What do you think?
Rate this book
Sisters Eight #6
Petal's Problems
Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh, no! May is almost over and that means only one thing: Petal's month is about to begin. For most people, this would be a good thing. They would look forward to discovering their gift and their power. But not our dear Petal. As far as Petal is concerned, it could stay May forever.
At least the sisters have some excitement in their future: The wedding of Aunt Martha and Uncle George will bring them, the Petes, and the cats to Paris, where fun--and a little bit of danger--will come as surely as the changing of the month.
"thrills, suspence and hijinks should satisfy adventure-seeking young readers." Kirkus Readers
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
37 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Baratz-Logsted
53 books471 followersLauren grew up in Monroe, CT, where her father owned a drugstore at which her mother was the pharmacist. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut at Storrs, where she majored in psychology. She also has what she calls her “half-Masters” in English from Western Connecticut State University (five courses down, another five to go…someday!).
Throughout college, she worked semester breaks as a doughnut salesperson, a job that she swears gave her white lung disease from all the powdered sugar she breathed.
Upon graduation, she began work at the venerable independent spacebookseller, now sadly defunct as such, Klein’s of Westport. There, she bought and sold for the better part of 11 years.
In November 1994, Lauren left the bookstore to finally take a chance on herself as a writer. Success did not happen over night. Between 1994 and May 2002 – when Red Dress Ink called with an offer to buy THE THIN PINK LINE – Lauren worked as a book reviewer, a freelance editor and writer, and a window washer, making her arguably the only woman in the world who has ever both hosted a book signing party and washed the windows of the late best-selling novelist Robert Ludlum.
Since Red Dress Ink’s call in 2002, Lauren has been kept very busy with writing more novels and checking her Amazon ranking on a daily basis. She still lives in Danbury, with her husband and daughter, where she has lived since 1991.
In addition to writing, Lauren’s daughter keeps her busy, accounting for the rest of her time.
Lauren’s favorite color is green.
Lauren’s favorite non-cat animals are penguins.
Lauren wants you to know that, however you are pronouncing her last name, you are probably pronouncing it wrong.
Throughout college, she worked semester breaks as a doughnut salesperson, a job that she swears gave her white lung disease from all the powdered sugar she breathed.
Upon graduation, she began work at the venerable independent spacebookseller, now sadly defunct as such, Klein’s of Westport. There, she bought and sold for the better part of 11 years.
In November 1994, Lauren left the bookstore to finally take a chance on herself as a writer. Success did not happen over night. Between 1994 and May 2002 – when Red Dress Ink called with an offer to buy THE THIN PINK LINE – Lauren worked as a book reviewer, a freelance editor and writer, and a window washer, making her arguably the only woman in the world who has ever both hosted a book signing party and washed the windows of the late best-selling novelist Robert Ludlum.
Since Red Dress Ink’s call in 2002, Lauren has been kept very busy with writing more novels and checking her Amazon ranking on a daily basis. She still lives in Danbury, with her husband and daughter, where she has lived since 1991.
In addition to writing, Lauren’s daughter keeps her busy, accounting for the rest of her time.
Lauren’s favorite color is green.
Lauren’s favorite non-cat animals are penguins.
Lauren wants you to know that, however you are pronouncing her last name, you are probably pronouncing it wrong.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 10, 2011
It's getting closer and closer to the end... we can hardly wait!!
July 5, 2012
This is the sixth book in the Sisters Eight series by Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Greg Logsted, and Jackie Logsted. Our oldest daughter discovered the first book of this series recently at our local library and fell in love immediately. We've borrowed the next few books in the series and she's read several of them quickly in succession. I enjoy reading the stories after she does and discussing the plots with her.
We read the last book together, but for some reason, I would quickly fall asleep while reading it. I guess I just didn't enjoy it as much as the others. Or it just didn't lend itself to reading aloud. In any case, I told her that she should read the remaining books on her own. I think we'll both enjoy the stories more that way. I know I do.
Our oldest also visited the Sisters Eight website and took the "Which 'Eight' Are You?" Quiz (in the Sisters tab) and discovered that she's most like Jackie. So she was very excited to read this book. Now she's got her sister interested in which eight she would be (perhaps Rebecca, or maybe Zinnia.)
I found the story to be strange, but interesting and I can see that this series would appeal to a young elementary school-age child just getting into reading longer chapter books. The story occasionally interacts with the reader, usually foreshadowing dramatic parts that will follow later in the book. Petal seems to be the most annoying of the Eights, but her power is interesting, at least. The book has a suspenseful and mysterious plot and and our oldest is so excited to read the last few books.
The stories have a pattern that is both predictable (it's even mentioned in the story) and reassuring. In each book, one of the eight girls discovers her power and gets a gift within the span of a month - the series order goes from the oldest to the youngest octuplet. So with this book we are approaching the end of the series (although I did notice there is a ninth book, so we'll have to see what that's about.)
We read the last book together, but for some reason, I would quickly fall asleep while reading it. I guess I just didn't enjoy it as much as the others. Or it just didn't lend itself to reading aloud. In any case, I told her that she should read the remaining books on her own. I think we'll both enjoy the stories more that way. I know I do.
Our oldest also visited the Sisters Eight website and took the "Which 'Eight' Are You?" Quiz (in the Sisters tab) and discovered that she's most like Jackie. So she was very excited to read this book. Now she's got her sister interested in which eight she would be (perhaps Rebecca, or maybe Zinnia.)
I found the story to be strange, but interesting and I can see that this series would appeal to a young elementary school-age child just getting into reading longer chapter books. The story occasionally interacts with the reader, usually foreshadowing dramatic parts that will follow later in the book. Petal seems to be the most annoying of the Eights, but her power is interesting, at least. The book has a suspenseful and mysterious plot and and our oldest is so excited to read the last few books.
The stories have a pattern that is both predictable (it's even mentioned in the story) and reassuring. In each book, one of the eight girls discovers her power and gets a gift within the span of a month - the series order goes from the oldest to the youngest octuplet. So with this book we are approaching the end of the series (although I did notice there is a ninth book, so we'll have to see what that's about.)
December 28, 2014
Another disappointing story in the Series. The story still pushes too far the line between acceptable suspension of reality for that whimsical indulgence of fantasy versions of life and unbelievability and outright negation of real life. It also pushed this line so much I found the scenarios to seem almost stupid and annoying. Also, this situation/issue between believability and fantasy could have been completely remedied had the storyline with the Petes taken a different turn in Marcia's Madness. That could have kept the fantasy but not pushed passed believability. Also, it has become annoying that at Book 6 there is still no progress in the mystery of the parents’ disappearance. The powers and gifts are unfolding but that other storyline is stagnate and so the books are beginning to feel tedious. It would have been much better if with every book there was more development of the mystery. There have been more questions, but nothing that really furthers this storyline. We need some “Aha’s!” but they are just not there. Again, hopefully, this is just another off book in a good series. I'll keep reading as I do really like the Eights and the narration is great.
October 26, 2016
It's now petal's month, but will she ever come out from under her bed. Aunt Martha and Uncle George are getting married (In France). They figure out away to attend the wedding. And they make it to France, but what is waiting for them in France. The wedding is put on pause when something goes terribly wrong. Petal has to be brave and use her powers to save the day.
I think petal changes a lot in this story She is usually a scaredy cat. will Petal go to school. At the beginning when her moth starts she is hiding under her bed. Every morning Rebecca has to pull her out. Only will Petal go to school. You will be surprised that by the end she has a little spark of braveness in her. She is still petal, but not so paranoid.
There is only a few things I dis-like. I don't like how Petal is under her bed for most of the story. But I like how she changes. I also dis-like how She worries to much. But i Like the Power and gift she ends up with. But, now the month is over and it's time for Rebecca's month.
I think petal changes a lot in this story She is usually a scaredy cat. will Petal go to school. At the beginning when her moth starts she is hiding under her bed. Every morning Rebecca has to pull her out. Only will Petal go to school. You will be surprised that by the end she has a little spark of braveness in her. She is still petal, but not so paranoid.
There is only a few things I dis-like. I don't like how Petal is under her bed for most of the story. But I like how she changes. I also dis-like how She worries to much. But i Like the Power and gift she ends up with. But, now the month is over and it's time for Rebecca's month.
July 14, 2014
The Offspring each received their signed copies, and so far two of us have finished reading it. Yes, they and I feel a special kinship with the books, being present at the beginning. I've got no objectivity, and I know it. We love the sisters, the powers, the gifts, the mysteries, the humor, the cats, the mad science. Probably this is printed in the best font ever.
August 15, 2012
I can't help it. Even though sometimes Petal's little idiosyncrasies are REALLY annoying and a few of the sisters are constantly snipping at each other ... I still like these books! Surprising little lines along the way make me laugh.
January 22, 2016
petal has gained her power now and petal does not want her power but it came to her and if you want to know what her power is and what her gift is you will have to read the book the book is really good
April 24, 2018
Book six of the series and yes you know the formula and what will happen, but it has the ability to make to fish each time, by the nature of the differences in characters, and it is still quite hilarious.
January 28, 2020
I really liked this one! Petal was just super annoying. I feel like she wasn't this annoying in the beginning. I mean all of them have taken on extreme versions of themselves in the beginning. It's quite sad.
Read
June 8, 2011Younger girls
February 12, 2012
A very loose three stars. Didn't enjoy it as much as the rest of the series. Probly cause Petal's character drives me batty.
October 23, 2011
Wow!
I wonder how Petal would be if I saw her in real life!?
She is a screaming noisy girl!
I wonder how Petal would be if I saw her in real life!?
She is a screaming noisy girl!
July 8, 2012
We've heard about
Annie, Durinda, Georgia, Jakie, and even Marcia, but now it's time to let the "child" of the family shine, if ever faces the fact that she can't stay under her bed forever
Annie, Durinda, Georgia, Jakie, and even Marcia, but now it's time to let the "child" of the family shine, if ever faces the fact that she can't stay under her bed forever
October 25, 2012
Can't remember library books ever having had such heavy usage at our house! In three weeks, I've read the series once, but C is halfway through a third round already!
November 15, 2013
i like the part when Petal the scare-dy cat saves Rebecca her sister who she doesn't like.
September 18, 2014
These books really are so very fun, and although they're short, they're very enjoyable.
October 4, 2014
The books in the series are weakening in progression. Also, I really do need to turn "Rebecca sneered" into a drinking game.
September 21, 2018
An extremely exciting adventure for this series. My children and I really enjoyed this book.
March 23, 2020
Another goodin'
October 22, 2023
It is June. School’s out, the sisters Eight are invited to a wedding in France, and Petal gets her powers. She has the good sense to be scared of her powers, which makes sense, because she can read people’s minds. At the Parisian wedding, where the sisters��� mother’s brother and their father’s sister are getting married, Crazy Serena kidnaps Rebecca, who keeps bullying Pearl. Pearl and the others rescue her for some reason.
Pearl is characterized by being scared of everything. It gets a bit annoying at first, but it actually makes Pearl seem rational. After all, her parents have disappeared (or died) and she can read people’s minds now. Minds are terrible things to read. Over the course of this book, Pearl gets some character development and becomes braver. It’s a good lesson, that you can be scared, and that courage is overcoming your fears.
Pearl’s awards:
Most girly.
Most sensitive.
Most likely to end up with Will Simms.
Will probably become an artist in adulthood.
Pearl is characterized by being scared of everything. It gets a bit annoying at first, but it actually makes Pearl seem rational. After all, her parents have disappeared (or died) and she can read people’s minds now. Minds are terrible things to read. Over the course of this book, Pearl gets some character development and becomes braver. It’s a good lesson, that you can be scared, and that courage is overcoming your fears.
Pearl’s awards:
Most girly.
Most sensitive.
Most likely to end up with Will Simms.
Will probably become an artist in adulthood.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2017
Petal is really annoying in this book. The sisters are constantly sniping at each other and even Pete joins in once. The Snakes on a Plane joke was pretty funny though. The series still has its funny moments. They are becoming self-aware.
February 23, 2021
it was a pretty good book but i did not like it for two reasons :
1. It was more about Rebecca then Petal. I mean she did save her from Crazy Serina but still think it was more about Rebeca.
2. it kept repeating the scene of Petal hiding onder the bed and Rebeca pulling her ouT.
1. It was more about Rebecca then Petal. I mean she did save her from Crazy Serina but still think it was more about Rebeca.
2. it kept repeating the scene of Petal hiding onder the bed and Rebeca pulling her ouT.
May 31, 2020
This is a continuation of the fun mystery series about the octuplets. All of them are interesting enough for teens and adults to enjoy!
May 17, 2011
While I still love this series, and heartily recommend it to young readers every chance I get, this one was not as good as I was hoping / expecting. Maybe it's just been enough of a time lapse for me between reading the installments of the series, but this one seemed to lack a bit in the plot department....
June has finally rolled around and it's Petal's turn to receive her power and gift... but she doesn't want it! She takes to hiding under her bed in the hope of hiding from her 'turn'. Luckily Rebecca is around and likes getting a workout by pulling Petal out. After receiving the wedding invitation in the previous book, the girls are still unsure how they can go. As usual the Petes (whose last name happens to be "Zero" by the way) make a way out for the girls and they are off to France to meet even more members of their crazy clan... and find out that they may not be the only "Eights" in the family.
June has finally rolled around and it's Petal's turn to receive her power and gift... but she doesn't want it! She takes to hiding under her bed in the hope of hiding from her 'turn'. Luckily Rebecca is around and likes getting a workout by pulling Petal out. After receiving the wedding invitation in the previous book, the girls are still unsure how they can go. As usual the Petes (whose last name happens to be "Zero" by the way) make a way out for the girls and they are off to France to meet even more members of their crazy clan... and find out that they may not be the only "Eights" in the family.
August 6, 2014
This is the most annoying book of the series so far, with Petal constantly whining throughout the book. She's so annoying :(
At the end of the previous book, you know that the Eights are invited to their aunt and uncle's wedding party in France, so...you probably have guessed who else they'll be seeing there; yeah, their looney aunt who previously tried to kidnap them. There you'll also find more info about the Huit family and something about "the other eights". Yes, the plot thickens; which is a good thing.
To me, this sixth book of the Sisters 8 serves merely as a bridge towards what I hope to be a fun story about the evil mind Rebecca, the next sister in line.
At the end of the previous book, you know that the Eights are invited to their aunt and uncle's wedding party in France, so...you probably have guessed who else they'll be seeing there; yeah, their looney aunt who previously tried to kidnap them. There you'll also find more info about the Huit family and something about "the other eights". Yes, the plot thickens; which is a good thing.
To me, this sixth book of the Sisters 8 serves merely as a bridge towards what I hope to be a fun story about the evil mind Rebecca, the next sister in line.
December 12, 2010
so cute!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews