From the Publisher
[pull for catalog]
Praise for 11 Birthdays
* “A fresh twist on the familiar themes of middle-grade family and school dynamics.” –Booklist, starred review
* “Girls will relate to Amanda's insecurities, and the confidence and insights she gains will resonate.” –Publishers Weekly, starred review
Praise for Finally
“Finally is a treat–a delicious story about fitting in, falling down, and growing up. Wendy Mass has done it again!”–Rebecca Stead, Newbery award winner of When You Reach Me
“Finally will have readers laughing, nodding in agreement, and sighing in sympathy as they follow Rory's tale of reaching 12.”–Teensreadtoo.com
School Library Journal
Gr 6–8—After a failed attempt at stealing a goat from her principal's office, Tara's punishment to spend her summer with relatives in the small town of Willow Falls. As she soon discovers, its inhabitants are anything but ordinary. Tara's younger cousin, Emily, stays up late to solve math theorems; David, who lives across the street, sings and chants in a hole in the backyard in preparation for his bar mitzvah; and best friends Amanda and Leo wear chalkboards to communicate with one another. These quirky kids and others help Tara as she seeks to collect 13 curious objects required by a mysterious woman in exchange for something essential not only to her, but also to the town. In her quest, she and her new friends dress up in Sunshine Kid uniforms, sneak into the historical society, and meet a celebrity heartthrob. Finally, on her 13th birthday, Tara comes to the realization that life is better spent in the game than on the sidelines. By fusing middle-school drama with just a sprinkle of magic and mystery, Mass provides an optimistic and genuine addition to the coming-of-age genre. Many readers will relate to Tara, a seventh-grade wallflower who gains self-confidence, friendship, and a true place in Willow Falls. Her narration has an authentic voice, allowing readers to experience her thoughts, motives, and feelings. Mass keeps the plot jumping like a fireworks display; there's one surprise spark after another, all coming together at the end for a breathtaking finale.—Mary-Brook J. Townsend, The McGillis School, Salt Lake City, UT
School Library Journal - Audio
Gr 6–8—Tara is a misfit in her middle school. In an effort to be accepted, she tries to steal the school's mascot, a goat, which results in her suspension and her parents sending her to their hometown to spend the summer with relatives while they are off doing research on the courtship rituals of the Bamboo Lemur in Madagascar. Tara barely knows these relatives, and she faces the same problem in Willow Falls that she did back home—not fitting in. After a visit to the local second-hand shop, Tara takes on a quest to find 13 objects around town, although she's not sure why the woman wants them. The quest, though, brings Tara together with her cousin Emily's friends and she's not an outsider any longer. But what do these objects represent? The mystery behind all of this is revealed bit by bit throughout the book as Tara begins to feel like Willow Falls is where she belongs. Kathleen McInerney's reading of Wendy Mass's novel (Scholastic, 2011) is pitch perfect and delivered in a straightforward manner, helping to make this somewhat unlikely story believable. A perfect choice for middle school girls.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
