A Tough Nut to Crack

Cassie’s father and grandfather don’t get along, but despite their differences, Cassie is resolved to bring her family back together, no matter what it takes

Cassie Bell’s father and grandfather had a falling-out years ago, so Cassie has never had the chance to meet her grandfather. But when her dad gets a call saying that Grandpa Ruben is in the hospital, the family heads off to Kentucky to make sure he’s all right.
 
Grandpa Ruben is nothing like what Cassie expected. From the way her dad talks about him, she pictured a mean old man, but it turns out that her grandfather is lively, goofy, and loving. Still, Cassie’s dad and Grandpa Ruben can barely be in the same room with each other. A plan slowly starts to form in Cassie’s mind: What if she could find a way to get them back together again?
 
Cassie doesn’t know why her dad and grandpa don’t speak anymore, but she’s determined to find out. If only they weren’t so stubborn! She wants to have her grandfather in her life, and she’s going to solve this problem whether these two like it or not!

“The novel’s simplicity, humor, action, and warmth will appeal to a broad range of readers.” —School Library Journal
 
“This slice-of-life story is both sweet and funny, and Birdseye’s detailed setting and strong characters make the familiar setup fresh. Cassie is a regular kid who reacts to the feud with a mixture of empathy and impatience, and her determination to fix the problem is both appropriately naive and well intentioned.” —Booklist
 
“Stubbornness creates, prolongs and then ultimately manages to take the edge off a feud in this comfortably conventional family tale.” —Kirkus Reviews
 
“Effectively paced . . . Details delivered to great effect . . . Each character delivers a unique point of humor to the storyline. . . . Splendid protagonist . . . Friends of family fiction and humor alike will be drawn to Cassie’s quest.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books