Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream - Hardcover

Jenny Han grew up in Richmond, Virginia and went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She moved to NYC for graduate school and received her MFA in Writing for Children at the New School. She currently lives in Brooklyn and works part-time as a school librarian. Her debut novel Shug was published in 2006, and The Summer I Turned Pretty in Spring 2009.

Julia Kuo grew up in Chatsworth, California. After studying illustration and marketing at Washington University in St. Louis, she started working as a greeting card designer at American Greetings, where she still works while moonlighting as an illustrator. She currently lives in Shaker Heights, Ohio.

*"This is a delightful book that will have readers looking for more adventures featuring Clara Lee and her friends."―Library Media Connection (starred review)

* "Han...captures an 8-year-old's perspective perfectly...The message shines through but doesn't overwhelm this engaging chapter book that will be welcomed by middle-grade fans of Clementine."―Kirkus (starred review)

"Sparkly and cheerful...Numerous black-and-white illustrations provide newly independent readers with both plot clues and speedy page turns in this winning chapter book."―The Horn Book

"Clara Lee thinks, speaks, and acts just like the third grader she is in this charming early chapter book. Black-and-white drawings, some full page and some spot art, feature the child, her dilemmas, and her successes. Fans of Clementine will enjoy this endearing character."―School Library Journal

"The funniest interludes are her credible interactions with her younger sister; Clara Lee's memorable descriptions, such as the "limp green bean kind of hug" she gives her grandfather when she's feeling down, will endear her to readers."―Publishers Weekly

"Readers will delight in this American-as-apple-pie third grader as she follows her BIG DREAM in a string of heartfelt adventures as perfect as an unbroken candy necklace."―Megan McDonald, author of the Judy Moody series

"I really loved Clara Lee. This is a compact little book with a big heart."―Linda Sue Park, Newbery Award-winning author of A Single Shard

"In this marvel of a book, Clara Lee shows us what it means to receive a shot of Good Luck, and at the same time she also learns how to be a better friend, granddaughter, and sister. It all adds up."―Kathi Appelt, Newbery Honor author of The Underneath and Keeper

"I love Clara Lee's surprising and dead-on similes and metaphors and her fun play on words! I also love how she's totally ethno-cool and totally American. Way to go, Clara Lee!"―Lenore Look, author of the Ruby Lu and Alvin Ho series