One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street by Joanne Rocklin

Summary: One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street by Joanne Rocklin is a feel-good read for all ages. Rocklin unites the stories of a variety of characters into a satisfying whole, much like an orange’s peel unites the many sections of the fruit. (I promise, the cheesy analogy relates to the book!)


Orange Street is named after the orange grove that covered the area. Now only one tree remains, in an empty lot that has become the neighborhood gathering place. The tree is a centerpiece filled with generations of memories for the residents of Orange Street, both young and old.

Ms. Snoops is losing her memory, but can still remember many of the wonderful times she had playing under that tree as a child, when it sat in the backyard of her best friend’s house so many years ago. Before the house burned down and was never rebuilt.

The members of the GWLH (Girls With Long Hair) club meet almost daily at the tree. Bunny/Bonita is the superstitious member whose secret little rituals help keep her mother safe on her many travels. Leandra is about to be a big sister and isn’t sure how she feels about it; fortunately she has her grandparents to help her figure it out. Ali is struggling with her own feelings about her little brother< Edgar, who got sick and never really got better.

Throw in Robert, the boy who wants to be a magician and Manny, Edgar’s male nanny, and you have a diverse and fun cast of characters who balance wisdom (Ms. Stoops and Manny) with childhood hopefulness. Add a stranger who threatens their happy existence around a stately old orange tree and you have a wonderful story that takes place across generations, while only happening in a day and a half.

Themes:
Friendship
Community
Family
Unity


Age Appropriateness:
Any


Areas of concern (content):
Foul Language: none
Nudity/Adult Content: none
Violence: none