About this item
Told with humor and heart, this is a middle grade story about family, friendship, and hope--plus cats in sweaters!Living in the small town of East Thumb, Maine, upstairs from her family's diner, twelve-year-old Lizzy Sherman searches for signs to guide her and perhaps guarantee her a bump-free path through life. She pays attention to the clouds in the sky, the ice cubes in her water, the heart-shaped puddle of the juice her friend spilled. If only she can figure out what the signs are trying to tell her, she'll know what to do next. When Lizzy and her best friend go searching for a stray cat and find a runaway girl instead, they want to help. And when Lizzy notices a tiny four-leaf clover tattooed on the girl's hand, she knows it's a sign. Lizzy hides the girl inside her bedroom closet, convinced the girl will be able to protect Lizzy's family from tragedy. But signs can be tricky, and what the girl has to offer may be more valuable that luck.
About the Author
Susan Lubner writes for children and is the author of three picture books and a forthcoming middle grade novel. Her work has been published in Spider Magazine and two other stories will be published in forthcoming issues of Highlights for Children. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two daughters, two cats, and a very spoiled dog who loves books so much he tries to eat them when no one's looking. Follow Susan on Facebook: The Upside of Ordinary Holiday House 2012'?¦pie-in-the-face comedy?¦believably depicted?¦Jermaine neatly captures her living-in-the-moment, no-holds-barred attitude. This debut novel offers an amusing lesson on the downside of reality television?¦' KIRKUS REVIEWSAfter her success as Pinocchio in the school play, 11-year-old Jermaine Davidson is determined to become famous in this breezy debut novel. ..Although readers will see Jermaine's troubles coming long before she does, the lessons will not be lost. Most effectively, her uncle's disappearance and the circumstances around it mirror the family's disappointment:and eventualacceptance:of Jermaine's mistakes. : Angela Leeper BOOKLIST'In an easygoing story about following one's dreams and appreciating what one has, debut novelist Lubner balances well-staged comedy with Jermaine's thoughtful musings on her family's eccentricities?¦' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY'Young readers will relate to Jermaine's authentic voice, her innocence and determination, her attempts to understand the adults in her life, her love/hate relationship with her sister, and her sharp sense of humor. ' :Melissa G. Sweet on Books /ABC7 NEW YORK'A strong character arc?¦a strong supporting cast?¦Susan Lubner has created a tremendous ensemble. ' :Michael Gettel-Gilmartin, PROJECT MIDDLE GRADE MAYHEM'?¦funny and?¦touching tale?¦' :Pamela H. Sacks, WORCESTER TELEGRAM & GAZETTEPicture Books: A Horse's Tale: A Colonial Williamsburg Adventure Abrams 2008 (Illustrated by Margie Moore) Ruthie Bon Bair: Do Not Go to Bed with Wringing Wet Hair Abrams 2006 (Illusrated by Bruce Whatley) Noises at Night Abrams 2005 (co author Beth Raisner Glass; Illustrated by Bruce Whatley)
