Main Street (novel series) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Main Street

Author	Ann M. Martin
Cover artist	Dan Andreason
Language	English
Genre	Fiction
Publisher	Scholastic
No. of books	10 (List of books)

The Main Street series is a collection of children's novels written by Ann M. Martin. These books were published between 2007 and 2011. The stories are about two sisters, Ruby and Flora Northrop. They move to a small town called Camden Falls. They go to live with their grandmother after their parents pass away suddenly.

The books follow the girls as they start a new life. They learn to adapt to a new town and meet new people. They also deal with old memories. In Camden Falls, they make friends like Olivia and Nikki. Olivia's grandmother owns a store with Ruby and Flora's grandmother.

Ann M. Martin started the Main Street series after finishing her popular Baby-Sitters Club books. She has said in interviews that she loves small towns. She based Camden Falls on a real place called Woodstock, New York. The author's love for sewing inspired the grandmother's sewing shop. Martin enjoyed creating a whole new imaginary town for the series. Each book even includes a detailed map of Camden Falls.

The Novels

Welcome to Camden Falls (2007)

This book introduces Ruby and Flora. They go to live with their grandmother, Mindy Read. Their parents died in a car accident. The girls are taken to the hospital where they learn the sad news. In Camden Falls, they meet Olivia Walter, who is very smart. They also meet Nikki Sherman, a girl facing tough times. Ruby and Flora don't like Camden Falls at first. But they slowly begin to feel at home in their new town.

Needle and Thread (2007)

Flora worries about celebrating holidays without her parents. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are coming up. Ruby is settling in well. She gets a part in the children's chorus and a main role in a play. Nikki's father causes problems for her. He doesn't let her and her sister Mae go trick-or-treating. The other kids dress up as characters from The Wizard of Oz. Flora, Ruby, and Nikki also plan Olivia's 10th birthday party. Flora learns that Mary Woolsey isn't as scary as she seemed. She also finds out that looking into the past can be interesting but sometimes painful.

'Tis the Season (2007)

Flora and Ruby experience their first Christmas without their parents. Nikki Sherman finds a stray dog and names him Paw-Paw. She also discovers a wonderful animal shelter called Sheltering Arms. This shelter helps stray dogs. Bill Willet dresses up as Santa Claus for the Sherman family.

Best Friends (2008)

Flora Northrop is excited about Camden Falls' 350th anniversary. Her best friend, Annika, from her old neighborhood, comes to visit. Olivia, Flora's new best friend, worries that Flora will like Annika more. She also fears Flora might regret moving to Camden Falls. Flora writes a book about the town's history. She wins a prize for her book.

The Secret Book Club (2008)

It's summer in Camden Falls. Flora, Ruby, Olivia, and Nikki wonder what to do. A mystery begins when they find books left on their doorsteps. Each book comes with a secret message. It asks them to read the book and try something new. Soon, the four friends have a secret girls-only book club. The books they read connect to things they experience that summer. The girls are curious about who the mystery book sender is. Min and their parents know but won't tell them. They have a great time reading wonderful books like Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. To celebrate, Min, the girls, and the book sender visit Sands Point.

September Surprises (2008)

Camden Falls Middle School joins with Camden Falls High School. Flora, Nikki, and Olivia start at the new combined school. Olivia is worried about being the youngest student there. Bill and Mary Willet move into a nursing home. This is because Mary's memory problems are getting worse.

Keeping Secrets (2009)

Flora and Ruby are sad that the Willets have moved. A new girl named Willow Hamilton moves into their old house. Willow doesn't seem interested in her new neighborhood. This is because her mother is struggling with her thoughts and feelings. A few days later, Mrs. Hamilton has a difficult moment. She is sent to a hospital for help with her mental health.

Special Delivery (2009)

Flora and Ruby's Aunt Allie has always wanted a baby. Now, she is about to adopt one. A quiet neighborhood Thanksgiving becomes exciting. Flora and Ruby look forward to meeting their first cousin.

Coming Apart (2010)

Nikki Sherman's father, who caused a lot of trouble for her family, left them. This happened soon after Flora and Ruby moved to Camden Falls. Nikki thought the fighting would stop. But Mr. Sherman comes back one last time to get his things. Also, Rudy Pennington's dog, Jacques, passes away from old age. Ruby accidentally breaks a glass owl that belonged to her mother.

Staying Together (2011)

Flora and Ruby have very different personalities. But they always got along before. Now, they are fighting all the time. Their friends are worried about them. Margaret shares her own story. She always regretted arguing with her sister.

Meet the Characters

Main Characters

• Ruby Jane Northrop: She is the louder sister, 8 years old at the start of the series. Ruby dreams of becoming an actress. She starred in a school play. Ruby loves to sing and dance. She takes tap, hip-hop, and ballet classes. Ruby makes friends easily. She is described as stubborn, adorable, and sometimes annoying. Ruby often gets lower grades in school. This is because she daydreams about auditions. She talks a lot and sometimes says things without thinking. Ruby often hangs out with her older sister's friends.
• Flora Marie Northrop: Flora is ten years old at the beginning of the books. She is more deeply affected by her parents' accident than Ruby. She and Ruby own a tuxedo cat named King Comma. Flora spends more time with the cat. Flora loves to sew. Mary Woolsey says Flora "has a way with words." This leads Flora to write a book. Her book wins a prize at the 350th anniversary celebration. Flora is often described as smart, shy, and sensitive. The author sees Flora as the main character. However, she enjoys writing about Ruby more.
• Nicolette "Nikki" Sherman: Nikki is a girl facing tough times. She lives on the "wrong side of town," a bit far from the main houses. Her father causes problems for her family. Her mother is often not home. Nikki and her siblings, Mae and Tobias, are afraid of their father. Their house is small and old. But it shows signs of care. After Ruby and Flora move to Camden Falls, Nikki's father leaves the family.
• Olivia Walter: Olivia is a Black girl who lives next door to Flora and Ruby. She is the youngest in her grade. Olivia is very smart and talented. Her hobbies include science and math. She is Flora's best friend. Her father loses his job. Then, her parents start their own business. It's called 'Yours Sincerely,' a basket shop. Olivia has younger brothers named Henry and Jack. Olivia's grandmother, Evelyn (called 'Gigi'), helps own the Needle and Thread shop.

Row House Residents

• Mindy Read: She is Flora and Ruby's practical grandmother. Her nickname is Min. When the sisters were younger, she would always say "In a minute" when they asked for something. She owns a sewing shop called Needle and Thread. Min has a Golden Retriever dog named Daisy Dear.
• The Morrises: This is an African American family. They are described as one of the most normal families. They have four children: Matthias and Lacey, who are twins, and Travis and Alyssa.
• William "Bill" Willet: An old man who cares for his wife, Mary. Mary's memory problems are getting worse. They eventually move into the local nursing home. Another family moves into their house. The Willets were inspired by the author's own parents.
• The Malones: A dentist who lives with his daughters, Margaret and Lydia. Their mother died from a serious illness several years before Ruby and Flora moved in. Margaret is a kind teenager preparing for college. Lydia is a difficult girl who hangs out with the wrong crowd.
• The Walters: Olivia's family includes herself, her younger brothers, her parents, and her grandmother, Gigi. Later, Mr. Walter loses his job. He and his wife start their own business, Sincerely Yours, a basket shop.
• Rudy Pennington: A retired teacher. His beloved dog, Jacques, passes away from old age later in the books. In the last novel, he gets a new brown dog named Variety.
• Robert "Robby" Edwards: The oldest child living in the row houses. He has Down syndrome.
• The Fongs: A Chinese American couple. They later have a baby daughter named Grace.

Other Characters

• Evelyn "Gigi" Walter: Olivia's grandmother. She works at Needle and Thread with Min.
• Mary Woolsey: Mary works at Needle and Thread doing mending. There are many rumors about her. Flora is scared of her at first. Later in the series, Mary and Flora become good friends.
• The Hamiltons: A family with shy siblings. Their mother struggles with her thoughts and feelings. They move from New Hampshire to the Willet's old house in the seventh book, Keeping Secrets. Mrs. Hamilton often sets strange rules. She is later sent to a hospital for help. Several months later, she returns home.
• Mae Sherman: Tobias and Nikki's younger sister. She dislikes her father, like her older siblings.
• Tobias Sherman: Nikki and Mae's much older brother. He works part-time to help his family. Halfway through the books, he goes to college. He is the first Sherman to do so.
• Allie Read: Flora and Ruby's aunt. She moves to Camden Falls and adopts a baby girl during the series.