I often get asked about books for kids who are young but are precocious readers.  Laura Schaefer's The TeaShop Girls fits the bill nicely in that it's an engaging novel, and while the characters are fourteen years old and on the verge of growing up, it's not YA in the current (read: dark, edgy) sense.

Main character Annie has grown up at her grandmother's tea shop, The Steeping Leaf. As children, best friends Annie, Genna, and Zoe created a series of rules and rituals governing their tea time traditions, but as they have gotten older, their lives have diverged with their interests.

1Unfortunately, The Steeping Leaf is behind on its rent and bills, and Annie's grandmother, while an expert at human relationships, is not up to the task of saving her own business. Annie enlists the help of her friends, but all seems hopeless. Add to the mix some cute boys, "girl social politics" as my husband calls them, family dynamics, and a literary tribute to Madison, Wisconsin, and you have a sweet story perfect for younger girls ready to read above grade level and tweens.  The novel includes pages that are ostensibly excerpts from the girls' scrapbook, including retro tea adds and recipes.

For tea party ideas, and more information about this author and series, visit  teashopgirls.webnode.com/

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