City-girl Taylor was used to visiting the Mall of America anytime she wanted. Now, however, visits to the mall are few and far between. Taylor's parents have purchased a farm in a small rural town, and instead of shopping, Taylor spends her weekends collecting eggs, feeding sheep, and helping her parents make improvements to their badly neglected farm. Taylor's new classmates quickly nickname her "Boots" when she accidentally wears an ugly, old pair of barn boots to school on her first day, and her reputation doesn't improve in the following weeks when she suffers a series of unfortuante learning experiences on the farm. Happily,Taylor does pick up a new hobby and she makes some new friends. In fact, these friends convince Taylor they can help her carry out a plan to convince Taylor's parents to sell the farm and return to the big city. Taylor must decide if her friends' plan is worth the sacrifices necessary to allow her to return to her old life. ( )

City-girl Taylor was used to visiting the Mall of America anytime she wanted. Now, however, visits to the mall are few and far between. Taylor's parents have purchased a farm in a small rural town, and instead of shopping, Taylor spends her weekends collecting eggs, feeding sheep, and helping her parents make improvements to their badly neglected farm. Taylor's new classmates quickly nickname her "Boots" when she accidentally wears an ugly, old pair of barn boots to school on her first day, and her reputation doesn't improve in the following weeks when she suffers a series of unfortuante learning experiences on the farm. Happily,Taylor does pick up a new hobby and she makes some new friends. In fact, these friends convince Taylor they can help her carry out a plan to convince Taylor's parents to sell the farm and return to the big city. Taylor must decide if her friends' plan is worth the sacrifices necessary to allow her to return to her old life. ( )

Twelve-year-old Taylor McNamara has been forced to move from Minneapolis, Minnesota to the small farming community of Melberg because her mother has always wanted to farm. She has to start a new school, leave all of her friends behind, and learn how to adjust to farm living. It is alot for anyone to experience let alone a middle school student!

Barn Boot Blues tells the story of how Taylor adjusts to her new life. She is a good kid and tries very hard to be a good farmer. However, embarrassing situations such as wearing her barn boots to school on the first day cause Taylor to feel overwhelmed by her new life. She finds solace in spinning yarn and a few new friends, but she still misses living in the city. Furthermore, her parents are so busy, they barely have time for her. Poor Taylor ends up feeling "discombulated."

Eventually, Taylor decides to follow her friends' advice to act poorly so her parents will be forced to move off of their farm. Following this plan is not like Taylor, but she is so miserable after some of her favorite farm animals die that she decides to go ahead with operation TEFF (Taylor Escapes From Farm). Will her plan work or will it cause even worse problems?

While this novel isn't always well-developed, it is a fun read. It is a quick and enjoyable book, and I think many preteen/young teen girls will have fun reading about Taylor's adventures. ( )