Synopses & Reviews
Eleven-year-old Anna heads off to sixth grade, leaving the comfort of elementary school behind and entering the larger, more complex world of middle school. Surrounded by classmates who have their roots all in America, Anna begins to feel out of place and wonders where she belongs. When Anna takes a trip to China, she not only explores a new country and culture, but finds answers to her questions about whether she is more Chinese or more American.and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; This young illustrated chapter book is the third in the series that includes The Year of the Book and TheYear of the Baby.and#160;
Review
“In this introspective story about a childs search for a rare shell, Henkes again displays his ability to find profound meaning in ordinary events. . . . Readers will empathize with Alices frustrations and relish her moments of joy.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Review
“With tender observations and sensory details, Henkes creates a memorable young individual whose arcadian growing up is authentic and pitch-perfect.” Booklist (starred review)
Review
“Alice balances between familiarity and novelty, coziness and independence, self-centeredness and altruismthe balance beam of turning ten. . . . A fully realized, respectful portrait of a childhood milestone.” The Horn Book
Review
“Henkes knows that Alice, like many girls her age, carries plenty of things in her mindand her heartthat she seldom speaks of. She mulls them over privately, and in Henkess hands, eloquently.” New York Times
Review
“Very few writers have such a keen understanding of the emotional lives of children; here Henkes is at the top of his game.” Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Review
"This is just right for middle-grade Anna fans ready for new experiences."
and#8212;Kirkus
"Barton's winning illustrations continue to delight."
and#8212;School Library Journal
"Fans of Anna's previous adventures will definitely want to keep following her as she journeys toward young adulthood."
and#8212;Bulletin
Review
"Middle-grade readers will find many ways to connect with Anna and her friends in this warm family and school story."
and#8212;Kirkus
"This book deals deftly with a range of thorny adoption- and ethnic-stereotyping issues, such as the abandonment of female Chinese infants and the assumption that all Asians are gifted students, and it has special meaning for families touched by adoption."
and#8212;School Library Journal, starred review
"The science-fair and adoption angles make this useful in a number of settings, and readers who have followed Anna since fourth grade will hope Cheng goes on to keep tabs on her as she reaches sixth grade."
and#8212;Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Synopsis
Returning to the beach cottage—a cottage named Scallop—where she has always celebrated her birthday is a special occasion for Alice Rice.
Who will see the first dolphin this time? The first pelican? What will have changed? Stayed the same? And will this be the year she finally finds a junonia shell?
Alice's friends are all returning, too. And she's certain her parents have the best party planned for her. Alice can't wait. If Alice is lucky, everything will be absolutely perfect. Will Alice be lucky?
Synopsis
The thirdand#160;chapter book sequel to The Year of the Bookand#160;and The Year of the Baby, eleven-year-old Anna takes a trip to China and learns more about herself and her Chinese heritage.
Synopsis
In the fully-illustrated sequel to The Year of the Book, Anna's familyand#160;adopts aand#160;baby from China. When her new sisterand#160;fails to thrive,and#160;Anna and herand#160;best friends Laura and Camille create aand#160;science project that may save the day.
Synopsis
Last year, Anna learned how to be a good friend. Now that her family has adopted a baby girl from China, she wants to learn how to be a good sister. But the new year proves challenging when the doctor warns that the baby isnand#8217;t thriving. Can Anna and her best friends, Laura and Camille, create a science project that saves the day? In this heartwarming sequel to Theand#160;Year of the Book, readers will be just as moved by Anna's devotion to her new sister as they will be inspired by her loving family and lasting friendships.
About the Author
Kevin Henkes is the author and illustrator of close to fifty critically acclaimed and award-winning picture books, beginning readers, and novels. He received the Caldecott Medal for
Kitten's First Full Moon in 2005. Kevin Henkes is also the creator of a number of picture books featuring his mouse characters, including the #1
New York Times bestsellers
Lilly's Big Day and
Wemberly Worried, the Caldecott Honor Book
Owen, and the beloved
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. His most recent mouse character, Penny, was introduced in
Penny and Her Song (2012); her story continued in
Penny and Her Doll and
Penny and Her Marble (a Geisel Honor Book). Bruce Handy, in a
New York Times Book Review piece about
A Good Day, wrote, "It should be said: Kevin Henkes is a genius." Kevin Henkes received two Newbery Honors for novels—one for his newest novel for young readers,
The Year of Billy Miller, and the other for
Olive's Ocean. Also among his fiction for older readers are the novels
Junonia,
Bird Lake Moon,
The Birthday Room, and
Sun & Spoon. He lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin.
Kevin Henkes is the author and illustrator of close to fifty critically acclaimed and award-winning picture books, beginning readers, and novels. He received the Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon in 2005. Kevin Henkes is also the creator of a number of picture books featuring his mouse characters, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers Lilly's Big Day and Wemberly Worried, the Caldecott Honor Book Owen, and the beloved Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. His most recent mouse character, Penny, was introduced in Penny and Her Song (2012); her story continued in Penny and Her Doll and Penny and Her Marble (a Geisel Honor Book). Bruce Handy, in a New York Times Book Review piece about A Good Day, wrote, "It should be said: Kevin Henkes is a genius." Kevin Henkes received two Newbery Honors for novels—one for his newest novel for young readers, The Year of Billy Miller, and the other for Olive's Ocean. Also among his fiction for older readers are the novels Junonia, Bird Lake Moon, The Birthday Room, and Sun & Spoon. He lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin.