Olivia Bean searches for answers in engaging story

  • Sunday, January 20, 2013 2:57pm
  • Life

“Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen” by Donna Gephart. Age 8 and older. $17.

For 12-year-old Olivia Bean, the best half-hour of the day is when the game show “Jeopardy!” is on television.

It’s the only time when Olivia feels she’s in control of her life. After all, her dad has moved away and is living in California with his new family. Her mom’s boyfriend has moved in. And she has to deal with 5-year-old Charlie, whom she calls “little bother.”

But when Olivia has a chance to try out for the Kids Week on her favorite game show, she sees a real opportunity to make her life better. If she got picked to be on the show, she could go to California and see her dad.

This is a book you won’t want to stop reading for several reasons. Not only are you wondering if Olivia’s family situation will improve, but you’re also on the edge of your seat to see if she’ll make it to the next round of “Jeopardy!” (Who is L. Frank Baum? What was the first Lifesaver flavor?)

What’s the name of a great read for fans of trivia and lovers of fun books?

The answer, Alex, is, “Who is ‘Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen?’”

Tracy Grant, The Washington Post

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Emma Corbilla Doody and her husband, Don Doody, inside  their octagonal library at the center of their octagon home on Thursday, May 2, 2024 in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Is this Sultan octagon the ugliest house in America?

Emma Corbilla Doody and Don Doody bought the home for $920,000 last year. Not long after, HGTV came calling.

People parading marching down First Street with a giant balloon “PRIDE” during Snohomish’s inaugural Pride celebration on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in downtown Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
What does Pride mean to you? The Herald wants to know.

Local LGBTQ+ folks and allies can share what Pride means to them before May 27.

Mickey Mouse and Buddha are among this bracelet’s 21 charms. But why?

This piece’s eclectic mix of charms must say something about its former owner. Regardless, it sold for $1,206 at auction.

Great Plant Pick: Pond cypress

What: This selection of pond cypress (Taxodium distichum var. imbricatum ‘Nutans’) is… Continue reading

From lilacs to peonies, pretty flowers make the perfect Mother’s Day gift

Carnations may be the official Mother’s Day flower, but many others will also make Mom smile. Here are a few bright ideas.

Maximum towing capacity of the 2024 Toyota Tundra Hybrid is 11,450 pounds, depending on 4x2 or 4x4, trim level, and bed length. The Platinum trim is shown here. (Toyota)
Toyota Tundra Hybrid powertrain overpowers the old V8 and new V6

Updates for the 2024 full-sized pickup include expansion of TRD Off-Road and Nightshade option packages.

2024 Ford Ranger SuperCrew 4X4 XLT (Photo provided by Ford)
2024 Ford Ranger SuperCrew 4X4 XLT

Trucks comes in all shapes and sizes these days. A flavor for… Continue reading

Modern-day Madrid is a pedestrian mecca filled with outdoor delights

In the evenings, walk the city’s car-free streets alongside the Madrileños. Then, spend your days exploring their parks.

Burnout is a slow burn. Keep your cool by snuffing out hotspots early

It’s important to recognize the symptoms before they take root. Fully formed, they can take the joy out of work and life.

Budget charges me a $125 cleaning fee for the wrong vehicle!

After Budget finds animal hairs in Bernard Sia’s rental car, it charges him a $125 cleaning fee. But Sia doesn’t have a pet.

Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

The Grand Kyiv Ballet performs Thursday in Arlington, and Elvis impersonators descend on Everett this Saturday.

Penny Clark, owner of Travel Time of Everett Inc., at her home office on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In a changing industry, travel agents ‘so busy’ navigating modern travel

While online travel tools are everywhere, travel advisers still prove useful — and popular, says Penny Clark, of Travel Time in Arlington.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.