Synopses & Reviews
When Claire's best friend moves away just before the start of fifth grade, she suddenly becomes the only girl in the entire elementary school. While the boys are resentful that she gets a bathroom all to herself, Claire soon sees the lonelier side of things -- until a few incidents put her quite literally in the spotlight.
Review
Praise for The Secret Tree:"A captivating story about the mysteries of summertime and friendship." -- Rebecca Stead, author of When You Reach Me
* "The intimate neighborhood setting -- with its mysteries, superstitions, and traditions -- the authenticity of Minty's voice, and her worries about the transitioning nature of her life and friendships give Standiford's story a richness that will stay with readers." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Captivating . . . takes its rightful place in the now classic genre of 'neighborhood kids' that began with Beverly Cleary." -- The New York Times Book Review
"A charming and mysterious story of friendship, growing up, and keeping secrets." -- Booklist
A New York Times Notable Book
A Junior Library Guild Selection
Praise for How to Say Goodbye in Robot:
* "Bea's original first-person voice will draw readers in, and the unexpected plot will keep them engaged. A decidedly purposeful not-love story, this has all the makings of a cult hit with a flavor similar to Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "An honest and complex depiction of a meaningful platonic friendship and doesn't gloss over troubling issues. . . . Teens will identify with the intense emotions of Beatrice and Jonas, the reasons they are drawn to each other, and the ups and downs of their relationship. . . . Outstanding" -- School Library Journal, starred review
Synopsis
When Claire's best friend, Bess, moves away, she becomes the only girl left in her entire school. At first, she thinks she'll be able to deal with this -- after all, the girls' bathroom is now completely hers, so she can turn it into her own private headquarters and draw on the walls. When it comes to soccer games or sailing races, she can face off against any boy.
The problem is that her other best friend, Henry, has begun to ignore her. And Webby, a super-annoying bully, won't leave her alone. And Yucky Gilbert, the boy who has a crush on her, also won't leave her alone.
It's never easy being the only one -- and over the course of a wacky school year, Claire is going to have to make it through challenges big and small. The boys may think they rule the school, but when it comes to thinking on your feet, Claire's got them outnumbered.
About the Author
Natalie Standiford is the author of How to Say Good-Bye in Robot, Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters, The Secret Tree, The Boy on the Bridge, and Switched at Birthday. She is originally from Maryland, but now lives in New York City and plays in the all-YA-author band Tiger Beat.