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The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls
For seven years, bad luck has followed Ivy around like a dog on a leash. Her father disappeared, her mother is a washed-up beauty-pageant winner, and now Ivy and her mother have moved into a ramshackle house on Gumm Street. Ivy's new neighbors--bookish Pru, stuck-up Cat, and wannabe adventurer Franny--are worse than unfriendly. But then a mysterious pair of ruby red slippers turns up, and the four girls are swept away...not to OZ, but to the jaw-droppingly strange lands of SPOZ, and SPUDZ, and OOZE, pursued by the fashionably mad Cha-Cha Staccato, who bears a frightening resemblance to a certain wicked witch....
Ages: 8 -12
Ages: 8 -12
448 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
40 people are currently reading
1408 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews
October 10, 2012
Just finished this book with my 10 year old daughter because I have a compulsion to read books relating to "The Wizard of Oz" and/or Judy Garland. I was convinced right away - my daughter not so much since she is neither a fan of Oz nor Judy. However, she soon was hooked as well and vascillated between loving and hating various characters. Ultimately, we both truly enjoyed the story and could easily see this being turned into a film (according to the author's website it has been optioned for an animated feature although a live action would be even more fun).
I think a true testament to a well written book is when a reader becomes so engaged in the character's as my daughter (and I) did. This is a story full of wit and originality with a definite nod to the "Oz" books and movies but insofar as Judy Garland goes, only the usage of her real surname,Gumm.
The four "Gumm Street girls" are relatable to tweens and early teens and the tale is interesting and humorous enough to be enjoyed by adults. Primavera makes many hints at the end to a continuation of the story and my daughter and I look forward to this, should one materialize.
I think a true testament to a well written book is when a reader becomes so engaged in the character's as my daughter (and I) did. This is a story full of wit and originality with a definite nod to the "Oz" books and movies but insofar as Judy Garland goes, only the usage of her real surname,Gumm.
The four "Gumm Street girls" are relatable to tweens and early teens and the tale is interesting and humorous enough to be enjoyed by adults. Primavera makes many hints at the end to a continuation of the story and my daughter and I look forward to this, should one materialize.
August 3, 2016
Read this when I was a teeny tiny girl. ;D
Can't remember much but I do know I enjoyed it.
Can't remember much but I do know I enjoyed it.
September 11, 2013
The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Grls by Elise Primavera is set in the perfect town of Sherbert. In Sherbert the sun is always shining, except every other day at 4:00 when it dizzles lightly. On Gumm Street lives three young girls, all about the same age. You would think they would be friends, right? But no. They hate each other! Kat is to prissy and perfect for andventureous Franny, and they are both to loud and energenic for book-word, germaphobic Prim. On the end of Gumm Street in an old run down and abandoned house. When Ivy and her mother move in, all the Gumm Street girls are eager to befriend her before anyone else. However, it soon becomes clear that Ivy's got a big ugly jinx on her hands. After Ivy finds a mysterious note from her dead aunt, a mystery starts unfolding and the Gumm Street girls need to join together to save not only themselves, but all the children in the world!
I recommend this book to everyone. EVERYONE. It was so beautifully written and the plot was suspenseful, maginitive, and engaging. I read this 500 page book in two sittings. I couldn't put it down! I really feel like the world would be a better place if everyone read this book.
I recommend this book to everyone. EVERYONE. It was so beautifully written and the plot was suspenseful, maginitive, and engaging. I read this 500 page book in two sittings. I couldn't put it down! I really feel like the world would be a better place if everyone read this book.
December 27, 2023
One of my absolute favourite MG books, EVER. Weird and whimsical and, despite the nods to the Wizard of Oz, stands on its own two feet. I’ve been waiting for a sequel for over a decade and I’d love a movie or TV show while I’m at it. XD
September 30, 2011
Title: The Secret Order of The Gumm Street Girls
Author: Elise Premavera
Summary:
This book is about a town named Sherbert. It's about three girls who totally dislike each other, but they all live directly across from one another on the same street and they all go to the same school. Disliking eachother is the least of thier problems when a new girl, Ivy, moves in down the street, and also goes to the same school. Two of the girls are trying to befriend her because that will mean they will have one more friend on thier side. But the third girl, Cat thinks she's highly unusual because she notices that everywhere she goes she has the strangest shadow. It's even kind of Scary because it seems to take the shape of a monster and it twists and turns and totally encircles Ivy.
The street that all the girls live on is Gumm Street. It was named after Harmonious Gumm, who was the founder and mayor of the town of Sherbert. Many things are named after him, the school, the street names and some things he just names about himself, like the school has three different groups. He wanted them to be equally good so he named them after his three favorite samwhiches, which are Tuna on Rye, Bacon Letuce and Tomato, and Salami. But everybody know that salami is the worse group and Tuna on Rye is the best because everybody in that group can do cartwheels.
Ivy has just moved into a new town and has already made two new friends which she knows dislike each other. She is now currently taking piano lessons from the same teacher as the other three girls. Ever since Ivy was three, she has the memory of sitting on the counter watching her mother do her hair in one of the mirrors. But her mother dropped her comb so she bent down to pick it up. That was Ivy's worse day ever, the mirror she was looking into shaddered and sent glass everywhere. For the next seven years Ivy had a Jinx. Her father also left that day to go by potato chips a few other items at the store and rode in the familie's champayne colored cadiliac, but never came home. Where ever Ivy and her mother seem to go, the seven year jinx seems to follow and make things wrong.
All Ivy wants is for the jinx to go away and to have friends. That is just the least of her problems when a Mr. Stacatto their piano teacher disapears and his so called "sister" arrives to take his house, and all of his belongings. But Ivy knows this woman, it was a faced she never wanted or thought she would see again. You see, there was more to that day she was sitting on the counter, because when her mother bent down to get the comb a face appeared in a black lampshade head and black intertwining vines began to cover the mirror until, it shattered. That was the worst day of her life.
This book is full of mystery and adventures about sparkly abnormally powerul shoes, a lie that was truthful accident and a story about how four very different girls learn to become friends. Why and what this Jinx is and why it keeps following her. The evil mysterious woman in the shattered mirror. But most of all how the girls form a Secret Order on Gumm Street to stop whatever is happening to Sherbert and it's people but also to save shoes and the motto the author used to write this book.
I give this book a five out of five star rating because It is one of the best books I have ever read! I love how although the motto is clear when your finished reading it but how it's such an original book! It makes you think who would have thought just by changing the setting of an original, story you could make one of your own!!
I would recommend this book only to girls because only we know what's having a horrible summer or no friends is like. But for me, this book totally rocked my summer!!
Author: Elise Premavera
Summary:
This book is about a town named Sherbert. It's about three girls who totally dislike each other, but they all live directly across from one another on the same street and they all go to the same school. Disliking eachother is the least of thier problems when a new girl, Ivy, moves in down the street, and also goes to the same school. Two of the girls are trying to befriend her because that will mean they will have one more friend on thier side. But the third girl, Cat thinks she's highly unusual because she notices that everywhere she goes she has the strangest shadow. It's even kind of Scary because it seems to take the shape of a monster and it twists and turns and totally encircles Ivy.
The street that all the girls live on is Gumm Street. It was named after Harmonious Gumm, who was the founder and mayor of the town of Sherbert. Many things are named after him, the school, the street names and some things he just names about himself, like the school has three different groups. He wanted them to be equally good so he named them after his three favorite samwhiches, which are Tuna on Rye, Bacon Letuce and Tomato, and Salami. But everybody know that salami is the worse group and Tuna on Rye is the best because everybody in that group can do cartwheels.
Ivy has just moved into a new town and has already made two new friends which she knows dislike each other. She is now currently taking piano lessons from the same teacher as the other three girls. Ever since Ivy was three, she has the memory of sitting on the counter watching her mother do her hair in one of the mirrors. But her mother dropped her comb so she bent down to pick it up. That was Ivy's worse day ever, the mirror she was looking into shaddered and sent glass everywhere. For the next seven years Ivy had a Jinx. Her father also left that day to go by potato chips a few other items at the store and rode in the familie's champayne colored cadiliac, but never came home. Where ever Ivy and her mother seem to go, the seven year jinx seems to follow and make things wrong.
All Ivy wants is for the jinx to go away and to have friends. That is just the least of her problems when a Mr. Stacatto their piano teacher disapears and his so called "sister" arrives to take his house, and all of his belongings. But Ivy knows this woman, it was a faced she never wanted or thought she would see again. You see, there was more to that day she was sitting on the counter, because when her mother bent down to get the comb a face appeared in a black lampshade head and black intertwining vines began to cover the mirror until, it shattered. That was the worst day of her life.
This book is full of mystery and adventures about sparkly abnormally powerul shoes, a lie that was truthful accident and a story about how four very different girls learn to become friends. Why and what this Jinx is and why it keeps following her. The evil mysterious woman in the shattered mirror. But most of all how the girls form a Secret Order on Gumm Street to stop whatever is happening to Sherbert and it's people but also to save shoes and the motto the author used to write this book.
I give this book a five out of five star rating because It is one of the best books I have ever read! I love how although the motto is clear when your finished reading it but how it's such an original book! It makes you think who would have thought just by changing the setting of an original, story you could make one of your own!!
I would recommend this book only to girls because only we know what's having a horrible summer or no friends is like. But for me, this book totally rocked my summer!!
February 18, 2016
I read this book aloud with my 10 & 8 year old daughters. It is the book being discussed at our local library's Mother-Daughter book club, and my girls were very excited to join a book club since I am in two IRL ones and one online one. Like Mother, like daughter? This book is definitely geared to a younger audience, and my girls both really enjoyed it. They laughed at the sophomore humor and rooted for the group of girls along their adventure. I will have them go on their Goodreads accounts and rate the book (5 stars I'm sure).
For me it was ok. It was kind of weird (reminded me of the one Neil Gaiman book I've read and came away saying "What did I just read?") It has references to the Wizard of Oz which I've loved for years since I was in a first grade play of it, but really this is it's own separate story. There were a few things I was slightly bugged by-the witches obsession with beauty, the making fun of "big butts" and "four eyes", the name calling by the witches. Not things I need my 10 & 8 year olds worrying about. Fun for the ages 8-12 as it recommends. A little tedious to read as a mom. :)
For me it was ok. It was kind of weird (reminded me of the one Neil Gaiman book I've read and came away saying "What did I just read?") It has references to the Wizard of Oz which I've loved for years since I was in a first grade play of it, but really this is it's own separate story. There were a few things I was slightly bugged by-the witches obsession with beauty, the making fun of "big butts" and "four eyes", the name calling by the witches. Not things I need my 10 & 8 year olds worrying about. Fun for the ages 8-12 as it recommends. A little tedious to read as a mom. :)
April 20, 2020
I first read this book around when it came out and I was much closer to its target audience. I loved it, then eventually forgot about it. I’m not sure exactly what sparked my memory, but I bought a copy and read it in an afternoon. This is a bizarre story, and it’s very fun. The references to The Wizard of Oz are fairly heavy-handed, but the surrounding story is as fresh as I remember. The second half of the book takes a turn for the absurd in the best way, shifting cheerfully between light-hearted chapter-book fare to gothic darkness along the way.
November 1, 2011
The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls by Elise Primavera takes place in the seemingly perfect town of Sherbet. Ironically, 3 girls who all dislike one another are neighbors on Gumm Street and classmates at Sherbet Academy. Their feelings toward one another change when the new girl, Ivy Diamond, and her mom move into #5 Gumm Street. Shortly after taking piano lessons from Mr. Staccato, he gives Ivy a ruby slipper just before he disappears into the clouds of a storm. Together, the girls will have to protect the shoes from the wicked witch, Cha Cha Staccato, to save Sherbet and the underground world of Spoz.
This book was a surprisingly enjoyable read. It was well written filled with creativity, friendship, humor, mystery, and adventure. The author used lots of description, making it easy to visualize the settings. The characters were relatable and unique. They all had different talents that contributed to their journey. My favorite character was Franny, who basically added the adventure into the book. She stuck with Ivy through the worst situations even when the others didn't have the courage to. She showed me how strong friendship is by risking her well-being just to save Ivy. It was easy to get hooked and feel like a part of the story. It was slow in some parts but not enough to make the reader want to stop reading. The way author added so much suspense and twists to such a simple plot made it pretty hard for me to put the book down. And if I wasn't reading the book, I constantly found myself wondering what will happen next.
I recommend this book to anyone who is in the mood to read about a quirky adventure and doesn't want to think long and hard to get the plot. Readers who like a fantasy adventure themed book would enjoy reading it. This book is probably most appealing to girls not older than 14 or so.
This book was a surprisingly enjoyable read. It was well written filled with creativity, friendship, humor, mystery, and adventure. The author used lots of description, making it easy to visualize the settings. The characters were relatable and unique. They all had different talents that contributed to their journey. My favorite character was Franny, who basically added the adventure into the book. She stuck with Ivy through the worst situations even when the others didn't have the courage to. She showed me how strong friendship is by risking her well-being just to save Ivy. It was easy to get hooked and feel like a part of the story. It was slow in some parts but not enough to make the reader want to stop reading. The way author added so much suspense and twists to such a simple plot made it pretty hard for me to put the book down. And if I wasn't reading the book, I constantly found myself wondering what will happen next.
I recommend this book to anyone who is in the mood to read about a quirky adventure and doesn't want to think long and hard to get the plot. Readers who like a fantasy adventure themed book would enjoy reading it. This book is probably most appealing to girls not older than 14 or so.
April 18, 2019
I still love this book! When I was little this was one of my favorites. It's one of those books that I know I'll keep forever and force my children into reading (when I have some). I find it sad that this story is so seemingly unpopular because it's an epic adventure, a story of friendship and tenacity through hard times, it's funny, it's brilliant, and it's unique! Also, there are illustrations! I'm just a sucker for books with pictures.
I absolutely love each of the four Gumm Street Girls (Pru is my favorite though). There is something in each of them that readers can identify with or relate to that makes this story heartwarming and sincere.
On top of all this, the narration is wonderful. Primavera's choice in prose is perfect for this children's/middle-grade novel. Her writing is infatuating, mesmerizing, perfect for storytelling. The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls is and will remain a favorite of mine forever.
Lastly, Elise Primavera, I absolutely love your choice in names for Cat's brothers. Especially Bowie and Ziggy. You rock, my dude.
Popsugar 2019 Reading Challenge: a book that makes you nostalgic
I absolutely love each of the four Gumm Street Girls (Pru is my favorite though). There is something in each of them that readers can identify with or relate to that makes this story heartwarming and sincere.
On top of all this, the narration is wonderful. Primavera's choice in prose is perfect for this children's/middle-grade novel. Her writing is infatuating, mesmerizing, perfect for storytelling. The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls is and will remain a favorite of mine forever.
Lastly, Elise Primavera, I absolutely love your choice in names for Cat's brothers. Especially Bowie and Ziggy. You rock, my dude.
Popsugar 2019 Reading Challenge: a book that makes you nostalgic
November 7, 2022
I love this book so much. I read it on a whim when it came out years ago, and it became a quick favorite of mine. I'm sure I re-read it at least six times as a child. Revisiting as an adult, it's still so beloved. Involving a famous work like The Wizard of Oz as part of the plot is risky, but this story is such a unique and well-done take on the classic story. Everything stands alone by its own merits, but the relation to Oz is very fun. Overall, five stars - if you are looking for a wholesome tale about friendship, adversity, being yourself, and more, all wrapped in a tight, clever package - I think this book is for you and/or a child you know. It would make a great book to read together and discuss, and I think adults and kids would both enjoy it.
The only con is one I'd say is a product of its time - there are a few fatphobic/appearance-related comments that I don't love, but thankfully, they are mild and relatively few.
The only con is one I'd say is a product of its time - there are a few fatphobic/appearance-related comments that I don't love, but thankfully, they are mild and relatively few.
July 29, 2015
I liked her first book, so I thought I'd try this one........didn't like it as well. Overly long, I can't imagine an 8-12 year old sticking with it. the basic idea works and the writing is good, but a really involved, complicated story. And just not worth trying to figure out, in my view. Too bad.
August 22, 2022
This is literally one of my favorite books of all time. I loved this as a child and recently reread it as an adult to reminisce. This is still so cute and such a fun book to read. This is going to be a book that I will read to my children one day. Love it to death!
January 29, 2016
It was amazing. I like Maz the potato.
October 17, 2021
rereading my favorite book from childhood :)
August 20, 2023
This was such a fun book! I was honestly sad to finish it. Very reminiscent of books I read in my childhood and the whole thing had a Roald Dahl flare. A great introduction into getting me to read larger books again as though this was just under 500 pages, it was a very easy and quick read.
The story lit up my imagination with fun and powerful imagery! There was lots of silly twists and turns but I would say the best part of the book is the first half.
Just after the halfway mark I say the story gets a little jumbled and there’s too many things going on, it’s a little hard to keep track of everything and because there’s several major plot points happening at once, some of the major secondary characters influence seems almost forgettable.
I also wasn’t too keen on the fact it transformed from a highly original story to piggybacking off the wizard of Oz. I know this was crucial to the overall story in the end but I feel like if this had been left as an entirely original story it would have been better. I can also appreciate it was a reimagining/interpretation of OZ but it just seemed to dampen the fun for me after I found out it was heading in that direction.
I did enjoy the authors in character note at the end addressing the potential OZ inaccuracies though. It made me chuckle.
Unfortunately the final pages and addendum sets us up to believe there will be more adventures from the gang or at least more books set in the same universe. However, this was published just under 20 years ago and there has been no sequel. Hopefully one IS in the works as I am desperate to read more books like this one.
I am also aware this is targeted at young teens but it is a great book for people like myself who have attention problems / information processing issues or Dyslexia as the font is relatively large and there are fun illustrations every now and then. I like that the illustrations are also done by the author. They are reminiscent of Sir Quentin Saxby Blake’s work.
I have the hardback edition of the book and I think the cover is very fun.
4.2 stars - which may be a little high but it put me in a good mood when I knew I was going to get to read it before bed. :)
The story lit up my imagination with fun and powerful imagery! There was lots of silly twists and turns but I would say the best part of the book is the first half.
Just after the halfway mark I say the story gets a little jumbled and there’s too many things going on, it’s a little hard to keep track of everything and because there’s several major plot points happening at once, some of the major secondary characters influence seems almost forgettable.
I also wasn’t too keen on the fact it transformed from a highly original story to piggybacking off the wizard of Oz. I know this was crucial to the overall story in the end but I feel like if this had been left as an entirely original story it would have been better. I can also appreciate it was a reimagining/interpretation of OZ but it just seemed to dampen the fun for me after I found out it was heading in that direction.
I did enjoy the authors in character note at the end addressing the potential OZ inaccuracies though. It made me chuckle.
Unfortunately the final pages and addendum sets us up to believe there will be more adventures from the gang or at least more books set in the same universe. However, this was published just under 20 years ago and there has been no sequel. Hopefully one IS in the works as I am desperate to read more books like this one.
I am also aware this is targeted at young teens but it is a great book for people like myself who have attention problems / information processing issues or Dyslexia as the font is relatively large and there are fun illustrations every now and then. I like that the illustrations are also done by the author. They are reminiscent of Sir Quentin Saxby Blake’s work.
I have the hardback edition of the book and I think the cover is very fun.
4.2 stars - which may be a little high but it put me in a good mood when I knew I was going to get to read it before bed. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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May 1, 2017This is a really popular book for middle grade children, but I personally found the story to be rather flat in comparison to other middle grade reads... Maybe it's because the format is different from what I'm used to? It's very multi character driven and there isn't really a set pace or destination. (From what I gathered anyway - I never did finish the book. Oops.)
The book definitely has a special touch to it though. I'd urge others to take a look at it themselves - they'd probably like it. I'm just one of the few who couldn't get around the story's barrier... :'D
The book definitely has a special touch to it though. I'd urge others to take a look at it themselves - they'd probably like it. I'm just one of the few who couldn't get around the story's barrier... :'D
December 23, 2025
4/5⭐️ I have been searching for this book for almost 20 years! I read a book in middle school that I knew I loved, but all I could remembered was a story about a group of girls and illustrations of…potatoes? Could that be right??
Reader, it was right. Once I started re-reading it, the story and illustrations came flooding back to me, and it was as charming now as it was when I was 10-ish years old. The plot’s a bit wonky, but the Gumm Street Girls are loveable, and Elise Primavera’s voice is so strong, that you can forgive the plot holes. I highly endorse nostalgia reads (either to heal your inner child, or just for fun!!)!
Reader, it was right. Once I started re-reading it, the story and illustrations came flooding back to me, and it was as charming now as it was when I was 10-ish years old. The plot’s a bit wonky, but the Gumm Street Girls are loveable, and Elise Primavera’s voice is so strong, that you can forgive the plot holes. I highly endorse nostalgia reads (either to heal your inner child, or just for fun!!)!
March 17, 2019
3.5! a cute reread.
June 24, 2019
It's fucking great, dude.
October 15, 2025
I only have the vaguest memories of the plot of this book but I know for a FACT I was obsessed with it as a kid. I might hold the record at the Schaumburg library for most times it was checked out.
January 9, 2008
I really enjoyed this book. It was fun and imaginative. It uses The Wizard of Oz as a back story, but this is it's own story and not a retelling in any way. The author shows familiarity with the book version of the Oz stories, but readers familiar only with the movie won't feel lost. I think it's definately a girl book, I'm not sure boys will find it of much interest. There's a lot of girl angst, petty dislikes, and a funny take on the interest in fashion and beauty items.
For Parents - There is use of fortune telling in this story, for those who find that kind of thing bothersome. There are also several "Oh my God" exclaimations, which I personally find unfortunate in children's books.
For Parents - There is use of fortune telling in this story, for those who find that kind of thing bothersome. There are also several "Oh my God" exclaimations, which I personally find unfortunate in children's books.
December 11, 2008
Finally--after a month a half--I've finished reading this book, thanks to interlibrary loan. I adore interlibrary loan (and not only because it pays my bills!)
This book is really thick and seems overwhelming, but the print is fairly big (it is a book for kids, after all), and has many rough, black and white drawings to illustrate the action. I read it pretty quickly actually, except for a the big gap when I wasn't reading it at all.
The story is based rather loosely on the Wizard of Oz tales (the only one of which I'm familiar with is The Wizard of Oz, and I know the movie much, much better than the book, which I have never managed to read). It was an entertaining read, but ends with a sequel clearly planned. I hate when authors set the reader up for the next book. Can't they be a bit discreet with their intentions?
This book is really thick and seems overwhelming, but the print is fairly big (it is a book for kids, after all), and has many rough, black and white drawings to illustrate the action. I read it pretty quickly actually, except for a the big gap when I wasn't reading it at all.
The story is based rather loosely on the Wizard of Oz tales (the only one of which I'm familiar with is The Wizard of Oz, and I know the movie much, much better than the book, which I have never managed to read). It was an entertaining read, but ends with a sequel clearly planned. I hate when authors set the reader up for the next book. Can't they be a bit discreet with their intentions?
April 11, 2007
I picked this up on my last day during my last trip to Dewey Beach...for the long ride home. It looked interesting enough. I was defnitely right on that account. First of all, I love books that take a story I already know and fiddle with it. As long as it fiddles in a good way....you can always improve upon a story....just don't ruin it, you know? Anyway. This one takes a different look at The Wizard of Oz. And I actually liked it. Three (or 4? my memory is a little fuzzy) girls who don't really like each other have to band together to fight an evil witch who wants the silver shoes (and I liked that they went with the original silver). I wasn't so enchanted when the went down into the wormy world, but otherwise the book was pretty good.
July 23, 2008
The Gumm Street Girls hate one another. Despite their differences, however, they end up embroiled in an adventure together when events on Gumm street start to go a little OZ. Yep, the wizard himself shows up in balloon at one point and the book is full of witches and evil deeds.
This is definitely a younger kids book despite it's size. The humor is flat and predictable and lacks the complexity of a lot of other excellent kids books. It just lacked a certain spark for me. The writing level seemed aimed at younger kids as well.
While my daughter was initially really interested in the book, by 2/3 of the way through she didn't care anymore and happily set the book asside. It's not a bad story, just not a particularly great one either.
This is definitely a younger kids book despite it's size. The humor is flat and predictable and lacks the complexity of a lot of other excellent kids books. It just lacked a certain spark for me. The writing level seemed aimed at younger kids as well.
While my daughter was initially really interested in the book, by 2/3 of the way through she didn't care anymore and happily set the book asside. It's not a bad story, just not a particularly great one either.
July 27, 2012
I read this book back in 2006 when I was still a kid and it was definitely my favourite. The characters are quirky and the plot is easy to get into. I love how Primavera tries to create a more stimulating plot for kids to try and figure out. I've never really been a big fan of pictures however, and this book had that. I suppose it would be beneficial for people who like to see how things are, but the images differed from the pictures in my head I visualized. I think any pre-teen would appreciate this book and I've been disappointed a second book hasn't come out for it. It was funny and the resolution was brought upon in a correct manner. The plot flowed well, the characters were unique and developed well, and the book went at a good pace.
I loved this.
I loved this.
June 6, 2015
I picture a British person as the narrator of this book. The first time I read Gumm Street Girls, it was more of a Anthony Stewart Head and the second time I read it, quite recently when I finally bought a copy, it was Matt Smith aka the Eleventh Doctor.
This reads like a dream. I'm still waiting for the sequel and will immediately buy it when available.
With notes of Mary Poppins and Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, this is one of the best children's books but can also be enjoyed by adults. If you're still reading with your child, this is a good one to use. The relationship with The Wizard of Oz also helps the book with its wonder filled plot. It will not disappoint as long as you're willing to do funny voices for characters that are outlandish at times.
This reads like a dream. I'm still waiting for the sequel and will immediately buy it when available.
With notes of Mary Poppins and Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, this is one of the best children's books but can also be enjoyed by adults. If you're still reading with your child, this is a good one to use. The relationship with The Wizard of Oz also helps the book with its wonder filled plot. It will not disappoint as long as you're willing to do funny voices for characters that are outlandish at times.
March 3, 2016
This was a good book. I liked when the jinx turned out to be Ivy's dad at the end. The twins were really hilarious and evil at the same time. One moment they were thinking about how they looked and the next about making the girls into beauty juice to make them look young again. At first I thought Cha-Cha was kinda good but then she showed her evil self. I can't believe she put the girls through SPOZ SPUDZ and OOZE. That is just evil especially since she knew her nieces would make them slaves. I also liked how the girls were enemies at the beginning and ended up as friends. Especially since it came from a shoe a dead piano teacher gave Ivy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2017
Re-reading this staple of my childhood, I'm finding that it holds up to my memory. It's just as enjoyable a read at 19 as it was at 9. I will venture to say that, outside of Broadway, this is the only Wizard of Oz spinoff worth your time.
The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls is a remarkable book. The characters are endearing and relatable; the story is original; the setting is intriguing. In re-reading the same library copy I lovingly dog-eared a decade ago, I find that the pages are littered with phrases that have stuck in my memory, papering my subconscious. The prose is delightful. The illustrations are charming. Please read this book.
The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls is a remarkable book. The characters are endearing and relatable; the story is original; the setting is intriguing. In re-reading the same library copy I lovingly dog-eared a decade ago, I find that the pages are littered with phrases that have stuck in my memory, papering my subconscious. The prose is delightful. The illustrations are charming. Please read this book.
September 23, 2009
In the book The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls, by Elise Primavera, friendship, loyalty, and cleverness are found. Four very different girls are forced together when something happens on Gumm street. When these four very different girls with very different talents come together, this book traps you into a trance where you feel like you're apart of the story! I usually exaggerate when I say I couldn't put this book down, this time I can't exaggerate, because this time it's true! I couldn't put it down! I highly recommend this book to any girl who likes mystery and fantasy.
August 21, 2014
As an Oz completist, the idea of this book intrigued me, but I'm probably not the right demographic for it. Parts were charming--the old Hollywood tie-in, using Judy Garland's real last name as the street name, Fred and Ginger, combining bits and pieces from both the book and movie versions of Oz.
Other parts--the blingy witch twins, the potatoes (ugh)--not so much. However, those slapsticky parts of the book might appeal to younger readers. I did like the ending, though, and am mildly curious about a possible sequel.
Other parts--the blingy witch twins, the potatoes (ugh)--not so much. However, those slapsticky parts of the book might appeal to younger readers. I did like the ending, though, and am mildly curious about a possible sequel.
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