Three Good Things

by Lois Peterson

Overview

Leni has lived in so many different places in the last few years that she’s not surprised when her mom wakes her in the middle of the night and tells her to pack up her things.

The reason for this move? Her mom tells her they have won the lottery, and they have to go underground. Leni is still not surprised when they end up in a filthy motel. But when Leni makes a new friend and tries to explain their lifestyle, she begins to understand just how messed up her life has become.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459809888
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	11/03/2015
Series:	Orca Currents Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	144
Lexile:	HL480L (what's this?)
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Lois Peterson’s books for children and youth have been published in various languages and nominated for awards in British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Texas. A keen storyteller and writing instructor, Lois works for a large public library in bc, volunteers in the community, hikes, listens to music and spends the rest of her time reading almost anything she can get her hands on.

Lois Peterson is the award-winning author of eight books of fiction for children, and numerous short stories, essays and articles for adults. She was the executive director of a homeless shelter and worked at a public library for more than 40 years. Lois lives in Nanaimo, British Columbia.

Editorial Reviews

"Leni is a strong character living a very difficult life...Jake and his family finally provide a touchstone for her, and her mother’s critical illness provides her with a reason to call her grandfather. Readers will learn that there is definitely a time and place to ask for help!"

Resource Links

"Topics such as homelessness and mental illness are presented in a way that the reader can easily relate to. This would be a good book to enhance a hi-lo collection. Recommended."

School Library Connection

"Like many fiction titles focussing on mental health issues, Three Good Things plays a role in breaking down barriers and starting up conversations around the topic...The story is to be commended for providing a safe place for readers to explore the issue of mental health and build empathy towards others whose full story we often do not know."

CM Magazine

2015-08-26
A girl struggles to care for her mentally ill mother as they wander from town to town. Leni's mother clearly cannot cope with life, but although Leni's grandfather gives them enough money to get by, he won't take them in. They move whenever her mother gets the whim to go, a frequent occurrence. Leni hasn't been to school for years, but she tries to learn on her own by going to libraries. After yet another move they land in a cheap hotel, where her mother spends her time sleeping and watching TV, relying on a hidden lottery ticket to put them on easy street. Leni meets Jake, a boy her own age, in the library. He invites her home to dinner, showing her his menagerie of animals. Finally her mother begins wandering outside at night, forcing Leni to call on Jake to help control her. As her mother's behavior becomes ever more bizarre, Leni concedes that she needs long-term help after all. But can she even get in touch with her grandfather? Finally, fate intervenes. Peterson keeps this novella punchy and lean, catering to readers who need compelling, plot-driven stories. She portrays Leni as tough and savvy but still young and vulnerable, an appealing characterization. An effective, quick, and involving story. (Fiction. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews