The Pepins and Their Problems by Polly Horvath

Genre: Fanciful Fiction
Themes: Team Work, Problem Solving, Creativity, Humor
Grade Level: 3-5
Curricular Connections: Reading (Vocabulary Study, Read aloud), Geography (Location of U.S. states and cities)

The Pepins are a family that get into a great number of predicaments and are somewhat oblivious at solving them. One example is when they get stuck on their roof. Although a young girl in the neighborhood suggests having someone get a ladder, before they consider this option, they almost bungee jump off the roof without tying the bungee cord to anything but themselves. Other problems they find themselves in are when their cow gives lemonaide rather than milk, the mystery of a dapper man entering their home unannounced, and when their very fine neighbor falls in love with a barber pole, and their quest to discover he needs glasses. The author presents questions to the readers to help solve the dilemas of the Pepins as well as gives supposed suggestions from other readers around the world.

Classroom Suggestions:

1. This novel is a great read aloud. Because of the questions posed by the author, the teacher could pause and allow for discussion as students give suggestions as to what they think the Pepins might do.

2. Although this book is written for middle schoolers, Horvath uses complex vocabulary within context sporadically in the story. Students could keep a notebook or discuss the meaning of these words. They could also practice using these words in their own speaking and writing.

3. The city and state of each supposed reader's suggestions is given. Students could research these places to find out if they are all real, and locate them on a map.