Staying Together

Main Street #10

by Ann M. Martin

After a big fight, sisters Flora and Ruby must come together in this stirring installment of Main Street

Flora and Ruby have always gotten along as sisters, but now they're coming apart. They're starting to fight all the time and nobody -- not their friends, not their grandmother -- knows what to do. It's all a part of growing up, but it's not an easy part. And Flora and Ruby are going to have to learn how to stay together... with a little help from their friends.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Friendship, Juvenile

180 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2011

About the author

Ann Matthews Martin was born on August 12, 1955. She grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, with her parents and her younger sister, Jane. After graduating from Smith College, Ann became a teacher and then an editor of children's books. She's now a full-time writer.

Ann gets the ideas for her books from many different places. Some are based on personal experiences, while others are based on childhood memories and feelings. Many are written about contemporary problems or events. All of Ann's characters, even the members of the Baby-sitters Club, are made up. But many of her characters are based on real people. Sometimes Ann names her characters after people she knows, and other times she simply chooses names that she likes.

Ann has always enjoyed writing. Even before she was old enough to write, she would dictate stories to her mother to write down for her. Some of her favorite authors at that time were Lewis Carroll, P. L. Travers, Hugh Lofting, Astrid Lindgren, and Roald Dahl. They inspired her to become a writer herself.

Since ending the BSC series in 2000, Ann’s writing has concentrated on single novels, many of which are set in the 1960s.

After living in New York City for many years, Ann moved to the Hudson Valley in upstate New York where she now lives with her dog, Sadie, and her cats, Gussie, Willy and Woody. Her hobbies are reading, sewing, and needlework. Her favorite thing to do is to make clothes for children.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/annmma...

Reviews

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could be wrong, but I got the feeling, especially towards the end, that this book is the last in the series. Mainly, the story focuses on a big fight sisters Flora & Ruby began in the last book, & how it's affecting their relationship as well as how they get along with others. Fellow best friends Nikki & Olivia are trying to work out a way to get the sisters back to how they used to be, but it may also take some words of wisdom from college-bound neighbor Margaret about how she & her sister drifted apart, & how much she misses that, to make Flora realize what's really important. Other small, everyday things continue to occur with the other residents of the row houses in the gentle way of this sweet & somewhat sentimental look at the dynamics of an especially ideal small town in New England. Middle-grade girl readers of Martin's other books, e.g., the Babysitters Club, will enjoy these.

[Katie Merkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Staying Together” is the perfect ending for the “Main Street” series. As with the other books, the protagonists face real-life, challenging situations. My favorite part of this book was how Martin showed a fight among friends from multiple perspectives. At the end of the book, all of the plot lines were wrapped up in a way that satisfied me as a reader, but it also felt like life with all of its ups and downs was going to continue for Flora, Ruby, Olivia, and Nicki after I closed the book. I was sad that the series was over and highly recommend it, especially to 4th-6th grade girls.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish there were more books in the series...even better if they turned it into a clean tv show for families to watch together. There are so many characters and you want to know what happens to them.

[Violet Bleger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I truly love the finale to the Main Street series. I love the message of coming together and working as a community. 👏👏👏 to Miss Ann M. Martin for creating such an amazing series.

[Hailey Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread. Cue me being emotional.
—
“Things change all the time everywhere.”

[Ca1t!Y# · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pretty good. I am now done with this series and it was pretty good.

[jellybean · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

really sweet ending i love this series so much but i did feel that the first few books were stronger

[Sophia s · Rating 5 out of 5]

end of junior year 🤝 end of the main street series ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

[Danielle Bradford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have finally finished the cutest little series! It brings back so many memories from when I was a child and brings so much warmth and comfort with each read. A great series for young girls!

[Moumita Debnath · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish author Martin had ended the book with Aunty Ally's wedding and a revisit from Annika.

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been two years since Flora and Ruby moved to Camden Falls after the death of their parents. It's been a pretty great two years, too, but now Flora and Ruby are arguing. Not little arguments--one great, big, giant argument; they are no longer speaking to each other, and they're driving their best friends Olivia and Nikki crazy. At the same time, the struggling economy is hitting Camden Falls. Main Street is starting to look a little shabby with peeling paint, cracked windows, and signs hanging crooked. Will things get better?

This is #10 in the series, and I still enjoy them enough to read every installment. These characters are real to me, and so is the town. I confess, I want to go to fictional Camden Falls, Massachusetts. It sounds very nearly perfect, like Gilmore Girl's Stars Hollow, Connecticut. Now if I can just find it on the map....

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Marta Morrison for TeensReadToo.com

The tenth book of the MAIN STREET series was just as good as the rest.

The economic recession has hit Camden Falls, and many of the businesses on Main Street are having tough times. Plus, Flora and Ruby are in the middle of a huge fight. Ruby destroyed something of her grandmother's and is trying to hide it. Flora thinks Ruby should fess up.

Nikki and Olivia are sick of it, since they can't hang out together because Ruby and Flora are not talking. Nikki is also looking for a dog for Mr. Pennington.

I really enjoy this series. It is not action packed, but it has a lot of heart and is smart writing. I have come to love all of the girls and the adults in their lives, and I care about what happens to them.

[Varshini Iyer]

Since the time I bought this book in 2011 I couldn't bring myself to read this book. But one fine day, in 2013 everyone in my family went for an afternoon nap. There was no electricity and to be frank I was grounded too. So, I didn't have any other option but to read this book and I just loved it. The next day I dashed into the library and borrowed more of Main Street books. From that day onwards I am a great fan Ann M.Martin.

[katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love with the Main Street series by Ann M. Martin. All the books make me nostalgic and most have reduced me to happy tears. I want a daughter so she can read these someday. I got this from the library but I plan to buy it as I already own all the others in the series and adore them. I hope another book comes out soon!

[Erin Valenzuela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book & series!! My favorite series of all time. I would recommend to anyone, especially ages 8-14. Very relatable with a interesting plot & subplot. I will miss reading this series. I'll never forget it.

[Rachel McCall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it sooooooooooooooooooo much

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[Judy E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The tenth and final book in the Main Street series. Flora and Ruby are not speaking because Flora doesn't approve of Ruby snooping in Min's drawers. Olivia and Nikki plan to bring the sisters back together.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book, I hope there is a next one!

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit melancholy, regarded as an ending. Nearly all the characters in Camden Falls are touched upon one last time, although some of them rather lightly–I think Willow was particularly shortchanged.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Siblings Flora and Ruby have drifted apart and from what? A tiny glass owl? Why's that important? Find out in this Main Street book, sorry this reviews short ppl. ):

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read for me. But i just had to read the last book of the series! I started reading it several years ago so it's a little past my level now, but still cute.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and series. Definitely worth a read.

[Pratiti Majumder · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful and humble. A peaceful read

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how ruby and flora is mad at each other and i love how in ends