Blast from the Past by Meg Cabot

This is my niece, Elizabeth.  I know this is an odd way to start a book review, but, let me explain.  Some of you may recognize her from a few years ago when she challenged me, saying she could read more books than I could that year.  She did beat me, by a couple books.  Elizabeth is still a reader, but she has other interests as well.  She was Junior Goat Princess this year at the fair, and this is her, and her pygmy goat, Fred.  She also plays volleyball, is a cheerleader, and acts in community and school theater. 

But, she's still a reader, and the last time I sent her mother a box of books, she asked if there was one for her.  Not that time, but this book will be coming soon, Elizabeth.  I hadn't read any of Meg Cabot's books in the Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls series until this one.  Blast from the Past is book six, but you don't have to have read earlier ones to love Allie.  Why does a girl who wants to be a veterinarian/actress, has two brothers, and lives in an older house within walking distance of a school remind me of Elizabeth?

Allie Finkle is excited about the class field trip.  She's never ridden a bus because she walks to school.  And, she's had bad luck, and missed every field trip, including the one the previous year at her other school, when her former best friend, Mary Kay Shiner had Allie's permission slip, but told the teacher she'd given it back to Allie. 

But, this year, she's all set.  She might not have the cell phone she wants, and her cat might be hiding in the wall, but she's going to ride a bus to Honeypot Prairie to visit a restored one-room schoolhouse and living history museum.   At least Allie's excited until she finds out her class is paired up with her old school, and her partner for the day, her "buddy," is none other than Mary Kay Shiner.

I always mention I know I'm not the target audience when I review juvenile books.  But, Meg Cabot is an exceptional author, whether she's writing for tweens, teens or adults.  Her books are always fun, with humor, and, usually lessons for the reader.  Since Allie Finkle herself has lists of rules for life, Cabot doesn't have to point out her lessons.  I think Cabot's target audience of tween girls will enjoy Allie Finkle in Blast from the Past.  So, this one is coming your way, Elizabeth. 

Meg Cabot has two websites, http://www.megcabot.com/ and http://www.alliefinklerules.com/.

Blast from the Past by Meg Cabot.  Scholastic, ©2010. ISBN 9780545040488 (hardcover), 240p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure - The publisher sent me an advanced reading copy, in hopes I would review it.