What Happened on Fox Street

Springstubb, Tricia. 2010. WHAT HAPPENED ON FOX STREET. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780061986352 [Suggested Grade Levels 3-6]

REVIEW
Mo Wren loves her street. It has everything a neighborhood should have. You have the woman with the perfect garden, the person who gives you milk and cookies (Italian Pizzelles to boot!) and the house with tons of kids… all of them bad. Everyone on Fox Street knows Mo and her little sister, “Wild Thing,” and they all look out for one another. But changes are starting to happen. Some of the neighbors are getting older and thinking of moving out. A real estate developer is fueling this fire by offering to buy their homes before the city comes and tries to buy them out for expansion. In the middle of all of this, Mo is dealing with memories, both good and bad, of what (really) happened on Fox street and why she hates surprises.

This genuine story of change and growing up hosts a wide and fun cast of characters, from Mo's handsome and irresponsible father, to Da, the ailing grandmother of her best friend. The writing style is eloquent and descriptive. When Mo "rabbits" her nose or when Da tells them to "kiss your brain," you are forced into a knowing smile yourself.

CONNECTIONS
WHAT HAPPENED ON FOX STREET is the perfect vehicle to launch a discussion on family, community and change.

RELATED BOOKS
For more stories about a young girl coping in a single parent home, young readers can try the “Alice” series, starting with:
Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. THE AGONY OF ALICE. ISBN 9781439541999

By Marianne Follis