About this item
Based on a true story. Maddie is a normal twelve-year-old girl. Well, except for the fake mustaches she carries in her pocket. She likes to make people laugh and slapping on a mustache, especially a fuzzy pink or neon green one, always gets a smile. Maddie hopes that the class queen, Cassie, will find her mustaches as funny as she does and want to play with her at recess. She's been self-conscious lately because her right arm only feels normal when it's curled against her chest and she's constantly tripping over her feet. But that's probably just part of growing up and not something weird, right? When Maddie's arm continues to bother her, her parents take her to a doctor who gives them a shocking diagnosis: the cause of the abnormal behavior of her limbs is a brain tumor and she must have surgery to remove it. She's understandably afraid as he describes the procedure, but knows she must find a way to be brave and must face her fears--all of them--at the hospital, at home and at school. She will need all of her courage not only to face her illness, but also to face Cassie at school. Both Cassie and Maddie are auditioning for the same role in the school play, but when Cassie accuses Maddie of lying about her tumor in order to get attention, Cassie's bossiness turns into bullying. And as Maddie's surgery approaches, she begins to worry more and more about the outcome. What if something goes wrong? What if the doctors don't get all the tumor out of her brain? What will happen to her family? What will happen to her? It will take all of Maddie's vibrant imagination, a lot of kindness-both given and received-and of course, the perfect mustache to overcome the tough stuff ahead of her.
About the Author
Chad Morris is the coauthor of Willa and the Whale, Mustaches for Maddie, and Squint. He is also the author of the futuristic Cragbridge Hall trilogy. He has won the Nebraska Book Award, The Utah Book Award, The Buckeye Children's Book Award, and Foreword review's Book of the Year Gold Winner. He has also appeared on CNN and the Hallmark Channel. He is married to his coauthor, Shelly Brown, lives in Utah, and has five children. Praise for Willa and the Whale: "Moving and buoyant, an insightful tale of grief, loss, and resilience." -Kirkus ReviewsPraise for Squint: "Willa's character offers emotional insight into the layers of grief experienced by someone who loses a parent, and builds empathy in young readers. This must-purchase may challenge readers to keep a dry eye." -School Library Journal (starred review) Praise for Squint: ''Tale of loss and redemption...Likely to find an appreciative audience among young teens.'' ---Kirkus''Pulls off the seemingly impossible; it is an empathy-building novel with a message that's fun to read. Flint is a sharply observant narrator. He is self-deprecatingly humorous rather than self-pitying, and he easily embodies the secret freakishness that many teens feel. Despite the book's dual medical issues, this is not a 'sick kid' book...it sends a strong message about making the most of what you have. The writing is perfectly tuned, trusting its audience enough not to hammer at its main themes. With its sophisticated themes and thoroughly likable main character, Squint takes on a lot and delivers beyond expectations.'' ---Foreword Reviews''Flint and McKell are sympathetic protagonists with relatable concerns and issues. The challenges of middle school are leavened with humor through the 'Middle School Rules' sprinkled throughout the story. A moving story about friendship, loss, and seeing life from other people's point of view. Recommended.'' ---School Library JournalMustaches for Maddie is based on the story of their daughter who faced a brain tumor with humor and optimism. Praise for Mustaches for Maddie: "A moving novel about a truly brave girl. Maddie is a wonderfully thoughtful, creative, and funny protagonist, with whom readers will identify as she grapples with her social and physical challenges. This poignant and uplifting novel is a good read-alike for fans of R.J.Palacio's Wonder." --School Library Journal"Maddie's offbeat sense of humor is the heart of this story from spouses Morris nd Brown, which was inspired by their own daughter. Maddie learns to stand up for herself and face her fears head-on in this moving story of courage and heart. Morris and Brown balance the gravity of Maddie's illness with her buoyant imagination as she navigates the reality of the surgery she needs and the politic's of sixth grade." --Publishers Weekly"The perfect balance of hum
