Piper Reed, Clubhouse Queen

Piper Reed #2

by Kimberly Willis Holt, Christine Davenier (Illustrator)

Previously published as Piper Reed, the Great Gypsy .
The Gypsy Club Creed

We are the Gypsies of land and sea.
We move from port to port.
We make friends wherever we go.
And everywhere we go, we let people know
That we're the Gypsies of land and sea.

Piper's dad―the Navy Chief―might be gone again, but Piper's got plenty to keep her busy at new neighbors, a spaceship beach house, a trip to New Orleans, and most important, the upcoming Gypsy Club pet show. Piper is determined to win, but teaching her dog Bruna tricks seems nearly impossible. Bruna is simply un-teachable! Or is she? Join Piper as she embarks on new and exciting adventures!

Genres: Childrens, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Audiobook, Friendship, Fiction, Chapter Books

176 pages, Paperback

First published August 19, 2008

About the author

Kimberly Willis Holt is the author of the Piper Reed series, including Piper Reed, Navy Brat, Piper Reed, Clubhouse Queen, and Piper Reed, Rodeo Star. She has written many award-winning novels, including The Water Seeker and My Louisiana Sky, as well as the picture books Waiting for Gregory and Skinny Brown Dog. A former Navy brat herself, Holt was born in Pensacola, Florida, and lived all over the U.S. and the world—from Paris to Norfolk to Guam to New Orleans. Holt long dreamed of being a writer, but first worked as a radio news director, marketed a water park, and was an interior decorator, among other jobs. A few years after she started writing, her third book, When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, won a National Book Award for Young People's Literature. She resides in West Texas with her family.

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

Reviews

[Hannah Jo Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one better than the first one, maybe because I listened to this one on audio with my daughter, which was more engaging. As a former military brat, I was motivated to read these books because they're about a military brat and her family, and I think they're a must-have in any school, public, or base library that serves military kids.

There are many elementary-school-age books with plucky female characters that I greatly prefer, but I do appreciate these for their ability to capture what it's like to live in a family where one of your parents is gone for long stretches of time on a regular basis and how it seems normal to move from city to city all the time.

[Talia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Piper and her family are back! “Chief”, aka Dad, is going away on ship duty, and Piper and her sisters and mother try to cope with their dad not being there. Piper has the idea to have a pet show so she can show off her mad dog-training skills to Chief when he comes back. But although Piper is determined, training Bruna is easier said than done.

I wasn’t as enthusiastic with this story as I was the last book, but it was still enjoyable. Anyone else get really irritated with Piper’s teacher Ms. Gordon? Yeah, Piper’s not an easy student, but come on, lighten up!

[Momschooled · Rating 1 out of 5]

A slow moving book about a family with three girls. I'd say it's geared toward 7-8 year olds, but it mentions the teen sister wanting to make out in a theater and having crushes, not topics that my 8 year old is ready for.

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun quick read for elementary kids. Just what I love for some summer reading fun.

[Pat Salvatini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Piper Reed is a middle child, with a classic case of middle child syndrome – she’s not super smart like Tori or a child prodigy like Sam. With her Navy father away at sea, life is certainly different. There was Christmas in a spaceship, a spring break in New Orleans, and an unfortunate incident with a journal, stairs, and a broken leg. Written in a first person narrative it is a delightful account of a family’s ups and downs. With line-and-wash drawings by Christine Davenier adding additional humor to this quirky story.

[Mary E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read with humor and heart

[Alyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really 3.5, but I couldn't bring myself to round up because of Piper's small meannesses. (Spell check didn't like that.) Still--probably not unrealistic.

[Fatemah Alhusayni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this is a children's' book but it is very funny and easy to read, perfect for those times when you just want a book to put you to sleep. Besides, I read the other day in a magazine an advice for parents to read whatever their kids are reading because sometimes that's the only thing you can talk about with them ( the advice was for parents of teenagers). But I thought, was not start now. The books that my daughter reads me for her reading assignment always sounded interested, so I grabbed this one and started reading. It's about a military family that always travel and they have three girls , Piper is the middle one. She is very funny and artistic and she makes good observations. I think all families with girls can relate somehow to the fights and arguments Piper has with her sisters. A great easy to read book to say the least. And it's one of my 7-years old daughter's favorite books too. As if I had to say that!

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Piper Reed series by Kimberly Willis Holt. We can relate to these stories about a military family, even if our experiences with the military aren't quite the same. We also love Piper's spunk and enthusiasm. This story chronicles ten months of the family's life, during which the father deploys on a ship. It's a fun story to read aloud and many of the joys of life despite the frustrations of long-term separation are told with candor and sincerity. Our girls really enjoy this series and we are looking forward to the next book: Piper Reed Gets a Job.

[Kim Burean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute little book that I could easily recommend to any 3-5th grade girl. It's about Piper Reed, whose father is in the Navy. They move around a lot, and Piper has formed the Gypsy Club at the different locations they have lived in order to make friends. Most of the book deals with Piper and her mom and sisters coping with her dad being deployed for a few months. During this time, Piper and her Gypsy Club friends decide to put on a pet show for the base. Piper desperately wants to win, but is having trouble teaching her dog any tricks. On the day of the event, excitement and mayhem ensue and it doesn't turn out quite how Piper had expected. It is a great success, however, and Piper is happy.

The book has a good amount of humor and paints a realistic picture of a girl and her relationships with her parents, siblings and friends. It's a lightweight book, but enjoyable.

[Joenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Piper Reed series. Piper and her club, the Great Gypsy club, decide to have a pet contest. Piper is determined that her dog will win the prize. Piper's dad has also left on duty and will be gone for many months. Piper deals with the usual family problems, a mean older sister who gets her first pimple, and an annoying little sister who wants to do everything Piper does. Not only that, but her mom breaks her leg because of Piper! I really like this series. Kind of like Clementine, because she is curious and getting into trouble.

[Alexa M]

the pet show just ended and michale and hig pet guine pig named tippy toes won the show and piper really diddnt care about it she was just glad that bruna her dog did the trick.
i can kinda relate to the way piper feels about bruna because i really like the way i feel when i acomplish things that i have been having troubles with i dont think i woul be very happy though if my friend had just won the pet show i probly would not have been close to as calm as piper was.i am no really liking this book as much as i did the other piper reeds

[Emily L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finisheed were they are at the beach in the winter so they the rented house on sale. Now they are going to there moms art teachers house. There dad is in the navy and he is going to be there for a long time. I am really enjoying this book and it is the second of the series. I wonder if they are going to go home after this or go on another trip. I really like this book and i want to finish the siries(there is only three books.)

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book - good series to know about. Piper Reed's father is in the military, they move a lot, he is gone for long periods. Could be great fit for some girls and of general interest to others. She is a middle sister and the kids are likable and the family dynamics feel genuine. Good for kids who have moved beyond Junie B.

[carissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended Ages: grades 2-4

While her father, a Navy Chief, is on ship duty for 6 months, nine-year-old Piper stays busy with new neighbors, Christmas at a space ship beach house, a trip to New Orleans, and especially the upcoming Gypsy Club pet show.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice beginning longer chapter book for the Clementine fans who aren't yet ready for Ramona. There are three sisters with typical sibling challenges and a Dad in the military - although this is handled lightly and is really just a backdrop.

[Cherese A. Vines · Rating 3 out of 5]

Piper can be a selfish little girl. Everything was about her. She and her sisters were kind of mean to each other. It read more like a diary. Not always interesting. Even the "climax" of the story seemed like an after thought. I didn't really care for this series.

[Bonnie Gleckler Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The entire series "Piper Reed..." is an excellent set of books for children between the ages of 8 and 12. I've read a few of these titles so that I might discuss them with my oldest Granddaughter Sydney. We've both enjoyed them.

[Miss Manekofsky · Rating 2 out of 5]

It bothered me the way Piper talked about her sister and her weight........ On another side, Piper did have dyslexia and talks about her reading difficulty, so it would be a great recommend for readers with the same struggle.

[The Library Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it better than the first one.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Piper Reed. What an authentic sounding character! Makes me wish I knew her - and the audio book is FANTASTIC

[Helena]

I liked that Brady could train Piper's dog but Piper couldn't. This was a good book.

[10~11 Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book! It was fun, cute, and it has a couple valuable lessons. One is don't expect to get everything you want, and cherish things while you have them.

[Celia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another easy-reader. Might read any third fourth or fifth book in this series, but I ain't sayin' nuthin' much 'bout this book 'cause there really ain't that much to say.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

No review.

[Mas5thgrade2012 · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good book to read!!!
~candygirl~

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

i like the part she was unable to train her dog, but at the end her neighbor tells her how to control her dog. at the end the dog does what she wants it to do.

[Kamicarlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great series for girls who don't want to read all the fairy books out there. We love these books!

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Utter crap like this makes me want to make a fortune writing actual decent books for middle grades.

[Celina · Rating 5 out of 5]

a.k.a., "The Great Gypsy."