Applewhites at Wit's End

Jack Semple and E.D. Applewhite are back, in this middle-grade sequel to Stephanie S. Tolan’s Newbery Honor Book Surviving the Applewhites.

Teenager E.D., the not so artistic, not at all eccentric member of the unconventional Applewhite clan, can't believe the plan her father has hatched to save the family from financial disaster. He's decided to transform their rural North Carolina farm into a summer camp for creative children.

Soon the farm is packed with temperamental artists, out-of-control campers, and an even more out-of-control goat. It's all a little too much for structure-loving E.D., even before threatening notes begin appearing in the family mailbox. Together with Jake Semple--the boy who survived his first year in the Applewhites' home school—she's determined to save the camp and the family from disaster.

Like Carl Hiassan’s Chomp, Applewhites at Wit's End combines outrageous humor and the frustrations and joys of being part of a family.

One chaotic summer. One last chance to save their home.

Funny Middle Grade Book: Packed with witty dialogue, laugh-out-loud situations, and one very, very bad-tempered goat. Found Family Dynamics: Follows the unlikely alliance between E.D., the girl who loves order, and Jake Semple, the former troublemaker who now calls Wit’s End home. A Camp for Creative Kids: The Applewhites' last-ditch effort to save their farm involves hosting a group of temperamental young artists who might just be as chaotic as they are. A Touch of Mystery: As if out-of-control campers weren’t enough, threatening anonymous notes start appearing, forcing E.D. and Jake to solve the mystery before it’s too late.