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If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period (by Gennifer Choldenko)

common sense media says

Engrossing story of fitting in at private school.

parents & educators say
See all 7 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that many products are mentioned by name, most of them junk foods (from Snickers to Krispy Kreme to Burger King). Also, part of the plot revolves around a "love child," and some secondary characters are racist.

Positive messages: Several secondary characters, both adults and children, are racist -- they're not likable, and their racism is part of their nastiness.
Positive role models: Some of the kids at school are truly mean and cruel, and many of the adult figures in the story are disconnected and ineffectua
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Mentions of tampons, bras, sperm. A major plot point revolves around an adult who has what is referred to as a "love child."
Language: A few uses of "crap." Plus "butt," "butthead," "God," "snot," "buttolgy," "shut up,"
"sucks," "turd." Derogatory racial names are also used: "Burrito
Boy" for Matteo and "Martin Luther King" for Walk. 
Consumerism: Many products and stores are mentioned, including Snickers, Nike, Nordstrom, Nintendo, Amway, Seventeen Magazine, Krispy Kremes, Costco, Fritos, Ruffles, Burger King, and more.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Sylvia quit smoking but relapses once in the story. Walk catches her
smoking and she quickly stamps out the cigarette. Johnny Walker is also
mentioned.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the issue of fitting in. How far would you go to fit in? Is it possible to get along and be happy in middle and high school and be yourself at the same time?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Entering seventh grade at her upscale private school, nothing's going right for Kirsten. Her parents aren't speaking to each other, her best friend, Rory, has abandoned her for the mean social queen bee of their grade, and she's gained 30 pounds in the last few months. But on the first day she meets new kid Walk -- one of the very few African-Americans at her school -- and they soon strike up a friendship.

Kirsten's mother isn't happy about this new friendship and advises her to "be one of the crowd." Perhaps a new pair of boots from Nordstrom's will help. But when a shocking family secret -- the source of the friction between her parents -- is revealed, it's Kirsten's good heart and common sense that will pull them through.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
This shouldn't work. First of all, the "fat girl abandoned by friend for popular mean girl" plot has been done -- to death. Second, the story hinges on an unlikely melodramatic coincidence that comes out of left field. Add in an awkward structure of alternating chapters about Kirsten and Walk -- the former in first person, the latter in third -- and you should have a mess.

But author Gennifer Choldenko, who won a Newbery Honor two years ago for Al Capone Does My Shirts, knows how to draw readers in and keep them there. Kirsten and Walk are winning protagonists (and Kirsten's voice is snappy-humorous), the short alternating chapters keep readers wanting more, and, just when you think you know where it's all going, the big coincidence adds a fascinating level of complexity. For a book with so little action, it's awfully hard to put down.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Gennifer Choldenko
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Publication date: September 1, 2007
Number of pages: 216
Hardcover price: $17.00
Read Aloud: 10
Read Alone: 11
This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

peony
parent of 10 and 12 year old
 
Appealing; but protagonist's disordered eating is a concern
Appealing and enjoyable. Some unlikable characters show race and class prejudices. The "love child" plot component might be more unsettling for some readers than others. My main concern, however, is on the very likable girl protagonist's disordered eating: she sneaks and hides junk food and has not only put on 30 pounds, but is ashamed to have others know or see what she's been eating. While it's a plausible character and plot point so it makes sense in the story, it nevertheless concerns me as a behavior model, especially as this character is so likable. I'd think long and hard about a girl reader's own body image, and any proclivity towards disordered eating, in deciding whether to recommend the book.
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yvettex24x@aim.com
teen, 16 years old
10
 
Fr0m the PerspectivE of a Girl who doesnt liKe to reAd!
this book was aaight. The author did a good job writing it but should consider publishing a book just for teens. My sister enjoyed this book, she thought it was funny in some way. :)
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (3)
Phoeberainbow
kid, 13 years old
11
 
Read this please, but not 9 and under
I really loved this book. I don't think kids under ten should read it though. BUT, I loved this book!!!
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c_b25630
teen, 15 years old
2
 
LOV IT
this is the best book i have every read. . . i loved reading it for the first time I love to read gross books and realistic books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . YOU SHOULD READ IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU WILL LOVE IT. . . AND IF YOU DON'T YOU'RE WEIRD!
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)
lilmissfrankie
kid, 12 years old
9
 
good enough
to keep me entertained, good for tweens and up
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (3)
mariahnicole
teen, 16 years old
12
 
This book is a good book for everyone 12 and up.
I loved this book. I am 4teen and it was a very personal book for me. I am mixed and it taught me that some people may be racist but they are many more people who don't notice the color of your skin. My parents are also always fighting and she taught me how to handle it properly. I can relate alot to this story. People; the word "crap" is not a bad word. If you don't let your kid say crap; your over protective. Just sayin. (:
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polkadotsrice
kid, 11 years old
9
 
If a tree fall at lunch period
its a really good book its fast paced and surprising i thinks its more for girls though its one of the best books i read i wish there was a sequel to it i wold read it
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