When Life Gives You O.J., Erica S. Perl
When Life Gives You O.J., Erica S. Perl
List: $15.00 | Sale: $10.50
Club: $7.50

When Life Gives You O.J.

Author: Erica S. Perl

Narrator: Abigail Revasch

Unabridged: 4 hr 47 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/12/2013


Synopsis

For years, 10-year-old Zelly Fried has tried to convince her parents to let her have a dog. After all, practically everyone in Vermont owns a dog, and it sure could go a long way helping Zelly fit in since moving there from Brooklyn. But when her eccentric grandfather Ace hatches a ridiculous plan involving a "practice dog" named OJ, Zelly's not so sure how far she's willing to go to win a dog of her own. Is Ace's plan so crazy it just might work . . . or is it just plain crazy?

Erica S. Perl weaves an affectionate and hilarious tale that captures the enduring bond between grandparents and grandchildren.  Even when they're driving each other nuts.

About The Author

ERICA S. PERL is the author several picture books and the young adult novel Vintage Veronica, which Publishers Weekly called "wonderfully fun!" In addition to writing books, Erica works at First Book, the groundbreaking non-profit organization that has provided over 70 million brand new books to children in need. She lives in Washington, D.C., with her family.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Laurel on September 06, 2011

Okay, so here's what I've been puzzling over with this book-- it's a PRIME example of the sort of book that sometimes struggles to find the right readers, I think. Because it takes real risks, in quiet ways. It doesn't announce itself as "quirky" or "zany." It just is those things, because it is hum......more

Goodreads review by Erica on May 28, 2011

OK, I'm biased (I'm the author), but here's what PW said: "In this warm novel about family, friendship, and fitting in... Perl (Vintage Veronica) offers a refreshing take on the grandparent-grandchild rapport. The novel strikes an admirable balance of humor and pathos--at times in the same scene." An......more

Goodreads review by Betsy on August 17, 2011

Children's librarians can be neatly divided into two categories with relatively little difficulty. Basically, they either love and adore dogs and all things doggie related or they don't. I don't. I was never the kid begging her parents for a hound. I did not dream of fluffy golden retriever puppies......more

Goodreads review by Clare on September 29, 2018

Sweet story I read with my third and fourth grade book club! Zelly’s family gives her a “practice” dog made out of a plastic jug to learn responsibility before deciding if she can have a real dog of her own. Along the way, Zelly also learns about friendship and not being ashamed of who you are. Her......more

Goodreads review by K.L. on October 08, 2011

Zelda Fried, pronounced freed, wants a dog, wants to go to camp Sonrise with her best friend Allie, and she wants to move back to her old neighborhood. That's quite a bit for an almost eleven year old going int the sixth grade. When Zelly asks her parents if she can go to camp with her best friends,......more