Crunch

By the award-winning author of Waiting for Normal and All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook, Leslie Connor. Muliple award winner: Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Book * Smithsonian Magazine Notable Book for Children * Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choice

Crunch asks: What might happen if the earth’s supply of gas runs out? It’s a perfect classroom read to spark discussions about energy conservation and the future of our planet.

Dewey Marriss is stuck in a crunch. He never guessed that the gas pumps would run dry the same week he promised to manage the family's bicycle-repair business. Suddenly everyone needs a bike. And nobody wants to wait.

Meanwhile, the crunch has stranded Dewey's parents far up north. It's up to Dewey and his older sister, Lil, to look after their younger siblings and run the bike shop all on their own. To top things off, Dewey discovers that bike parts are missing from the shop. He's sure he knows who's responsible—or does he? Will exposing the thief only make more trouble for Dewey and his siblings?

“Charming and original.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

• Kids Home Alone: When a nationwide fuel crisis strands their parents hundreds of miles away, Dewey and his sister Lil are left in charge of the house, the farm, and their three younger siblings.
• Sibling Story: Fourteen-year-old Dewey is in charge of the family bike shop, but he’ll need the help of his artistic older sister and his talented-but-shy younger brother to keep the business—and their family—from falling apart.
• Problem Solving: With the whole town suddenly desperate for pedal power, Dewey must figure out how to manage an avalanche of repairs, a shortage of parts, and customers who don’t want to wait.
• Community and Resilience: A thoughtful exploration of what happens when the gas pumps run dry, perfect for sparking discussions about self-reliance, community, and what really matters when the world grinds to a halt.