Alice Atherton's Grand Tour

by Lesley M.M. Blume

The heartwarming story of a young girl sent to live with the extraordinary Murphy Family in southern France.

Ten-year-old Alice Atherton is sent by her father to spend the summer with his dear friends the Murphys who live with their three children and pet monkey in the French Riveria. There, Alice will meet and learn from some of the most extraordinary luminaries of the time. She visits a junk yard with Pablo Picasso looking for objects to make into art, performs a dance inspired by celestial bodies with the renowned Ballet Russes, and imagines magical adventures with Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

An uplifting story that will appeal to readers who love books by authors like Kate DiCamillo and Jeanne Birdsall.

Genres: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, France, Historical, Juvenile, Fiction, Friendship

208 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

Lesley M. M. Blume is an author, columnist and journalist. She did her undergraduate work at WIlliams College and Oxford University, and took her graduate degree in history from Cambridge University.
She now regularly contributes to Vanity Fair, The Wall Street Journal and Departures magazine.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, quirky, charming. And fits the historical fiction prompt for Middle Grade March 2026!

[Joscelynn Puckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun story! I loved getting to join Alice on her journey of going to France and learning from influential creative people of the time—it felt almost like historical unschooling, and I think homeschoolers would especially enjoy reading this story either on their own or as a family read-aloud. (Or the audiobook is amazing as well!)

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this sort of story, in which a sad girl from a confined, dull, depressing environment becomes part of a boisterous, loving family having lots of new experiences, so I was predisposed in its favor and not disappointed. It's based on a real family, with real famous people dropping by, which added interest to the charm.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Ten-year-old Alice takes little interest in life after the death of her mother of a fever in New York City in 1927. A doctor is called in, and he recommends a change of scenery. Even though he hates to part with her, Alice's father reaches out to friends who are expatriots who live a wealthy but Bohemian lifestyle in the south of France. Miss Pennyweather, Alice's uptight governess, is sent with her, which leads to a very uninteresting ocean voyage, since she is outraged by everything that is not exactly the way it is back in New York. This holds true once they reach the home of Sara and Gerald Murphy, who live with their children Patrick, Baoth, and Honoria. The children are encouraged to frolic barefoot in simple frocks that can be stained by fruits that they pluck from trees they pass, and Miss Pennyweather demands that she and Alice be put on a ship home immediately. In the end, the decision is Alice's, and only Miss Pennyweather is packed off. Alice gets used to this lifestyle, which includes a tame monkey named Mistigris, and is not sure is she should look forward to the "lessons" that Mr. Murphy has planned. He reaches out to his friends, which results in the children learning art from Pablo Picasso, writing from Ernest Hemingway, and ballet from Serge Diaghilev. They even have rather unusual lessons delivered to them from Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, who push the envelope even for parents as liberal as the Murphys. Mr. Atherton is interested to hear all of the adventures that Alice is having, and eventuallyl arranges to come and visit with the Murphys himself. The family is based on real people who lived in the 1920s and hosted many celebrities of the time, and the book includes biographical information on the real people who are depicted.
Strengths: My senior thesis in high school was on F. Scott Fitzgerald, and I thought McAlpine's The Mystery Box, which imagined Frank Dixon and Carolyn Keene as artists in 1920s Paris was inspired. I've also watched entirely too many episodes of The Durrells in Corfu and secretly want to read nothing but children's literature published in the early part of the twentieth century. I found this every bit as charming as this author's quirky road trip book, Julia and the Art of Practical Travel. Who doesn't want to spend a summer hanging out on a French beach, picking fruit from trees, and running about with Hemingway's son? The illustrations were very evocative of the time period as well.
Weaknesses: This is absolutely perfect for readers who love Streatfield's Shoes books or imagine that they could be in Birdsall's Penderwicks family. Sadly, I have yet to find these readers among my students. Additionally, I found it hard to believe that any parents ever would have entrusted the Fitzgerald's with any children. Ever.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Smith's I Capture the Castle or Margery Sharp's works, or like a Classic story about girls who are sent to livewith other families, like Fisher's Understood Betsy or Alcott's Eight Cousins.

[Faith Elizabeth Hough · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was close to a five star read for me. I really enjoyed the old-fashioned style and structure. Remember those vintage books where the main character just needs to learn something? Yeah, this works like that, and I actually loved it.
Alice Atherton, overcome with grief after her mother's death (I told you it was old-fashioned), and stifled by her governess's rigid educational methods, is sent to France to spend the summer with family friends who... do things a little differently. By introducing their children and Alice to a variety of artists (from Picasso to the Fitzgeralds), they teach them to think differently about art, education, and life. It's pretty straightforward structurally and plot wise...but it was also quirky and fun. In many ways, Alice Atherton is a homeschooler's dream, as one of the main points is that life is a better teacher than what we usually see as education.
That one missing star is because I have strong, unyielding opinions about modern art. :) At one point, Picasso teaches the children to make sculptures from things they find in a junk yard. They display their work at a dinner party that evening, and the guests look at it with disgust...until it's announced that the creator was Picasso and that the Louvre would be picking it up in the morning. Suddenly the guests are awed delighted.
Here's the thing... If you have to know the artist to appreciate a work of art...it might just be bad art. If you like it more because the Louvre wants it even though you hated it, you need to take a deep look at your critical thinking.
So, hey, if you don't mind modern art and you love old-fashioned stories, this is probably a perfect book for you. If you fall on my side of those issues, you'll probably like it a lot and just want to shake your head a little at that one chapter, or maybe discuss it with your child readers.
I have to add that the coolest thing about this book is that the story is based on a true family! I would have loved to know them!

[Relyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me begin with how much I love Lesley M.M. Blume's work. The Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters is one of my all-time favorite books. I was hoping for another book like that in Alice Atherton. This was sweet and fun, but it felt more like an attempt to teach young people about some of Blume's own heroes. It was fine - but not great. Bummer.

[Kristin SH]

Children’s publishers mostly seem to green light historical novels about war and fighting oppression, and that’s important and educational and all, but it is refreshing to occasionally read historical fiction that’s filled with whimsy and joy.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed books like this as a child. I love this book, now, as an adult and loved Alice's adventures with the Murphy family, who actually existed.

[Tales Untangled · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Random House Children's, Knopf Books for Young Readers. I'm voluntarily leaving a review and haven't received compensation.

Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction
Language: There's about three words that could be considered swearing that might make some gatekeepers lift their eyebrows.

Alice lives in New York in the early 1900s. Nothings has been the same since her mother died (which happened off page before the story begins).

So her father sends her to France to spend the summer with family friends (the Murphys) and their children where they meet some famous people as their "teachers."

The story is an excuse to introduce readers to Hemingway, Picasso, Sergi Diaghilev and his Ballet Russes, and Scott and Zelda Fitzerald. I did not realize the Murphys are also actual historical people along with their kids, Honoria, Boath, and Patrick. Even the monkey is real.

Don't worry—the seedier side of the famous peoples' lives are left out. I thought it was a clever way to get children to learn a bit about some of the movers and shakers of the 1900s.

This might be good as a classroom read in addition for kids who love historical fiction.

I recommend this book!

Happy reading!

[Yvette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten year old Alice Atherton is sent from her New York home to stay with family friends in France for the summer of 1927. She joins the children of the family in an informal summer school, gaining experiences and learning life lessons. The perfect antidote for the grief and depression of losing her mother. Alice's "grand tour" is a summer of adventure, growth, and healing, as she experiences being part of a larger family.

I've been sampling quite a few books for young readers lately, searching for the perfect literary gift for a nine year old girl, and Alice Atherton's Grand Tour by Lesley M.M. Blume is a happy discovery. Most of these books I stopped reading when issues appeared in the story, but here there were minor issues of a couple words that are relatively inoffensive and an adult recklessly cliff diving, along with champagne drinking and cigar smoking that are in keeping with the time and characters.

Alice Atherton's Grand Tour by Lesley M.M. Blume is a bright, ultimately happy story that I'd gladly shelve with classics such as Eleanor H. Porter's Pollyanna. Highly recommended, and not just for ages 8-12.

This review refers to an e-book that I voluntarily read and reviewed, courtesy of my library's Libby app. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and clever story about a grieving American girl and her adventures in the south of France with the era’s colorful and notable artists and writers.

This is a charming way to introduce kids to historical figures of this era, though I do think the book skews a bit young in terms of text and appeal for anyone who might actually be old enough to have even a basic appreciation for Hemingway or Diaghilev. Still, it’s a cute concept, and certainly provides an intriguing portrait of many of the creatives spending time in France during this era.

That said, this is a pretty optimistic portrait of many of them. I’m not sure there’s much chance most of these people (mostly looking at you, Picasso) would be happy to spend a lot of time goofing about with a bunch of kids they don’t really know. It’s also worth noting that “Grand Tour” means something very specific, so the title is misleading in that this isn’t what Alice is doing. It’s more like “summer abroad.”

But overall this is fun and unusual, and it’s a clever way to introduce kids to great art and artists in a variety of disciplines.

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

[Chandler Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ten year old Alice Atherton has recently lost her mother to some “terrible fever” and is struggling to cope with her grief. Her governess, old Mrs. Pennyweather is tired of the child’s misbehaving ways (not paying attention in her lessons, for example) and Mr. Atherton thinks he has a solution. Mr. Atherton sends Alice to France for the summer where she stays with Gerald and Sara Murphy and their three children, Honoria, Baoth, and Patrick. Along with the Murphy children, Alice is treated to an “unholy education” with lessons from Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, Serge Diaghilev, and F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. Obviously, with characters like Hemingway and Picasso, this is historical fiction for children. It’s not a bad book but it’s certainly nothing to write home about.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

After her mother's death, Alice's father decides she needs to visit his unconventional friends The Murphy's and their children in France. She spends the summer receiving an "unholy education" from their acquaintances, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, the Fitzgerald's, and learning how to dance from a famous Russian ballet troupe! Very fun, sweet story about a little girl overcoming her grief by learning to think outside of the box and embrace life.

The author's note explains that although Alice is a fictional character, her adventure is based on the real-life Murphy's, an unconventional American family who moved to France and really were friends with all those people and involved in various artistic pursuits.

[Naz · Rating 5 out of 5]

O kadar tatlı bir çocuk kitabı ki… Su gibi akıp gidiyor. İçinde çok güzel mesajlar barındıran, dili ve okuması oldukça kolay bir kitap. Annesini kaybetmiş sevgili Alice’imizin Fransa’da aile dostlarının yanında geçirdiği maceralarla dolu tatili okuyoruz. Alice o kadar tatlı bir karakter ki sımsıkı sarılma isteği uyandırıyor insanın içinde. Murphy ailesini de bir o kadar sevdim. Özellikle yaz tatilinde bir çırpıda bitirebileceğiniz bu kitaba yaşınız kaç olursa olsun bir şans vermenizi önerebilirim :)

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes reading one book leads to another...this is one of those books. I had recently read The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway. I read this book and when looking at the author information, saw the book Everybody Behaves Badly.

Three completely different books all connected in a way. It was meant to be.

This middle grade is entertaining and will encourage readers to want to understand the time period and the famous people.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most magical, wonderful, imaginative book for a 10 year old to read! I adored the storyline, history, vocabulary, and adventure. My daughter loved reading about the discoveries the children went on with their teachers. To learn the Murphy family actually was real (along with seeing a photograph of them at the end of the book) was the icing on the cake! What a treasure this book was to read aloud with my fifth grader.

[Julia (Shakespeare and Such) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8/5 stars — very wholesome, very sweet. I love that this was a beautiful mix of life lessons and some genuine history as well, with a dash of humor and lots of heart. and I’m always down to throw shade at f scot fitzgerald 😌

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance ebook copy in exchange for an honest review*

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Pacing: 3/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment: 4/5

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. Interesting story and main character gets to meet Picasso, Hemingway and other artist types from that era ( 1927). The famous people are just inserted as side characters who "teach" Alice and the Murphy children over their summer in Antibes. Cute story but very light on the historical fiction. The notes at the end about the real people were interesting.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and charming story filled with some great lessons!

"Maybe he's bringing us a reminder that extraordinary things can happen at any moment--especially when we least expect them."

"...Learn from an early age that no matter where we come from, or what language we speak, or what we look like, we are all humans with a great deal in common--and so much to teach each other."

[Holly Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute children’s novel! Blume’s writing is full of sunshine and warmth. The heroine reminds me of Sara Crewe and Mary Lennox. I loved how this book introduced real historical figures to teach history in a fun, light-hearted way. Reading this book, I really felt like I was on the French Riviera in the 1920s!

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried,I laughed,I was in Absolute awe of this book.From Alice’s journey both physically and to her beginning to heal.I loved every second of this book.I Loved the famous historical figures and how they were represented.this book was a joy to read from beginning to end.I wish I could give it more than five stars.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely book! I enjoyed this very much. It was charming like an Alcott story.

There was one use of “damnation.” And the Fitzgerald’s are badly behaved but a lesson is learned from that.

Found in L4M YT Volume 25

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What fun! Join Alice on her grand adventure in the south of France. Meet Picasso, Hemingway, Diaghilev, and the Fitzgeralds and see if they have anything to teach you about creativity. Intended for middle grade readers, but adults will enjoy the summer antics as well.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely book! I enjoyed this very much. It was charming like an Alcott story.

There was one use of “damnation.” And the Fitzgerald’s are badly behaved but a lesson is learned from that.

Found in L4M YT Volume 25

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[Adelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! It was so fun and lighthearted and I really liked that. I enjoyed how they included famous people from history so you can learn about them in a fun, easy way!

[Leslie Basney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful.

[nahes. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5🌟

[Meredith Covington · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story with mild adventures with a very interesting family and their famous friends. Alice is grieving her mother’s death but finds comfort and joy in new friendships and adventures.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, quick, light-hearted story after several heavy reads!