I'm surprised more people did not hype this book. It was a gem. There were a lot of life lessons and characters to love. I would definitely recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of The Peach Rebellion by Wendelin Van Draanen.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

I loved this book and how it shone light on history and also showed young women finding their voices and friendship with each other.

Believable, nuanced conflict between friends. However, it is puzzling that there is barely any mention of the Mexicans and Japanese/Japanese-Americans who were, in that area, and at that time, a major presence in farming in general and peach farming in particular. (One source said that, post WWII, Japanese farmers there had dropped to somewhere in the 30s, percentage-wise, so they were certainly a noticeable presence.) Filipinos also comprised a substantial percentage of farmers in that area, and I didn't see them mentioned at all.

I loved Van Draanen’s fort historical fiction novel! Great fully fleshed out characters with a nicely sewn relationship. Historical elements are meaningfully woven into the story to provide a solid emotional glimpse into the post World War II period. And the war’s impact on feminism.

Initially, I was really into this book. We get some stories about families having to move during the Dust Bowl, heading west to the promise of a better life in California. Not all of those book address the reality of discrimination faced by Okies in California. We don't often see that same family a decade later, still trying to make a life from the scraps in that "promised land". When they are worn down and have entirely abandoned hope. When years of unacknowledged grief threatens to break them. That's powerful, excellent set up. So is our other protagonist, a girl who has worked hard her whole life and is starting to dream of the larger world outside of the expectations of her parents and society. At first their two views were compelling and nicely contrasting. As the plot wore on, though, it became tiresome and repetitive.

Wonderfully written story of coming of age from three different characters. This story brings three young women that are from different social and economically backgrounds together to mend family rifts, grief and illustrates acceptance of others. Fantastic read!

Ginny Rose and Peggy were the best of friends when they were younger, and now that Ginny Rose's family has moved back, they are determined to pick back up. However, Peggy has a new best friend, Lisette, and Lisette and Ginny Rose are at odds. Not only is the matter of their dear friend to contend with, but all three girls are from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Each family has its own issues to address, and all three girls will force their family's fissure to crack as they grow.

Wendelin Van Draanen's The Peach Rebellion is a sweet coming of age story, feminism, and standing up for one's self. Despite the disparities in a post depression US, the three girls will journey together to find a new future for them all, changing the lives of those around them. While the book starts out slowly, the story picks up speed as it drives to the end.

Disclaimer: A copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

Ginny Rose, Peggy, and Lisette couldn't be more different on the surface, but in the years following The Great Depression and World War II, they are each dealing with issues regarding work, family, boys, and their place in the world. Ginny Rose is trying to navigate the aftermath of losing their farm in the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma and spending years on the road as an Okie and a picker. Peggy's family owns a peach farm that they work sun up to sun down, with little time for anything else. Lisette's father is a banker and the life of luxury she seems to have looks very different from the inside. As they find their similarities and work towards a common goal, these three young women are unstoppable. Highly recommended for grades 7 & up.

Isn't this cover just delightful?

I would have picked this book off the shelf no matter what the description was, just because that cover is so fresh and bold.

Thankfully, the story inside was just as unique and moving. While I did feel the narrative dragged a bit in the middle, overall I enjoyed reading about Ginny Rose, Peggy, Lisette, and their friendships. I loved the 1940s California setting, as well as the focus on family dynamics and women's rights. The ending made me smile, too.

Read this if you liked Anatomy: A Love Story or Bloomsbury Girls.

Coming-of-age historical fiction about friendship, family, and the lengths you'll go to for the people you love

THE PEACH REBELLION is the first historical novel from the prolific and award-winning author Wendelin Van Draanen who first gave us Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief almost 25 years ago. Van Draanen's latest work is set in 1947 California and focuses on three high school girls: Ginny Rose, a self-reliant but very poor transfer from Oklahoma who is working at the local cannery for the summer; Peggy, daughter of hard-working peach farmers and childhood friend of Ginny Rose; and Lisette, more chic and privileged as an only child of the local banker. Ginny Rose has overcome many obstacles and offers a homespun philosophy: "As I reset the tire and pump it full of air, I start thinkin' about how a tire is like life itself. When it springs a leak, you can moan about the flat, or you can patch it up, pump it full of air again, then get back on and ride." Peggy is struggling to figure out friendships, boys, and her place on the farm, saying, "If you don't become your mother, I won't become mine. I'll figure out what I want to do, and I'll make myself brave enough to go after it." Over several escapades, the girls eventually combine resources to help Ginny Rose's family and to teach the adults a few lessons, too. In her author's note, Van Draanen explains that she hopes readers will "think and talk about why we label and treat people as outsiders, the lingering effects of economic disparity, and the fortifying power of being part of something bigger than oneself." The girls, while strong and memorable characters, seem young and somewhat naïve, in part reflecting the well-researched historical setting, so this well-written and engaging title will likely appeal most to middle school and early high school readers.

I always love a fruity type of novel! This one hit the spot and I am beyond lucky to have read this. This is a historical novel, mainly taking place in the 1940s and it felt very light. Some historical fictions are very heavy in that time period and I get a little lost, but this one felt so relatable and real. I was expecting the characters to be older, but as they were only teenagers, it really immersed me in the story. They each have their own family drama, regardless the socioeconomic class they were apart of. They come together in one daring feat closer to the end, and it all comes together. The novel is told from two alternating POVs that gives the reader a taste of each distinct character's thoughts and feelings.
I once read a story about a peach farm in a class and I fell in love with it. I knew I'd fall in love with this book as well and I was not wrong. This story has so much emotion and it is carried through the story so well. Everything felt needed and that it naturally happened in that sequence. Such a joy to read these characters and their experiences. I was living life right alongside them.

5/5 stars for such a great story with a lot of hope, love, and some fruity connotations along the way!

**Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a historical fiction written for the time period of the '50 which is unique. Ginny Rose, an Okie has to overcome the prejudice from others. She makes BF with Peggy, a peach farmer's daughter, who knew her as a younger girl when Rose's family were migrant workers. Now, as teenager, they learn the prejudice of the community. This was also a problem with Peggy's BF, Lisette, a banker's daughter. It is heartwarming that the girls do a deed together and discover their own unique identities in their rebellion towards their parents. Differences are celebrated. The community begins to change.

This book just didn’t do it for me. I assumed it would’ve kept my attention more but something about it just wasn’t for me.

This book is being reviewed for the Historical Novels Review Magazine's August 1 2022 issue. A full review will be reposted after that date.

4.75 stars

The Peach Rebellion takes us back to 1947 California and into the lives of three girls from disparate backgrounds: Ginny Rose–the mature-beyond-her-years Okie who finally has a more permanent home, Peggy–the peach farmer’s daughter, and Lisette–the banker’s daughter. It’s the summer before their senior year of high school and, with Peggy as the nexus, the three girls form–what from the outside appears as–an unlikely bond.

This coming-of-age story is well done. Told from the perspectives of Ginny Rose and Peggy, it is impossible to read it without feeling for them. It’s a tale of prejudice and growth, pride and courage, strength and change. There’s a bit of romance and butterflies, but most of the love in this book centers around family and friendship.

Moving and informative, The Peach Rebellion is a YA historical novel that I would definitely recommend.

Thank you to Random House Children’s, Knopf Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for an advance ebook copy. All opinions are my own.

I did not finish this. I had a hard time getting into the characterization. I love this author but this was not my favorite. Would still recommend and will not post my review.

The Peach Rebellion was such a pleasant surprise for me. I don't read much historical fiction, but this one really drew me in for two reasons. First, this is a time period and an area of the country I haven't reach much about, and second, I love Van Draanen's Sammy Keyes books and was interested in her other work. I'm really glad I branched out and read this, and will definitely pick up more of her YA titles.

This book follows two girls, Peggy and Ginny Rose, in 1947 California. Peggy works at her family's peach farm and Ginny Rose is a migrant work whose family is finally setting down after years of hard work and loss. The main catalyst for this story is Ginny Rose's mother's depleting mental health, as she grieves the sons the family had to bury in an unmarked grave years ago. The girls set out to retrieve the remains and give them a proper burial. If loss of a child triggers you, do not read this. This all seems fairly heavy, and it is, but the friendship is so sweet. These girls are steadfast in their loyalty to each other, and make each other better people. A third girl, Lisette, also becomes a part of their little friend group, despite being the daughter of wealthy parents. Seeing her learn about her privilege was deeply satisfying to watch. All girls experienced immense growth, but her's was amazing and powerful.

Overall, this gets a solid four stars from me. I loved the setting and felt like I could smell the peaches and feel the sun's rays beating down on me. I thought the ending wrapped up too quickly and nicely, but it was so nice either way. I definitely recommend this to historical readers. Its a real treat.