That's Enough, Maddie!

Jean Free, a library consultant, is a retired public-school teacher and
librarian in Whitby, Ontario.

Maddie, age 9, is the oldest of four children; she thinks it’s
“totally unfair” to have to listen to her baby sister crying and
brothers Alexander and Julian fighting. Finally she decides to run away
from home. After several misadventures, she realizes that “it would be
so nice to be someone’s little pumpkin again.” When it all turns out
to be a dream, she finds that being with her family is best of all.

Leblanc, a prize-winning novelist, wrote That’s Enough, Maddie! as
her first children’s story, to become part of a series of family
adventures. Her style is breezy and humorous, and this 10-chapter book
should appeal to 9-year-olds looking for stories longer than picture
books. The many charming illustrations by award-winning artist
Marie-Louise Gay add a witty dimension to this gentle story of an older
sister who feels like a martyr but learns that home is best.

This novel would be a good choice for Grade 3 students, where the
ensuing discussions could touch on handling relationships within the
family and school community.