Synopses & Reviews
Taylor has always thought of herself as an artist, never lacking ideas or creative energy. But when her beloved Grams, who has raised her from infancy, suffers a stroke, Taylors world is shaken. People she thought she knew suddenly assume confusing new identities. Worst of all, her artistic ability deserts herand if she isnt an artist, who is she? Since she cant create images on paper or canvas, there seems to be no reason not to paint her own face and body, no reason not to stop talking for a week, or throw the telephone out the window, or make a boutonniere of raw frogs legs for her prom date. . . . Slowly, Taylor finds her way through the aching grief of Gramss absence and the shifting layers of her emotional reality to a clearer perception of herself, her surroundings, and her connections with others. Poignant, edgy, and irreverent, her voice will resonate with anyone who has had difficulty crossing shaky ground.
Review
"offers a vivid portrayl of the emotional confusion and volatility experienced by a young woman in a season of change." BOOKLIST
Review
"writing is quite pleasantly inventive...metaphors and surprising phrases...realistic portrayal of an individual's struggle to come to terms with herself." KIRKUS REVIEWS
Review
"offers a vivid portrayl of the emotional confusion and volatility experienced by a young woman in a season of change." BOOKLIST
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"the extremes of melodrama in this tale of grief and renewal will speak volumes to the book's target audience." THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS
Review
"nearly everyone will empathize with Taylor's grief and rage...balanced, carefully observed story about cycles of growth and regeneration." PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Review
"sensitive, well-crafted coming-of-age novel...constantly expressing her reactions with figurative comparisons, Taylor communicates her creative bent...girls with similar sensitivites...will relate" VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES (VOYA)
Review
"offers a vivid portrayl of the emotional confusion and volatility experienced by a young woman in a season of change." BOOKLIST Booklist, ALA
"writing is quite pleasantly inventive...metaphors and surprising phrases...realistic portrayal of an individual's struggle to come to terms with herself." KIRKUS REVIEWS Kirkus Reviews
"sensitive, well-crafted coming-of-age novel...constantly expressing her reactions with figurative comparisons, Taylor communicates her creative bent...girls with similar sensitivites...will relate" VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES (VOYA) VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)
"the extremes of melodrama in this tale of grief and renewal will speak volumes to the book's target audience." THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"nearly everyone will empathize with Taylor's grief and rage...balanced, carefully observed story about cycles of growth and regeneration." PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
When Taylor discovers that her Grams is terminally ill and will never be the same, she's devastated. Grams is the only mother Taylor's ever known, and the one who encouraged her to explore her artistic side. Now Grams is in a nursing home, and with Taylor's father absent most of the time, Taylor has to learn to survive on her own. Without Grams there for support, she decides to go to the junior prom with "ape-man Mike, " a guy she truly dislikes, and then becomes more and more attracted to him over the course of the summer. But when an old childhood friend, Bears, resurfaces, Taylor begins to answer some important questions about herself and to find the healing that she seeks.
Here is a poignant debut novel by talented writer C. Drew Lamm.
Synopsis
A girl comes to terms with the death of her beloved grandmother and rediscovers her artistic creativity.
About the Author
Drew Lamm's published work includes picture books and short stories. Bittersweet is her first novel and her first book for Clarion. She lives in Rowayton, Connecticut.