Synopses & Reviews
"Pure whimsical delight. Magic *does* blow throughout the world, and ZIP proves it!"--
New York Times bestelling author Lauren Myracle
When Lyssa’s mother died, so did the magic—that special something that always made the sunflowers grow taller and the strawberry jelly taste sweeter. Now that her mother is gone, Lyssa struggles to get used to a life of the Ordinary with her kind but clueless stepfather in Kirkland, Washington. But secretly, she longs for change.
Then one day change does come, when the most peculiar occurrence brings Lyssa alarming news about her childhood home. With no time to lose, she sets off on a two-wheeled cross-country journey to get back to Texas. But can she get there before the clock runs out?
On her odyssey Lyssa meets some decidedly unusual people, from rowdy cowgirls to a chorus line of singing mermaids. With new friends by her side and the winds of change at her back, Lyssa discovers adventure at every turn--and uncovers her mother’s magic, little by little, all along the way.
Review
"Van Cleve+s debut is emotionally subtle and action packed with a highly memorable setting." -
Publishers Weekly, starred review
Review
“Zip, zap, and zoom with Lyssa as she races against the clock!” -GirlsLife.com
“A clever novel with a bright and spunky heroine. Readers will root for her and empathize with her search to find her place in the world.” -School Library Journal
“Slapstick humor and a sense of magic help maintain this affecting storys levity as Lyssa learns to overcome her fears and accept change.” -Publisher's Weekly
“Totally enchanting! I loved this book every step of the way! Lyssas journey is a once-in-a-lifetime odyssey, where seeds sprout in front of your eyes and the winds of change blow you to runaway rockstars and glass-skinned monsters alike.” -Shelby Bach, author of Of Giants and Ice
Review
“Zip, zap, and zoom with Lyssa as she races against the clock!” -GirlsLife.com
“A clever novel with a bright and spunky heroine. Readers will root for her and empathize with her search to find her place in the world.” -School Library Journal
“Slapstick humor and a sense of magic help maintain this affecting storys levity as Lyssa learns to overcome her fears and accept change.” -Publisher's Weekly
“Totally enchanting! I loved this book every step of the way! Lyssas journey is a once-in-a-lifetime odyssey, where seeds sprout in front of your eyes and the winds of change blow you to runaway rockstars and glass-skinned monsters alike.” -Shelby Bach, author of Of Giants and Ice
Synopsis
Eleven-year-old Polly Peabody needs to make it start raining again. It rains every Monday afternoon on her family's rhubarb farm, until one Monday, when 1:00 P.M. passes without one raindrop. And then Polly's brother gets sick. Polly has to figure out how everything is connected and make it rain before her Aunt Edith sells the farm. Maybe with the help of her best friend, a talking rhubarb plant named Harry, Polly can face her fears and uncover her family's magical secret.
Synopsis
It's the summer before seventh grade, and twelve-year- old Raine O'Rourke's mother suddenly takes a job hours from home at mysterious Sparrow Road- a creepy, dilapidated mansion that houses an eccentric group of artists. As Raine tries to make sense of her new surroundings, she forges friendships with a cast of quirky characters including the outrageous and funky Josie.
Together, Raine and Josie decide to solve the mysteries of Sparrow Road-from its haunting history as an orphanage to the secrets of its silent, brooding owner, Viktor. But it's an unexpected secret from Raine's own life that changes her forever.
An affecting and beautifully written story of family and forgiveness, Sparrow Road is an incredible gift.
Synopsis
Eleven-year-old Polly Peabody knows her family?s world-famous rhubarb farm is magical. The plants taste like chocolate, jewels appear in the soil, bugs talk to her, and her best friend is a rhubarb plant named Harry. But the most magical thing is that every single Monday, at exactly 1:00, it rains. Until the Monday when the rain just stops. Now it?s up to Polly to figure out why?and whether her brother?s mysterious illness and her glamorous aunt Edith?s sudden desire to sell the farm have anything to do with it. Most of all, Polly has to make it start raining again before it?s too late. Her brother?s life, the plants? survival, and her family?s future all depend on it.
Kathleen Van Cleve has woven an unforgettable comingof- age tale with all the heart and wonder of a Roald Dahl novel.
Synopsis
A girl discovers adventure at every highway turn in this effervescent debut that's
Savvy meets
Little Miss SunshineAfter Lyssa's mother dies, her kind but clueless new stepfather moves with her to the suburbs of Seattle in the hopes of making a fresh start. But Lyssa feels lost and adrift in the rainy Northwest without her mom. And when she finds out that her old house in Texas is about to be bulldozed, something snaps inside her. Fiercely determined, Lyssa climbs onto her scooter and sets off cross-country to save her home.
Beautifully written and sparkling with magic, Zip is a modern-day successor to Alice in Wonderland. It's a joyful Odyssey-esque journey that's perfect for the readers of Savvy.
Synopsis
"Pure whimsical delight. Magic *does* blow throughout the world, and ZIP proves it!"--
New York Times bestelling author Lauren Myracle
one girl + one scooter = journey of a lifetime
When Lyssas mother died, so did the magicthat special something that always made the sunflowers grow taller and the strawberry jelly taste sweeter. So when Lyssa receives the alarming news that her childhood home in Texas is about to be bulldozed, she sets off on a two-wheeled cross country journey to save her family homeand with it, the last remaining sparkle of her earlier life. On her odyssey, Lyssa meets some decidedly unusual peoplefrom rowdy cowgirls to a chorus line of singing mermaidsand discovers adventure at every highway turn. But its the magic that she uncovers, little by little, along the way that will ultimately put a new zip in her step!
Synopsis
"Pure whimsical delight. Magic *does* blow throughout the world, and ZIP proves it!"--
New York Times bestelling author Lauren Myracle
one girl + one scooter = journey of a lifetime
When Lyssas mother died, so did the magicthat special something that always made the sunflowers grow taller and the strawberry jelly taste sweeter. So when Lyssa receives the alarming news that her childhood home in Texas is about to be bulldozed, she sets off on a two-wheeled cross country journey to save her family homeand with it, the last remaining sparkle of her earlier life. On her odyssey, Lyssa meets some decidedly unusual peoplefrom rowdy cowgirls to a chorus line of singing mermaidsand discovers adventure at every highway turn. But its the magic that she uncovers, little by little, along the way that will ultimately put a new zip in her step!
About the Author
Ellie Rollins spent her childhood zipping across the Midwest. Since then, she's chased many of her own adventures in places like Seattle, Paris, and New York. She got her BA from the University of Washington in 2008 and now works in publishing in New York. Zip is her first novel.