Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where the ladies at YA Highway post a weekly writing- or reading-related question for participants to respond to on their own blogs. You can hop from destination to destination and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.
This Week’s Topic: You’re re-reading one of your favs when someone asks the dreaded question: “What’s that book about?” Give us your best off-the-cuff blurb of any book, any genre, and have your readers try to guess the title in the comments!
Gotta love YA Highway’s example: Well, this high school chick gets her first period in the gym showers and totally freaks. Her classmates pretend to like her, then humiliate her at the prom by dumping pig blood on her head, so she kills them all by using her telekinetic powers and burning down the school… I know, I know! It’s Stephen King’s Carrie, right? 🙂
Unfortunately, pitching in a clear, concise manner isn’t one of my strengths, but this challenge is too much fun to pass up. Here’s my off-the-cuff blurb for a classic favorite:
Four optimistic siblings are forced to survive the streets of an idyllic small town after the death of their parents, while eluding the heartless grandfather they’ve never met. The children take up residence in an abandoned railroad car, and while the eldest brother works odd jobs for a kindly doctor, the others decorate their new home with treasures from the local dump. When one of the children falls ill and her siblings call on the doctor for help, he realizes they’re the grandchildren of his wealthy, benevolent friend and must determine how to best reunite the family.
So… any guesses? And don’t forget to visit YA Highway to check out the rest of the posts.
Also, before I forget… have you entered to win a brand new copy of Jessi Kirby‘s amazing debut Moonglass? I’m giving one away right HERE! The contest is super easy, open internationally, and ends this Friday, June 17th. Trust me: You want to read this book!
katyupperman.com 
Oh goodness I have no idea… A Series of Unfornuate Events? 😛 (Don’t laugh at me, please!)
Maybe The Boxcar Children aren’t popular in Canada? And your not the only one to guess A Series of Unfortunate Events. 🙂
My second grade teacher read this series to us…which makes it WAY classic…and means I never could have remembered enough to blurb it.
Yes! I remember having TBC read to me in school too. I just read it to my daughter last month–the only reason I remember enough to blurb it!
It sounds like a Lemony Snicket book, but not sure.
You’re not the only one to guess Lemony Snicket, but nope… It’s The Boxcar Children!
Hey, one I actually know. Not Lemony Snicket. My kids read several books in the series.
Aren’t they charming? 🙂
Sounds like the Box Car children to me. Loved that series as a kid!
Yes! I loved it too, and my daughter does now!
OoO I thought it was a Lemony Snicket book, but Karen Sandler said it’s not… I give up?
The Boxcar Children!
The Box Car children! I love those books (:
Yay! Me too 🙂
OMG, you mean not everyone remembers the Boxcar Children? Kids today. 😉
I know! I thought this would be super easy.
I can’t believe I haven’t read this! Sounds so cool!
I bet your kiddos would like it!
I never read these! I must get them for my second grader. Thanks!
I bet your kiddo would like them. They’re really charming and full of mystery.
I haven’t read these but I did recognize the description and knew what you were talking about!
Yay! I thought this would be super easy, but more people had trouble than I thought… 🙂
Wow, I hadn’t heard of this one before, but the boxcar children sounds like a cute children’s story!
They’re very cute, Lora. Easy chapter books, but charming and with great mystery.
I knew it was the Boxcar Children!! The fiance and I both read every single one of those books! Looooooved them!
You got it! I loved TBC growing up too… such fun mysteries!
I have never read a single Boxcar Children book. Shame on me!
Yes, shame! You should check the first on out. It’s a quick read, and very cute.
I’m not familiar with the stories–well, I haven’t read them, but I used to work at a library where lots of kids loved them. So I’m guess you’re pitch is of the Boxcar Children? Well done, by the way!
Thanks, Carol. I think they’re pretty timeless, and a great introduction to chapter books.