The Fifth Favorite is the story of eleven-year-old Allie Whitman who is dealing with stress about her sixth-grade science project, embarrassment about her chicken costume for Halloween, and fear of the Mad Woman of Tahoe Meadow. Added to this, she feels that she is her mother’s fifth favorite in their family of six. She tries hard to up her status, but competing with her dad, a charming older brother, a brainy older sister, and a younger sister with autism; Allie laments that she may be stuck forever as low man on the totem pole.
The stakes escalate for Allie when her brother Paul, blackmails her into keeping a dark secret in exchange for his silence about one of her foolhardy decisions. When Paul’s secret turns dangerous, Allie must decide between her mother’s approval or saving her brother’s life.
The Fifth Favorite is a clever story filled with lovable characters, a bit of mystery, and plenty of hope.
Reviews:
The Fifth Favorite by Gale Sears is the perfect book, it quickly pulls you into the story and holds you captive until the very end. The characters are memorable and come alive on each page. The setting is nostalgic and presented in rich detail, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The main character, Allie Whitman and her best friend, Francis, couldn’t be more delightful and fun. The author fills the story with phrases and standards typical of the era bringing it to life. We meet Mrs. Hemmett, the mad woman everyone is afraid of and learn, along with Allie, that every person has a story and you shouldn’t judge people by how they look and that you might be surprised once you get to know them. Filled with secrets, heartache, humor, inspiration and fun, The Fifth Favorite is a sweet and tender story that you won’t want to end. (Michele Bell, Author – A Candle in the Window)
“Truly delightful! The Fifth Favorite is a clever story filled with lovable characters, a bit of mystery, and plenty of hope.” (Frank Cole, Author of the Potions Master series)
Beautiful story about the impact of addiction in a middle-class family. Told through the eyes of a young girl, the story is funny, insightful and poignant. I was totally absorbed and moved to tears. (Sally Meyer, Screenwriter)