emotionally resonant story about authenticity and belonging.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“A raw, real exploration of belonging that’s also sweetly hopeful.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Every day in Fawn Creek, Louisiana, is exactly the same—until Orchid Mason arrives. From Erin Entrada Kelly, the winner of the Newbery Medal for Hello, Universe and a Newbery Honor for We Dream of Space, this contemporary school story set in small-town Louisiana is about friendship, family, deception, and being true to yourself and your dreams.
There are twelve kids in the seventh grade at Fawn Creek Middle School. They’ve been together all their lives. And in this small factory town where everyone knows everything about everyone, that’s not necessarily a great thing.
There are thirteen desks in the seventh-grade classroom. That’s because Renni Dean’s father got a promotion, and the family moved to Grand Saintlodge, the nearest big town. Renni’s desk is empty, but Renni still knows their secrets; is still pulling their strings.
When Orchid Mason arrives and slips gracefully into Renni’s chair, the other seventh graders don’t know what to think. Orchid—who was born in New York City but just moved to Fawn Creek from Paris—seems to float. Her dress skims the floor. She’s wearing a flower behind her ear.
Fawn Creek Middle might be small, but it has its tightly knit groups—the self-proclaimed “God Squad,” the jocks, the outsiders—just like anyplace else. Who will claim Orchid Mason? Who will save Orchid Mason? Or will Orchid Mason save them?
Newbery Medal and Newbery Honor winner Erin Entrada Kelly explores complex themes centered on family, friendships, and staying true to yourself. Those Kids from Fawn Creek will enchant fans of Rebecca Stead, Jerry Spinelli, and Kate DiCamillo.
“An emotionally resonant story about authenticity and belonging.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“A raw, real exploration of belonging that’s also sweetly hopeful.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Every day in Fawn Creek, Louisiana, is exactly the same—until Orchid Mason arrives. From Erin Entrada Kelly, the winner of the Newbery Medal for Hello, Universe and a Newbery Honor for We Dream of Space, this contemporary school story set in small-town Louisiana is about friendship, family, deception, and being true to yourself and your dreams.
There are twelve kids in the seventh grade at Fawn Creek Middle School. They’ve been together all their lives. And in this small factory town where everyone knows everything about everyone, that’s not necessarily a great thing.
There are thirteen desks in the seventh-grade classroom. That’s because Renni Dean’s father got a promotion, and the family moved to Grand Saintlodge, the nearest big town. Renni’s desk is empty, but Renni still knows their secrets; is still pulling their strings.
When Orchid Mason arrives and slips gracefully into Renni’s chair, the other seventh graders don’t know what to think. Orchid—who was born in New York City but just moved to Fawn Creek from Paris—seems to float. Her dress skims the floor. She’s wearing a flower behind her ear.
Fawn Creek Middle might be small, but it has its tightly knit groups—the self-proclaimed “God Squad,” the jocks, the outsiders—just like anyplace else. Who will claim Orchid Mason? Who will save Orchid Mason? Or will Orchid Mason save them?
Newbery Medal and Newbery Honor winner Erin Entrada Kelly explores complex themes centered on family, friendships, and staying true to yourself. Those Kids from Fawn Creek will enchant fans of Rebecca Stead, Jerry Spinelli, and Kate DiCamillo.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2022
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July 21, 2021Hello, readers.
Have you ever wished you could leave your hometown? Have you ever wished you could be someone else? Have you ever wished you could travel? Do something new? See something exciting? Then you know what it's like to be Greyson Broussard and Dorothy Doucet, two seventh-graders in Fawn Creek, Louisiana (population: 650). Most of the kids in Fawn Creek feel that way, actually.
I know what that feels like, too.
That's why I wrote this book. <3
Have you ever wished you could leave your hometown? Have you ever wished you could be someone else? Have you ever wished you could travel? Do something new? See something exciting? Then you know what it's like to be Greyson Broussard and Dorothy Doucet, two seventh-graders in Fawn Creek, Louisiana (population: 650). Most of the kids in Fawn Creek feel that way, actually.
I know what that feels like, too.
That's why I wrote this book. <3
February 26, 2022
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
The world offers itself to your imagination~Mary Oliver
Orchid Mason is the new kid. She is the 13th student in the Fawn Creek 7th grade class. As you can imagine, her arrival stirs things up. Small classes that grow up together can be tightly knit like a family, but they also have their secrets and hurts from the past. Like Gooney Bird Greene, Orchid comes in with style. She has big stories and an exotic air. No one knows exactly where she lives or what has brought her to Fawn Creek. Grayson and Dorothy (Didi) embrace Orchid and the three become fast friends. Others speculate about Orchid while a malicious former classmate begins to dig around in Orchid's past. Opposing forces will clash at a middle school dance in a neighboring town. Kelly writes about the situations in a clear, but gentle manner. The lessons to be learned are caught, not taught. The final chapter in the book is Orchid's "I Am" poem for a class assignment. A wonderful way to end the book.
Thank you to Greenwillow Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
The world offers itself to your imagination~Mary Oliver
Orchid Mason is the new kid. She is the 13th student in the Fawn Creek 7th grade class. As you can imagine, her arrival stirs things up. Small classes that grow up together can be tightly knit like a family, but they also have their secrets and hurts from the past. Like Gooney Bird Greene, Orchid comes in with style. She has big stories and an exotic air. No one knows exactly where she lives or what has brought her to Fawn Creek. Grayson and Dorothy (Didi) embrace Orchid and the three become fast friends. Others speculate about Orchid while a malicious former classmate begins to dig around in Orchid's past. Opposing forces will clash at a middle school dance in a neighboring town. Kelly writes about the situations in a clear, but gentle manner. The lessons to be learned are caught, not taught. The final chapter in the book is Orchid's "I Am" poem for a class assignment. A wonderful way to end the book.
Thank you to Greenwillow Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
March 3, 2022
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Middle-Grade Fiction
Those Kids From Fawn Creek is the story of the seventh-grade classroom in Fawn Creek school in Louisiana. It is a tiny town with a small population. In this classroom, there are only 12 students. One day, a new kid arrives. Orchid Mason is this mysterious girl who makes everybody wonder where she came from. The kids especially Greyson Broussard and Dorothy Doucet are somehow amazed and thunderstruck by Orchid’s stories and experiences from traveling a lot. However, some of the students are not buying all these stories so they start to dig more into Orchid’s past. They want to know why does this girl disappear into the woods when there are no homes there! They just want to know her secrets and everything about her.
I picked this middle-grade story because I wanted something light and not too dense to read along with my other books. The story is absolutely charming. I loved the small-town atmosphere that the author created. The concept behind the new girl who comes and causes the change of routine was brilliant. The mysterious aura around her even fascinated me as a reader.
The story has many characters but the main POVs are the ones who cause the flow of the story most of the time. I liked the characters a lot. I think the author has made sure to keep them varied and different in their own ways. Yes, at the beginning of the book it might be a chore to keep track of them but as you progress in the story and get immersed that chore is gone.
I appreciate the author including some important themes and subjects in the story such as honesty, being true to yourself and others, friendship, bullying, and middle-grade school melodrama. The ending was awfully endearing. It makes you stop and think about the whole thing asking yourself what would you have done if you were in a similar situation. Let us also appreciate the beautiful cover which is a good representative of the story and the different characters.
Many thanks to the publisher HarperCollins Children's Books, Greenwillow Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book.
Genre: Middle-Grade Fiction
Those Kids From Fawn Creek is the story of the seventh-grade classroom in Fawn Creek school in Louisiana. It is a tiny town with a small population. In this classroom, there are only 12 students. One day, a new kid arrives. Orchid Mason is this mysterious girl who makes everybody wonder where she came from. The kids especially Greyson Broussard and Dorothy Doucet are somehow amazed and thunderstruck by Orchid’s stories and experiences from traveling a lot. However, some of the students are not buying all these stories so they start to dig more into Orchid’s past. They want to know why does this girl disappear into the woods when there are no homes there! They just want to know her secrets and everything about her.
I picked this middle-grade story because I wanted something light and not too dense to read along with my other books. The story is absolutely charming. I loved the small-town atmosphere that the author created. The concept behind the new girl who comes and causes the change of routine was brilliant. The mysterious aura around her even fascinated me as a reader.
The story has many characters but the main POVs are the ones who cause the flow of the story most of the time. I liked the characters a lot. I think the author has made sure to keep them varied and different in their own ways. Yes, at the beginning of the book it might be a chore to keep track of them but as you progress in the story and get immersed that chore is gone.
I appreciate the author including some important themes and subjects in the story such as honesty, being true to yourself and others, friendship, bullying, and middle-grade school melodrama. The ending was awfully endearing. It makes you stop and think about the whole thing asking yourself what would you have done if you were in a similar situation. Let us also appreciate the beautiful cover which is a good representative of the story and the different characters.
Many thanks to the publisher HarperCollins Children's Books, Greenwillow Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book.
June 5, 2023
✰ 4.25 stars ✰
“I understand that I am me.
I say, “I want to live a different life.”
I dream that I will someday.
I try to remember that someday is just around the corner.
I hope that’s true.”
When new girl, Orchid, is the new classmate in Fawn Creek K-12's 7th Grade, Those Kids from Fawn Creek find her an enigma. With an aura of an enigma, with the grandeur of having traveled the far corners of the world, dressing in a style incomparable to the rest, and approaching everyone with the kindness rarely displayed to each other, Orchid doesn't intend to stand out - she doesn't want to make a difference. And yet her arrival, creates a ripple in the balance of the twelve students normal lives that may or may not be exactly what they needed to bring a change to their lives and their hearts - without them ever knowing it.
Erin Entrada Kelly wrote a wonderful Middle-Grade book that gives its readers a powerful poignant reminder of some very important messages, that no matter who we are - a parent, a child, a student, a person - they are some values that we should really never forget.
“It’s good to look people in the eye when you tell them something you want them to remember.”
- Be kind. Be kind to the new kid, be kind to your child, be kind to your friend - you never know what words you can say - with our without spite - can hurt someone's heart.
“She thought the world was all bright and beautiful, but that’s not how things worked all the time, especially not here.”
- Don't be a bully. Don't be a victim to the dark thoughts and the hatred or feel threatened to be a part of something you don't agree or believe in. You never know that what you may think is a joke for a laugh may turn out to be the real deal - with consequences you may not be ready to face.
“Have you ever felt awkward? Have you ever felt like you never know what to say?”
- Listen to your child. Look at them and see the changes they're going through - the feelings they may be afraid to share with you - the thoughts that they want to express with you, but don't know if they can - before it's too late for you to see it.
“—he had never considered kissing her.
“I know we don’t like each other that way,” she added quietly. “But. I guess I’m just wondering . . . I mean . . . Do you think . . .” She swallowed. Her eyes were locked on the ball in her hand. “Will someone think I’m worth kissing someday?”
His throat was suddenly dry. He studied her profile, but only for a second. Then he leaned over and kissed her cheek.
“That’s just until you find your own Victor,” he said. “And get your real first kiss.”
The world around them quieted. She looked at him and smiled. He heard nothing but the steady, peaceful thumping of his heart. Just as he began to wonder what would happen next, she leaned over and kissed him back.
“You, too,” she said.”
- Be a true friend. Friendship - at any age - it is the most treasured and most beautiful gift you could ever have. Friends are the ones, when even your family may not understand you or be by your side - if you can be that friend to support someone - you don't know how much it will mean to them.
I really enjoyed reading this - it spoke with such a clarity and honesty of what it is to be the odd one out, to be the one who wants to fit in, to be just who you are and be accepted as you are. The characters that the author chose to represent those feelings - their voices were distinct and clear. Even in my thirties, the fears and the challenges they faced are things that I can still relate to. I empathized with Greyson's pain of not being understood by his family, being bullied by his brother and called 'Gayson' and mocked for his interests.
I understood Janie's desire to be seen as popular, to be challenged by Orchid's presence, to be too afraid to stand up to a bully who was once a best friend. I saw myself in Dorothy and her inability to fit in, to want a name for herself to be recognizable, to be worthy of someone's attention, to be appreciated. And my heart sympathized with Orchid and her innate desire just to be good from the heart, to be that one voice of conscience and kindness that this class had lost - the unity that they had forgotten that made them share the bonds of friendship.
And most of all, the writing was so very believable - there is nothing I like more that when I'm reading a book, and the tension in a book - the heightened fear of a precedent that is about to happen, something so painful, that you can feel that fear course through your bones. And the build-up to that pivotal crucial point - it gave me that feeling - a tension so palpable that I was afraid of what was to happen next for the characters and in that moment. For, even at the cruelest moments and darkest hours, the writing shined with this hopeful light, this fierce presence of courage and heart - that, if united, if you stand by your beliefs, if you can remember the values of life - you still can be a better person - you can be whoever you want to be.
“She’s gone,” he whispered.
“I know,” Didi said. “But we’re still here.”
“For now,” Greyson said.
“Yes,” Didi replied. “For now.”
I do have to admit, though, that certain aspects of the story did remind me a lot of Stargirl; it wasn't much, but there were a few points that shared some similarities to it, which may have prevented me from enjoying it in its entirety. But, it was still very much worth the read. Much like those kids from Fawn Creek, whose lives were inadvertently affected for the better by Orchid's presence in their world and who felt some renowned hope for their futures, I, too, ended the story with the feeling in my heart, that there is still time for me to grow into be the person I hope to be.
“Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
The world offers itself to your imagination.” — 'Wild Geese' by Mary Oliver
“I understand that I am me.
I say, “I want to live a different life.”
I dream that I will someday.
I try to remember that someday is just around the corner.
I hope that’s true.”
When new girl, Orchid, is the new classmate in Fawn Creek K-12's 7th Grade, Those Kids from Fawn Creek find her an enigma. With an aura of an enigma, with the grandeur of having traveled the far corners of the world, dressing in a style incomparable to the rest, and approaching everyone with the kindness rarely displayed to each other, Orchid doesn't intend to stand out - she doesn't want to make a difference. And yet her arrival, creates a ripple in the balance of the twelve students normal lives that may or may not be exactly what they needed to bring a change to their lives and their hearts - without them ever knowing it.
Erin Entrada Kelly wrote a wonderful Middle-Grade book that gives its readers a powerful poignant reminder of some very important messages, that no matter who we are - a parent, a child, a student, a person - they are some values that we should really never forget.
“It’s good to look people in the eye when you tell them something you want them to remember.”
- Be kind. Be kind to the new kid, be kind to your child, be kind to your friend - you never know what words you can say - with our without spite - can hurt someone's heart.
“She thought the world was all bright and beautiful, but that’s not how things worked all the time, especially not here.”
- Don't be a bully. Don't be a victim to the dark thoughts and the hatred or feel threatened to be a part of something you don't agree or believe in. You never know that what you may think is a joke for a laugh may turn out to be the real deal - with consequences you may not be ready to face.
“Have you ever felt awkward? Have you ever felt like you never know what to say?”
- Listen to your child. Look at them and see the changes they're going through - the feelings they may be afraid to share with you - the thoughts that they want to express with you, but don't know if they can - before it's too late for you to see it.
“—he had never considered kissing her.
“I know we don’t like each other that way,” she added quietly. “But. I guess I’m just wondering . . . I mean . . . Do you think . . .” She swallowed. Her eyes were locked on the ball in her hand. “Will someone think I’m worth kissing someday?”
His throat was suddenly dry. He studied her profile, but only for a second. Then he leaned over and kissed her cheek.
“That’s just until you find your own Victor,” he said. “And get your real first kiss.”
The world around them quieted. She looked at him and smiled. He heard nothing but the steady, peaceful thumping of his heart. Just as he began to wonder what would happen next, she leaned over and kissed him back.
“You, too,” she said.”
- Be a true friend. Friendship - at any age - it is the most treasured and most beautiful gift you could ever have. Friends are the ones, when even your family may not understand you or be by your side - if you can be that friend to support someone - you don't know how much it will mean to them.
I really enjoyed reading this - it spoke with such a clarity and honesty of what it is to be the odd one out, to be the one who wants to fit in, to be just who you are and be accepted as you are. The characters that the author chose to represent those feelings - their voices were distinct and clear. Even in my thirties, the fears and the challenges they faced are things that I can still relate to. I empathized with Greyson's pain of not being understood by his family, being bullied by his brother and called 'Gayson' and mocked for his interests.
I understood Janie's desire to be seen as popular, to be challenged by Orchid's presence, to be too afraid to stand up to a bully who was once a best friend. I saw myself in Dorothy and her inability to fit in, to want a name for herself to be recognizable, to be worthy of someone's attention, to be appreciated. And my heart sympathized with Orchid and her innate desire just to be good from the heart, to be that one voice of conscience and kindness that this class had lost - the unity that they had forgotten that made them share the bonds of friendship.
And most of all, the writing was so very believable - there is nothing I like more that when I'm reading a book, and the tension in a book - the heightened fear of a precedent that is about to happen, something so painful, that you can feel that fear course through your bones. And the build-up to that pivotal crucial point - it gave me that feeling - a tension so palpable that I was afraid of what was to happen next for the characters and in that moment. For, even at the cruelest moments and darkest hours, the writing shined with this hopeful light, this fierce presence of courage and heart - that, if united, if you stand by your beliefs, if you can remember the values of life - you still can be a better person - you can be whoever you want to be.
“She’s gone,” he whispered.
“I know,” Didi said. “But we’re still here.”
“For now,” Greyson said.
“Yes,” Didi replied. “For now.”
I do have to admit, though, that certain aspects of the story did remind me a lot of Stargirl; it wasn't much, but there were a few points that shared some similarities to it, which may have prevented me from enjoying it in its entirety. But, it was still very much worth the read. Much like those kids from Fawn Creek, whose lives were inadvertently affected for the better by Orchid's presence in their world and who felt some renowned hope for their futures, I, too, ended the story with the feeling in my heart, that there is still time for me to grow into be the person I hope to be.
“Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
The world offers itself to your imagination.” — 'Wild Geese' by Mary Oliver
March 13, 2022
The tiny school at Fawn Creek housed twelve seventh grade students until the new girl, Orchid Mason, arrived. Orchid was a fascination to all the kids, who’d never heard of anyone coming from New York City, from Paris – but Orchid did. Greyson and Dorothy became friends with her, with the other kids varying in their admiration. But Janie was jealous, although she didn’t acknowledge that fact to herself.
But the seat that Orchid took in the classroom had belonged to Renni, a girl who’d moved to the school in the next town. She was Janie’s best friend. She was also mean and vindictive. Would Janie listen to Renni when trouble came looming?
Those Kids From Fawn Creek by Erin Estrada Kelly is an interesting look at school in a quiet town, of the reactions of kids who’d grown up with each other, who knew each other’s secrets, and who didn’t know how to react to a new person at their school, in their lives. These kids were all twelve years old and personally I think their ages should have been a little higher. Their focus seemed to be that of fourteen year olds, not twelve. But that’s just my opinion. It was an enjoyable middle grade novel which I’ll pass on to my granddaughters, both twelve. Recommended.
With thanks to Text Publishing for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
But the seat that Orchid took in the classroom had belonged to Renni, a girl who’d moved to the school in the next town. She was Janie’s best friend. She was also mean and vindictive. Would Janie listen to Renni when trouble came looming?
Those Kids From Fawn Creek by Erin Estrada Kelly is an interesting look at school in a quiet town, of the reactions of kids who’d grown up with each other, who knew each other’s secrets, and who didn’t know how to react to a new person at their school, in their lives. These kids were all twelve years old and personally I think their ages should have been a little higher. Their focus seemed to be that of fourteen year olds, not twelve. But that’s just my opinion. It was an enjoyable middle grade novel which I’ll pass on to my granddaughters, both twelve. Recommended.
With thanks to Text Publishing for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2022
Actual rating: 4.5
Erin Entrada Kelly does it again! In this book she holds our hand and invites us to observe these kids from Fawn Creek when a mysterious girl moves into town as they individually navigate learning about their identity despite having varied backgrounds. As always, Erin Entrada Kelly never preaches but gives us a lot of food for thought with regards to what these kids are going through. My personal favorite in this book is Greyson Broussard, whose character arc hit incredibly close to home. I do wish the ending packed a little bit more of a punch, but I'm learning that the author's style tends more to the gentler side of things. Still, I consider this book as a favorite.
I would highly recommend this to anyone, but particularly if you love Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl.
Erin Entrada Kelly does it again! In this book she holds our hand and invites us to observe these kids from Fawn Creek when a mysterious girl moves into town as they individually navigate learning about their identity despite having varied backgrounds. As always, Erin Entrada Kelly never preaches but gives us a lot of food for thought with regards to what these kids are going through. My personal favorite in this book is Greyson Broussard, whose character arc hit incredibly close to home. I do wish the ending packed a little bit more of a punch, but I'm learning that the author's style tends more to the gentler side of things. Still, I consider this book as a favorite.
I would highly recommend this to anyone, but particularly if you love Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl.
March 1, 2022
Those Kids from Fawn Creek is a gorgeously written, character-driven, slice-of-life middle grade book about bullying and the power of kindness. Set in a small town and told from multiple points of view, this book is impressively immersive and engaging. Once you start to these Fawn Creek kids, you’ll never want to leave — and when you do leave, they’ll stay with you forever. I’d definitely recommend this one for older middle grade readers ages 10 and up.
Read my full review on my blog.
Many thanks to the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read my full review on my blog.
Many thanks to the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2022
When I read a book by Erin Entrada Kelly, I'm most struck not only by her incredible writing, zooming right into a story in some inventive way, but by how she writes with empathy and truth. She has empathy for her characters—even the ones we may dislike. Certainly the ones who struggle. And she writes with truth—even when it's difficult truth like meanness or parents who are either graceless or downright harmful to their kids.
August 12, 2022
Erin Entrada Kelly really hasn't written a singular book that I didn't end up enjoying to the fullest and I love that for her.
Things that I loved about this book:
- The almost "slice of life" vibe, and how it portrays the often complex mix of idyllic and challenging that children experience. Those Kids From Fawn Creek is one of the most gentle, compassionate portrayals of childhood I've ever seen. If I had kids, this would be the book I read to them (along with Erin Entrada Kelly's other books of course, but I would start with this one).
- The portrayal of the desire to leave a small hometown behind, and the ache for something new and fun and exciting. That's something all people can relate to, not just kids.
- On the other hand, it also juxtaposes that desire with the need for stability. Living somewhere fun and fast-paced can be exciting, and traveling frequently is definitely a thrilling experience. But there's also something really beautiful about the mundanity of being home, and of having one in the first place.
- Erin Entrada Kelly writes all of characters with empathy. Even the ones we're meant to dislike. In every word she writes, I truly feel the compassion and care she has for children. She really is one of the greatest middle grade authors of all time and the way she portrays kids in her books is proof positive of that.
Things that I loved about this book:
- The almost "slice of life" vibe, and how it portrays the often complex mix of idyllic and challenging that children experience. Those Kids From Fawn Creek is one of the most gentle, compassionate portrayals of childhood I've ever seen. If I had kids, this would be the book I read to them (along with Erin Entrada Kelly's other books of course, but I would start with this one).
- The portrayal of the desire to leave a small hometown behind, and the ache for something new and fun and exciting. That's something all people can relate to, not just kids.
- On the other hand, it also juxtaposes that desire with the need for stability. Living somewhere fun and fast-paced can be exciting, and traveling frequently is definitely a thrilling experience. But there's also something really beautiful about the mundanity of being home, and of having one in the first place.
- Erin Entrada Kelly writes all of characters with empathy. Even the ones we're meant to dislike. In every word she writes, I truly feel the compassion and care she has for children. She really is one of the greatest middle grade authors of all time and the way she portrays kids in her books is proof positive of that.
October 9, 2022
If you think you live in or grew up in a small town, this might be the book for you.
Fawn Creek, Louisiana is so small, there are only 12 students in the grade. Then there is a 13th student, Orchid Mason, an enigma . Who is this new girl? Where did she come from? What brings her to Fawn Creek of all places? When the entire class attends a school dance in a neighboring Grand Saintlodge, their loyalties to each other and a former classmate are tested.
Told from multiple characters' points of view, those who like stories about school and/or stories about the drama in young teens' lives will want to give this one a try.
Fawn Creek, Louisiana is so small, there are only 12 students in the grade. Then there is a 13th student, Orchid Mason, an enigma . Who is this new girl? Where did she come from? What brings her to Fawn Creek of all places? When the entire class attends a school dance in a neighboring Grand Saintlodge, their loyalties to each other and a former classmate are tested.
Told from multiple characters' points of view, those who like stories about school and/or stories about the drama in young teens' lives will want to give this one a try.
September 3, 2022
I don't think it's possible for Erin Entrada Kelly to write a book I won't like, if not adore. (Well, if she made it a personal goal, I'm sure she would then succeed because she's just that good.) I love the efficiency in her writing style--she paints such vivid characters and interesting stories with precise, well-chosen words. The result is effortless reading, and Those Kids from Fawn Creek is no exception. Loved the characters, loved visiting Fawn Creek, and this one even has a touch of mystery. Highly recommend!
April 28, 2022
Fawn Creek is a small rural town, everyone knows everything about everyone else. If the town is small, the school is even smaller. The 12 kids in the class have been together since they all went to kindergarten together, and now they are all still together. Nothing changes. They know their places, they know how it goes. But then, out of the blue, a new girl arrives in town. She joins their class and she is the most exotic person they've ever met. She is well-travelled, she's lived an awesome life, she doesn't think like the rest of the kids and they are all intrigued by her. Everyone thinks she is so cool, with a flower in her hair and stories to tell of places like New York and Paris.
At first, everyone is intrigued, then Orchid befriends the class outcasts, and then she is treated with suspicion. Orchid defies all the expectations that the kids in this class have. She just doesn't care what they think of her. Of course, petty jealousy and meanness rear their heads and all of a sudden gossip and nasty stories start to circulate about Orchid. Why is she so reluctant to have people visit her at home? Her friends Greyson and Dorothy are put under pressure. Will they stick with their new friend? Will Orchid be strong enough to withstand the rivalry from others?
I just loved this book, it really felt just right in terms of tone and the characters were so relatable. Anyone whose been the new kid will relate to this. Anyone who has been bullied and had to stand up for their friendship will relate, and lots of rural kids will understand the politics of living somewhere where everyone knows everything about you. This would be a wonderful read-aloud for middle school students, it has such a friendly, warm feeling while dealing with some big issues, and I'm so delighted that Text Publishing sent me a copy.
At first, everyone is intrigued, then Orchid befriends the class outcasts, and then she is treated with suspicion. Orchid defies all the expectations that the kids in this class have. She just doesn't care what they think of her. Of course, petty jealousy and meanness rear their heads and all of a sudden gossip and nasty stories start to circulate about Orchid. Why is she so reluctant to have people visit her at home? Her friends Greyson and Dorothy are put under pressure. Will they stick with their new friend? Will Orchid be strong enough to withstand the rivalry from others?
I just loved this book, it really felt just right in terms of tone and the characters were so relatable. Anyone whose been the new kid will relate to this. Anyone who has been bullied and had to stand up for their friendship will relate, and lots of rural kids will understand the politics of living somewhere where everyone knows everything about you. This would be a wonderful read-aloud for middle school students, it has such a friendly, warm feeling while dealing with some big issues, and I'm so delighted that Text Publishing sent me a copy.
June 27, 2022
As always, Kelly does an amazing job with MG voice. What is special about this book is that the point of view varies between very different characters who all have different motivations, fears, strengths, and weaknesses, and Kelly still manages to make all of those voices authentic. The one major exception to this is Orchid, who doesn't really get to have her voice heard at all. This is part of the construct of the novel as the book is about the kids from Fawn Creek, and Orchid is not from there. She moves there and changes their lives. She is absolutely a MPDG but not in a trite, stereotypical way that is the result of bad character construction. Underpinning this whole book is how the ways other people see us shapes how we see ourselves. When someone comes and disrupts that, it causes a crisis of sorts that will result in either redefining who we think we are or helping us to realize that we have only been living to other's expectations rather than who we really are. This is Orchid's function in the lives of the 7th graders at Fawn Creek. I would very much love to have her get her own story some day.
I love that Kelly shows both the pros and cons of living in a small community. At the same time she also gets that Gen Z thinks and processes social structures and strictures very differently than the generations that have come before them regardless of where they live, and you can definitely see that in contrast to how the adults are handling all of the upheaval in the novel. (Though kids like Renni definitely still exist, and her vindictiveness and spite is not at all exaggerated. I know some kids like her. They have a lot less power than they did once though because, as I said, Gen Z does not process social strictures the same way, so the ending of this novel, which once upon a time would have been wishful thinking, is completely believable.)
I love that Kelly shows both the pros and cons of living in a small community. At the same time she also gets that Gen Z thinks and processes social structures and strictures very differently than the generations that have come before them regardless of where they live, and you can definitely see that in contrast to how the adults are handling all of the upheaval in the novel. (Though kids like Renni definitely still exist, and her vindictiveness and spite is not at all exaggerated. I know some kids like her. They have a lot less power than they did once though because, as I said, Gen Z does not process social strictures the same way, so the ending of this novel, which once upon a time would have been wishful thinking, is completely believable.)
September 28, 2025
Why was this book ending so sad.... 🥺😭
January 25, 2022
When I saw this on Net Galley, I snatched it up and put it on the top of my TBR pile. I am a huge Erin Entrada Kelly fan, and, as it turns out, I think this is her best book yet.
This book is written from the multiple perspectives of the seventh graders of Fawn Creek--every single one of them--who number only about a dozen. EEK gets middle schoolers like few other authors. Even though all the characters live in a tiny town that hardly anyone ever escapes, each is lovingly portrayed as a fascinating, authentic, and unique individual. It's a quiet, simple story, centered around the arrival of a new girl who seems exciting and mysterious but is also remarkably kind. EEK excels at realistic stories that explore the complex feelings of tweens negotiating their conflicting desires to fit in and stand out, to be exactly like everyone else but also like no one else. This should be a staple at every middle school, and would make an excellent read-aloud. As a school librarian, I cannot wait to share this with my students.
This book is written from the multiple perspectives of the seventh graders of Fawn Creek--every single one of them--who number only about a dozen. EEK gets middle schoolers like few other authors. Even though all the characters live in a tiny town that hardly anyone ever escapes, each is lovingly portrayed as a fascinating, authentic, and unique individual. It's a quiet, simple story, centered around the arrival of a new girl who seems exciting and mysterious but is also remarkably kind. EEK excels at realistic stories that explore the complex feelings of tweens negotiating their conflicting desires to fit in and stand out, to be exactly like everyone else but also like no one else. This should be a staple at every middle school, and would make an excellent read-aloud. As a school librarian, I cannot wait to share this with my students.
April 17, 2022
There was so much to love about this book. I work in a school only slightly bigger than Fawn Creek and the author has done a fabulous job portraying small town life. I love Didi and Greyson and Orchid. They were fabulous characters and I wish that the book could have focused on them more.
One complaint I have of this book is it is way too long. There are so many scenes that could be taken out, because they don’t really matter.
My other complaint is that the ending is so rushed. This could stem from the fact that the rest of the book is too long.
One complaint I have of this book is it is way too long. There are so many scenes that could be taken out, because they don’t really matter.
My other complaint is that the ending is so rushed. This could stem from the fact that the rest of the book is too long.
July 7, 2022
This is such a beautifully written character driven story about a group of twelve 7th grade kids in a tiny town in Louisiana. They've all known each other since kindergarten. Sometimes that's a good thing because it can build very close and strong bonds and give a kid a best friend for life who will always have their back. It can also do the opposite and give someone plenty of information about them to use as ammunition to take that kid down and build themselves up. By 7th grade everyone knows their place and how to stay there. So, what if suddenly there's a new girl in class named Orchid who wears a flower behind her ear? She seems so different and exotic and worldly, especially with the fantastic stories she tells about living in Paris. Where does she fit in? Will she hang out with the clique of rich girls who are at the top of the hierarchy, or does she fit in better with the God Squad, or some of the other kids? Everyone is intrigued by her and her amazing stories. Which group will claim her? Which group does she gravitate to? Is she just the change the town needs to shake things up and open people's eyes? Will people want to change? I loved so many of these characters. I hurt for many of them, especially Greyson. It pained me how much bullying he endured at home from his brother and father who thought it was funny to call him Gayson instead of Greyson because of his love of fashion. And that clique of girls that think they're all that? Yeah, there's a whole bunch of bullying there too, and it was definitely painful what was said and done to other kids because of them. The day I picked up this book I said I was only going to read 3 or 4 chapters, then put it down to get work done around the house. Ha! Like that was going to happen! I never got up from my chair. Okay, maybe once to use the bathroom and get something to eat. But that was it. I was staying put. I loved the kids, I loved the story, I needed to find out how it all played out. This is my 6th book by Erin Entrada Kelly. I've loved all of them, but this one grabbed my heart more than any of the others. I can't exactly explain why, but this one just really got to me.
August 31, 2024
Sweet. The world needs more wandering Orchids.
April 17, 2022
What a terrific story. It kept my interest from cover to cover. The characters were excellent and the story was well paced.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
March 27, 2022
Richie’s Picks: THOSE KIDS FROM FAWN CREEK by Erin Entrada Kelly, HarperCollins/Greenwillow, March 2022, 336p., ISBN: 98-0-06-297035-0
“There must be some kind of way outta here
Said the joker to the thief
There's too much confusion
I can't get no relief”
– Bob Dylan (1967)
“I should think some of you could forget your everlasting Iowa stubbornness long enough to remember what this town was like before Harold Hill came. Do you?”
– Marian the Librarian from The Music Man (1962)
“In a small town like Fawn Creek–known as ‘Yawn Creek’ by most of them–you’d think they would have known a new student was on her way. But Orchid caught them all off guard. Mr. Agosto was the only one who wasn’t completely perplexed. When she knocked on the door, he waved her in and said, ‘Join us, join us!’ like they were in the midst of a grand adventure and not enduring a language arts lesson.
When Orchid Mason walked into the classroom, Dorothy thought: She is the girl in the fairy tale who drifts through a meadow and finds a prince.
Or a spindle.”
Attractive and sophisticated Orchid Mason suddenly appears in the small town of Fawn Creek, Louisiana, where the dozen seventh graders in Mr. Agosto’s classroom have known one another since they were all rugrats. Orchid arrives in their very-white, parochial burg by way of New York and Paris.
The story is told primarily through the eyes of Greyson Broussard and Dorothy Doucet, long-time, super-close best friends who, nevertheless, don’t feel “that way” about one another. Dorothy is a quiet and shy only child with emotionally distant, older parents. Greyson has to endure a physically and verbally abusive older brother who, along with their father, regularly questions Greyson’s masculinity. These are two kids who are hoping there’s more to life than what Fawn Creek offers.
Grayson and Dorothy’s classmates fall into the usual cliques–the jocks; the girls who think they are all that; the kids that all the popular ones dump on; and the “God Squad” girls (as they call themselves). As the story progresses, we learn about the struggles and motivations of each of the students in the class. We also get to know about Renni, a former student who has recently moved to a larger neighboring town. Having enjoyed this tale’s many revelations and twists, I am intentionally being vague about the plot. This is my favorite by Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly. Middle graders are going to eat it up.
In addition to being a can’t-put-it-down book, THOSE KIDS FROM FAWN CREEK is an important story because of the manner in which it deals with bullying.
“Students who are bullied are around 2 to 9 times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims. A study in Britain found that at least half of suicides among young people are related to bullying. 10 to 14 year old teen girls are most likely to commit suicide based on this study. According to ABC News, nearly 30% of students are either victims of bullies or bullies themselves and 160,000 kids stay home from school every day because they are scared of being bullied.”
– Wikipedia “Bullying and Suicide”
For me, the Hell of Seventh Grade was a period of verbal and physical abuse that I’ve never encountered before or since. It still hurts. For some unsuspecting tween today, who will soon be facing similar circumstances, experiencing fictional characters who are navigating these sorts of treacherous social situations can make all the difference in the world. That’s why I urge you to read and share THOSE KIDS FROM FAWN CREEK. I guarantee you that somewhere, in the coming years, getting this book into the right hands is going to save some kid’s life.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
https://twitter.com/richiespicks
richiepartington@gmail.com
“There must be some kind of way outta here
Said the joker to the thief
There's too much confusion
I can't get no relief”
– Bob Dylan (1967)
“I should think some of you could forget your everlasting Iowa stubbornness long enough to remember what this town was like before Harold Hill came. Do you?”
– Marian the Librarian from The Music Man (1962)
“In a small town like Fawn Creek–known as ‘Yawn Creek’ by most of them–you’d think they would have known a new student was on her way. But Orchid caught them all off guard. Mr. Agosto was the only one who wasn’t completely perplexed. When she knocked on the door, he waved her in and said, ‘Join us, join us!’ like they were in the midst of a grand adventure and not enduring a language arts lesson.
When Orchid Mason walked into the classroom, Dorothy thought: She is the girl in the fairy tale who drifts through a meadow and finds a prince.
Or a spindle.”
Attractive and sophisticated Orchid Mason suddenly appears in the small town of Fawn Creek, Louisiana, where the dozen seventh graders in Mr. Agosto’s classroom have known one another since they were all rugrats. Orchid arrives in their very-white, parochial burg by way of New York and Paris.
The story is told primarily through the eyes of Greyson Broussard and Dorothy Doucet, long-time, super-close best friends who, nevertheless, don’t feel “that way” about one another. Dorothy is a quiet and shy only child with emotionally distant, older parents. Greyson has to endure a physically and verbally abusive older brother who, along with their father, regularly questions Greyson’s masculinity. These are two kids who are hoping there’s more to life than what Fawn Creek offers.
Grayson and Dorothy’s classmates fall into the usual cliques–the jocks; the girls who think they are all that; the kids that all the popular ones dump on; and the “God Squad” girls (as they call themselves). As the story progresses, we learn about the struggles and motivations of each of the students in the class. We also get to know about Renni, a former student who has recently moved to a larger neighboring town. Having enjoyed this tale’s many revelations and twists, I am intentionally being vague about the plot. This is my favorite by Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly. Middle graders are going to eat it up.
In addition to being a can’t-put-it-down book, THOSE KIDS FROM FAWN CREEK is an important story because of the manner in which it deals with bullying.
“Students who are bullied are around 2 to 9 times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims. A study in Britain found that at least half of suicides among young people are related to bullying. 10 to 14 year old teen girls are most likely to commit suicide based on this study. According to ABC News, nearly 30% of students are either victims of bullies or bullies themselves and 160,000 kids stay home from school every day because they are scared of being bullied.”
– Wikipedia “Bullying and Suicide”
For me, the Hell of Seventh Grade was a period of verbal and physical abuse that I’ve never encountered before or since. It still hurts. For some unsuspecting tween today, who will soon be facing similar circumstances, experiencing fictional characters who are navigating these sorts of treacherous social situations can make all the difference in the world. That’s why I urge you to read and share THOSE KIDS FROM FAWN CREEK. I guarantee you that somewhere, in the coming years, getting this book into the right hands is going to save some kid’s life.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
https://twitter.com/richiespicks
richiepartington@gmail.com
May 20, 2022
Nothing new ever comes to Fawn Creek, Louisiana. Every day is exactly the same . . . until Orchid Mason arrives.
March 31, 2022
Oh, I absolutely loved this one. I do think paper is the best way to read it— there are a lot of characters to keep track of and I was grateful to be able to flip back to see who was who in earlier pages. But it’s a lovely story— about friendship and doing the right thing, and knowing who you are. Beautifully written, too.
March 25, 2022
This portrait of a handful of kids in a VERY small town in Louisiana is an emotional snapshot that shows all. The reaction of a new girl's arrival, her mysterious background, but more importantly, her kindness, will shape and change these kids forever. There's an emotional punch at the end, but the joy of getting to know this group of sixth graders of all types is worth the journey.
May 10, 2022
This unique novel focuses on middle school kids in a small, rural town in Louisiana. The main characters are Dorothy and Grayson, but the book rotates through the perspectives of all the kids in their class, and the characters are mostly distinct and realistic. Even though I tend to be critical of books with too many viewpoint switches, the many different perspectives support this story and include meaningful subplots.
My favorite thing about this book is how the author handles Grayson's character. She explores his challenges as a sensitive male whose father and brother constantly belittle him, and she engages with his deep, complex feelings about life without putting an identity label on him. He could be gay, or he could be a highly sensitive straight boy who likes more stereotypically feminine things. I appreciate the author's nuanced portrayal and her willingness to keep this ambiguous, instead of going with the usual sensitive male = gay assumption common in current middle grade books.
My main critique is the book's length. It is much longer than necessary, and then the ending is extremely abrupt. I think this book would be stronger if the author had eliminated some of the scenes that didn't contribute to the plot in a major way, especially since some of the side characters' stories and struggles never get resolved, and had spent time exploring some of the implications of the climax before abruptly ending the book.
My favorite thing about this book is how the author handles Grayson's character. She explores his challenges as a sensitive male whose father and brother constantly belittle him, and she engages with his deep, complex feelings about life without putting an identity label on him. He could be gay, or he could be a highly sensitive straight boy who likes more stereotypically feminine things. I appreciate the author's nuanced portrayal and her willingness to keep this ambiguous, instead of going with the usual sensitive male = gay assumption common in current middle grade books.
My main critique is the book's length. It is much longer than necessary, and then the ending is extremely abrupt. I think this book would be stronger if the author had eliminated some of the scenes that didn't contribute to the plot in a major way, especially since some of the side characters' stories and struggles never get resolved, and had spent time exploring some of the implications of the climax before abruptly ending the book.
November 15, 2021
In many ways, Those Kids from Fawn Creek is a modern update of Eleanor Estes' classic children's book The Hundred Dresses. It tackles a few more issues, such as Grayson's love of fashion and how he's shamed by his father and older brother for being insufficiently masculine by their measure, but at its heart it's about the same things as Estes' work: the need to dream about being someone (or somewhere) different and how we need to stand up against the bullies of the world when they try to tell us that there's something wrong with those things.
Like all good middle grade novels, Kelly's book is enjoyable whether you're just learning the lessons the characters are or whether you learned them seventy years ago. Seeing Janie realize (almost too late) that people like Renni aren't real friends and observing Orchid's manic pixie dream girl act are familiar no matter when you first noticed people doing these things, and Kelly writes with an intelligence that keeps the story from feeling like a "very special episode" sort of story, even though it is very much imparting a lesson or two. It's a little bittersweet towards the end, but also just a genuinely good book that has a very human core - even if we have to acknowledge that being human isn't always the easiest thing or done particularly well by all of us all the time.
Like all good middle grade novels, Kelly's book is enjoyable whether you're just learning the lessons the characters are or whether you learned them seventy years ago. Seeing Janie realize (almost too late) that people like Renni aren't real friends and observing Orchid's manic pixie dream girl act are familiar no matter when you first noticed people doing these things, and Kelly writes with an intelligence that keeps the story from feeling like a "very special episode" sort of story, even though it is very much imparting a lesson or two. It's a little bittersweet towards the end, but also just a genuinely good book that has a very human core - even if we have to acknowledge that being human isn't always the easiest thing or done particularly well by all of us all the time.
March 4, 2022
Kelly is a master at creating realistic, relatable characters that feel as if they don't fit in. Dorothy, a quiet only child of older parents in a silent home is best friends with Grayson. He is the opposite of his macho older brother who delights in punching him and calling Grayson "little sister" along with other effeminate, crude names. Grayson hates duck hunting and would really like to learn how to sew and construct his inventive fashion designs from a secret sketchbook. Dorothy freezes up, hiding behind her hair, barely able to speak with others. Both friends dream of moving far away from backwater Fawn Creek, Louisiana until Orchid Mason comes to town. Kind, lovely, and a born storyteller, she helps Didi (Dorothy always longed for a nickname.) and her other 7th grade classmates appreciate their strengths and attributes. Sadly, the book is weighed down by the oppressive meanness and small-minded cruelty of Renni, Janie, and other insular clique members who live to insult and tear others down. Their negative energy threatens to destroy the three friends, but at least they find understanding and support from most of their classmates and strive for the first time to be their true, authentic selves in public.
July 21, 2024
Told from the perspective of a class of 12 students upon meeting the new girl Orchid. I loved every perspective…how most of them discovered that the new girl brought out more in them than they knew they were capable of. And when the big climactic scene comes, you cheer them on and pray really hard that your own children, when they reach that age, use their kind hearts in the ways you are trying to teach them. This was such a wonderful story.
September 6, 2021
EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Oh my. This will be such a great read aloud choice, particularly at the beginning of a school year as many students experience starting at a new school where established friendships and cliques exist. A follow up suggestion is The Hundred Dresses- set in a much different time period.
Oh my. This will be such a great read aloud choice, particularly at the beginning of a school year as many students experience starting at a new school where established friendships and cliques exist. A follow up suggestion is The Hundred Dresses- set in a much different time period.
July 1, 2022
So much to this book-but friendship and hope are what keep you reading. How many of us have been one of the kids from Fawn Creek? Who has had the courage to stand up for ourselves or for our friends? Friendship and hope. I’d like to be friends with those kids from Fawn Creek.
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