2021-2022 California Teachers’ Association, California Reads Selection
2021 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Finalist, Children’s Pre-teen Fiction
2020 National Federation of Press Women 2nd Place Award for Children’s Fiction
2020 Delaware Press Association Award for Children’s Fiction
2020 American Book Fest, Best Book Awards, Finalist, Children’s Fiction
2019 Moonbeam Children’s Fiction Silver Medal for Pre-teen Historical/Cultural Fiction
“This family can’t resist throwing themselves into the line of fire.” Although Josie and her family were not on the front lines in the war, they were on the front lines in their community soldiering through war issues, flu, death, bullies, emotions…. The positive messages of persevering through circumstances out of one’s control, being a positive influence in one’s community, family involvement and care, and an incredible amount of history woven through a clever plot line make it a story that children will treasure.
-Judge’s Comments, 2020 National Federation of Press Women Communication Contest
A cautionary tale with a pandemic premonition…[P]ublished before [COVID], Pharmacy Girl presents the heartache of loss, the heroism of many and finally, life that returns to normal.
-Eileen Sanchez, Midwest Book Review
“…[A] story so pertinent to the world we live in today it’s almost scary…. [H]eart-warming, funny, and serious all at the same time…. This is one book that perhaps everyone should read, not just the audience it was written for.”
-5 Star Review, Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers’ Favorite
Fast paced. Historically accurate. Delightful. Middle school and YA readers will enjoy following the adventures of Josie Winslow as the young “Pharmacy Girl” copes with the effects of World War I, the worldwide flu pandemic, and a bully named Billy Detwiler. The characters are well drawn, the dialogue is crisp, and readers will love the plucky heroine. A highly recommended read!
-John Micklos, Jr., Children’s Book Author
The spunky, likeable heroine, Josie, shows us her world and makes us want to root for her and her family from beginning to end. Upper elementary and middle schoolers should enjoy this book and find it hard to put down!
Jill Flynn, Professor of English
Pharmacy Girl should win an award…. Pharmacy Girl transports you to 1918 in scenes that are alternately funny, interesting, exciting, devastating, and poignant. This historical fiction is fresh, with a strong heroine who is as charming and compelling as any modern-day protagonist. It will capture your heart!
Susan Robinson, author and editor
Szegda has surrounded Josie with an appealing cast of supporting characters, creating well-drawn and realistic moments for Josie’s troublesome sister Clementine, her supportive parents, her sensible friend Grace, and even bully Billy Detwiler. A brave girl who wants to do her part, Josie is a heroine that readers will cheer on to the climactic and satisfying moment of crisis when she shows both her resilience and her character.
Loretta Carlson, freelance writer and editor
A compelling read, this novel is grounded in history and propelled by the adventures of likable -and unlikable – characters. I don’t know who enjoyed the book more, my grandchildren or me!
Linda Emerick, retired middle school ELA teacher
The book gives a glimpse into what family life was like during a time when WW1 was still raging, the influenza epidemic was spreading, and not much was known about the science regarding infectious disease. The description of the drug store brought much nostalgia to me as a similar pharmacy was where my high school friends and I would hang out by the soda fountain.
Randall Reid, retired R.N., pharmaceutical professional
Pharmacy Girl gives insight into what was going on in a New Jersey town in 1918 …. The characters’ actions mirrored the events of that time and displayed how a loving family coped in their small community. I enjoyed this first offering from Kate Szegda and hope to read more in the future.
Linda Jemmett, retired school librarian
Josie keeps trying to do the right thing. Keeps trying to be a person you can count on, the way her father, the town pharmacist, has always been. But sometimes “the right thing” isn’t so easy to figure out, and it’s even harder to do.
Carolyn Griffith, freelance writer
