Laura Ingalls Is Ruining My Life

Gr 4–6—Moving is so routine for 12-year-old Charlotte that she can't keep all the places straight. Her writer mother uproots Charlotte and her siblings once again, this time moving them to Laura Ingalls Wilder's childhood home in Walnut Creek, MN, after her mother claims Wilder's spirit visited her in a dream. Charlotte's life is turned around in unforgettable ways in this sweetly funny book. Smart and observant, Charlotte is also quite pessimistic, unlike her unfailingly optimistic mom and 11-year-old half-sister Rose. Charlotte's closeness with her hearing-impaired, nearly silent twin brother Freddy dissolves after he overcomes his shyness and makes some friends. Charlotte's class is required to write an essay about Laura Ingalls Wilder and describe her influence on their life and community. The book's title is Charlotte's response. To avoid making friends during lunch, Charlotte lies that she cheated on her essay, receives private tutoring from a caring teacher, and is made to work in the Wilder museum with Julia, the essay winner. When the museum is vandalized, Charlotte is blamed. Readers will relate to Charlotte's wariness of making friends, tendency to make snap judgements, and impulsiveness.