Finley Flowers Series
Illustrated by Jessica Secheret, published by Capstone Young Readers
Book 1— ORIGINAL RECIPE
This third-grade star can take anything from duct tape to glitter glue and create something incredible. But Finley has a major problem: her best friend Henry is about to turn nine, and she has no idea what to give him for his birthday. The school cook-off could be the perfect solution, but it’s hard to come up with something original and tasty. As one creative concoction leads to another, Finley discovers that cooking is just like the rest of life—things don’t always turn out as planned, and friendship is the real prize.
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Imagination Soup’s list of Best Books for Young Readers
“Third-grader Finley Flowers stars in this entertaining series opener. . . . As friendship and family dilemmas spike the plot, Young avoids handing easy victories to her determined and undeniably creative heroine.” — Publishers Weekly
“This is a light, endearing story of friendship that will work well as a read-aloud or for a newly solo reader.” — Booklist
“Full of fun and flavor, Original Recipe is a book that my girl could really sink her teeth into. . . . So if you know a little girl like mine, remember that her books don’t have to be filled with damsels in distress. Find her heroines with some spunk and gumption, and you’ll create a young reader who’s well on her way to discovering her own sense of power and potential.” — BookTrib
“Young writes in a spirited style that displays Finley’s seemingly unbounding optimism, but she also shows that her bravado masks a lack of confidence. . . . Recipes don’t always turn out as planned, but Finley discovers her strengths and what matters most in life.” — Canadian Review of Materials
Book 2 — NATURE CALLS
Summer is here, and Finley is heading to Camp Acorn! She can’t wait to make crafts and eat s’mores. When nature calls and Finley and her cabinmate Olivia get lost on the way to the restrooms, Finley’s spooky ghost story comes back to haunt them. As they work together to find a creative way home, Finley discovers that there’s more than one way to be tough.
Book 3 — NEW & IMPROVED
Finley is excited to create something great for her class Invention Convention—thinking up new ideas is her thing! When the prototype of her Supersonic Sibling Sublimator fails, Finley invents a hilarious device guaranteed to make people laugh more and live longer. Will her entertaining invention work on the super-serious invention judges?
Book 4 — ART-RAGEOUS
Finley can’t wait for the class field trip to the art museum. After all, she’s always painting and gluing and snazzifying and glitterizing. When Mr. Spark assigns a group project based on the question ‘What is art?’ Finley figures it’ll be a snap. But the more art she sees, the more mixed-up she gets. As Finley and her friends learn to work together, they discover the power of art and make their mark in a Fin-tastic way.
Book 5 — SUPER SPOOKTACULAR
Finley’s creative skills are put to the test when a morning mix-up leaves her costumeless for the class Halloween party and parade.
Book 6 — FIN-TASTIC FASHION
While eating lunch in the cafeteria, Finley and her friends are inspired to create a new fashion fad with a mission.
Book 7 — PET-RIFIED
When Finley’s next-door neighbor needs a last-minute pet sitter, it seems like the purr-fect opportunity for Finley to prove she’s ready for a pet. But she soon learns that taking care of a pet isn’t all cuteness and cuddles.
Book 8 — ROOM TO BLOOM
It’s time for Finley’s class to vote on a service-learning project, and Finley has a Fin-tastic plan: a class garden! But after days of watering and waiting, Finley and her friends wonder if the seeds they planted will ever sprout.
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Activities: Download printable activities and learning resources.