The Last Holiday Concert

Winterhope.
It didn't sound like much, but it was a big idea. A very big idea.
It all started when Hart Evans zinged a rubber band that hit Mr. Meinert, the chorus director. Actually, it started before that, when Mr. Meinert learned he was out of a job because the town budget couldn't afford music and art teachers. Mr. Meinert got so mad at Hart that he told the sixth graders he'd had it -- they could produce the big holiday concert on their own. Or not. It was all up to them.
What happens when a teacher steps aside and lets the kids run the show? Not what Mr. Meinert would have predicted. And not what Hart Evans would have guessed, not at all.
Out of chaos, infighting, compromise, idealism, and finally, a fragile peace, the sixth grade choral concert was born. And they called it Winterhope.
But would it be the last holiday concert of them all?

Author: Andrew Clements
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published: 10/01/2004
Pages: 166
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.62lbs
Size: 8.48h x 5.80w x 0.67d
ISBN: 9780689845161
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.4
Point Value: 4
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 82274 / Last Holiday Concert


Award: Great Stone Face Book Award - Nominee
Award: Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Garden State Children's Book Awards - Winner
Award: William Allen White Childens Book Award - Nominee
Award: Rhode Island Children's Book Awards - Nominee
Award: Volunteer State Book Awards - Nominee
Award: Virginia Readers Choice Award - Winner
Award: North Carolina Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award - Nominee
Award: Nevada Young Readers' Award - Nominee
Award: Massachusetts Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Young Hoosier Book Award - Nominee


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 10/15/2004 pg. 403
Publishers Weekly 10/11/2004 pg. 80
School Library Journal 10/01/2004 pg. 159
Kirkus Review - Children 11/01/2004 pg. 1048
Horn Book Magazine 11/01/2004 pg. 657
Booksense '76 Childrens Wtr 04 12/01/2004 pg. 1
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2005 pg. 71 - Superior,Well Above Average

About the Author
Andrew Clements (1949-2019) was the author of the enormously popular Frindle. More than 10 million copies of his books have been sold, and he was nominated for a multitude of state awards, including a Christopher Award and an Edgar Award. His popular works include About Average, Troublemaker, Extra Credit, Lost and Found, No Talking, Room One, Lunch Money, and more. He was also the author of the Benjamin Pratt & the Keepers of the School series. Find out more at AndrewClements.com.