The school story [eBook - NC Kids Digital Library

Twelve-year-old Natalie Nelson has written a powerful school story. It's a short novel called "The Cheater," and her best friend Zoe is certain it should be published. All Natalie has to do is give the manuscript to her mom, an editor at a big publishing house. However Natalie doesn't want any favors from her mom. Still, Zoe won't drop the idea. Spurred into action, Natalie invents a pen name for herself and Zoe becomes a self-styled literary agent. But if the girls are to succeed, they'll need support from their wary English teacher, legal advice from Zoe's tough-talking father, and some clever maneuvering to outwit the overbearing editor in chief of Shipley Junior Books . Andrew Clements, the best-selling author of Frindle , The Landry News , and The Janitor's Boy , delights his audience with this story of two irrepressible girls who use their talent, ingenuity, and a little cunning to try to make a young writer's dream come true. Book Magazine Twelve-year-old Natalie Nelson has written a novel set at a school. Her best friend, Zoe, loves it and is convinced it should be published. Although Natalie's mother is a children's-book editor, Natalie hesitates to show her the manuscript. Zoe convinces Natalie to submit the novel to her mother under a pen name. When Mrs. Nelson shows an interest in publishing the work, Zoe, posing on the phone as an agent, drives a hard bargain—but Natalie starts to worry about the consequences of deceiving her mother. Two middle school girls scheme to publish a book in this novel from Andrew Clements, the author of Frindle . Natalie's best friend, Zoe, is sure that the novel Natalie's written is good enough to be published. But how can a twelve-year-old girl publish a book? Natalie's mother is an editor for a big children's publisher, but Natalie doesn't want to ask for any favors. Then Zoe has a brilliant idea: Natalie can submit her manuscript under a pen name, with Zoe acting as her literary agent. But it's not easy for two sixth graders to put themselves over as grown-ups, even with some help from a couple of real grown-ups who are supportive but skeptical. The next bestselling school story may be in their handsbut can Natalie and Zoe pull off their masquerade? After twelve-year-old Natalie writes a wonderful novel, her friend Zoe helps her devise a scheme to get it accepted at the publishing house where Natalie's mother works as an editor. Natalie uses a pseudonym to write her first book, and her friend, Zoe, pretends to be an agent. With a little help from an English teacher, the book exceeds everyone's expectations and becomes a bestseller!