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Simply Sarah #1
Anyone Can Eat Squid!
Sarah Simpson is tired of being ordinary. The most unusual thing she has ever done is bite the dentist’s fingers. So what can she do to be special? Trade names with her best friend? Eat snails and squid? When Sarah learns that her favorite Chinese restaurant might go out of business, she comes up with a plan. One that makes people want to say, "Here comes Sarah Simpson!" and saves Wongs’ Restaurant, too. In quintessential Phyllis Reynolds Naylor style, this delightful story speaks straight to the heart of kids as they struggle to define themselves.
80 pages, Hardcover
First published April 30, 2005
About the author
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
210 books1,040 followersPhyllis Reynolds Naylor was born in Anderson, Indiana, US on January 4, 1933.
Her family were strongly religious with conservative, midwestern values and most of her childhood was spent moving a lot due to her father's occupation as a salesman.
Though she grew up during the Depression and her family did not have a lot of money, Naylor stated that she never felt poor because her family owned good books. Her parents enjoyed reading stories to the children--her father would imitate the characters in Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer--and her mother read to them every evening, "almost until we were old enough to go out on dates, though we never would have admitted this to anyone."
By the time Phyllis reached fifth grade, writing books was her favorite hobby and she would rush home from school each day to write down whatever plot had been forming in her head - at sixteen her first story was published in a local church magazine.
Phyllis has written over 80 books for children and young people. One of these books, "Shiloh," was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1992, was named a Notable Children's Book by the American Library Association and was also Young Adult Choice by the International Reading Association.
Naylor gets her ideas from things that happen to her or from things she has read. "Shiloh" was inspired by a little abused dog she and her husband found. The little dog haunted her so much that she had to write a story about him to get it out of her mind.
Her family were strongly religious with conservative, midwestern values and most of her childhood was spent moving a lot due to her father's occupation as a salesman.
Though she grew up during the Depression and her family did not have a lot of money, Naylor stated that she never felt poor because her family owned good books. Her parents enjoyed reading stories to the children--her father would imitate the characters in Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer--and her mother read to them every evening, "almost until we were old enough to go out on dates, though we never would have admitted this to anyone."
By the time Phyllis reached fifth grade, writing books was her favorite hobby and she would rush home from school each day to write down whatever plot had been forming in her head - at sixteen her first story was published in a local church magazine.
Phyllis has written over 80 books for children and young people. One of these books, "Shiloh," was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1992, was named a Notable Children's Book by the American Library Association and was also Young Adult Choice by the International Reading Association.
Naylor gets her ideas from things that happen to her or from things she has read. "Shiloh" was inspired by a little abused dog she and her husband found. The little dog haunted her so much that she had to write a story about him to get it out of her mind.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 10, 2015
This book is not what I thought it was about. I thought it was that Sarah was going to try to eat some squid
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2017
This book (aimed at elementary students / first chapter readers) contains some delightful lessons in an easy to understand and read story.
Simply Sarah wants to be special, she wants to do something amazing or stand out for something to make people recognize her.
As she tries various ideas, she learns some valuable lessons about friendship, right and wrong, business and entrepreneurship!
The title of the book made me think the story would be more about helping kids to eat foods they didn't like the sound of or about cultural differences. Whilst there is an element of different cultures, the story is really about trying to find yourself and helping others along the way.
Simply Sarah wants to be special, she wants to do something amazing or stand out for something to make people recognize her.
As she tries various ideas, she learns some valuable lessons about friendship, right and wrong, business and entrepreneurship!
The title of the book made me think the story would be more about helping kids to eat foods they didn't like the sound of or about cultural differences. Whilst there is an element of different cultures, the story is really about trying to find yourself and helping others along the way.
January 10, 2020
This first book of the Simply Sarah book is terrific. The writing is superb and was easily understood and enjoyed by my 5- and 7-year-old. I appreciated how wholesome the book is. Sarah cares deeply for her family, friends, and neighbors. The book teaches about other cultures and the value of kindness. Highly recommend the entire series!
Want to Read
December 14, 2017Realistic Fiction: A story about how a girl wants to be extraordinary and she goes through trying to become extraordinary.
April 13, 2009
Sarah wants to be different but even her name is so plain so she has to think of
other ways to be different.
but it is harder then you think.
other ways to be different.
but it is harder then you think.
April 16, 2010
Recommended for girls struggling with identity. Sarah goes to great lengths to stand out from other kids her age, discovering that being special comes from within.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2012
Kişiliğini bulamamış bir kız.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2014
My eight-year-old loved this book! He thought it was really cute with a great message.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews