My Life in Dioramas

Twelve-year-old Kate Marino thinks she is a real mastermind. At least when it comes to hatching a plan to dissuade potential buyers from purchasing Big Red, the old farmhouse that has been the only home Kate has ever known, and which her parents are selling in order to downsize.

Kate has not even moved yet, and already everything seems to be changing in unwelcome ways. Suddenly every moment and memory seems fleeting, even if it has been something that Kate has taken to be a forever truth. Making dioramas of the people she loves in the places that she holds dear gives Kate a sense of calm. But it may take several bags of stink, the help of her best friends, and a few fake dogs in order for her to be able to keep her life the way that she knows and loves it.

With sincerity and humor, author Tara Altebrando (The Battle of Darcy Lane) thoughtfully explores the painand#151;and promiseand#151;of letting go. Artist T.L. Bonaddioand#8217;s warm interior illustrations accentuate the tangible shoebox moments that make an impression for a lifetime.

[Excerpt:]

and#147;Maybe I could move some furniture, barricade myself in. My parents would have to update whatever listing theyand#8217;d written to say the house came with a number of unique features, including its very own twelve-year-old girl.and#8221;

"Humor will reel readers in, but heart will keep them riveted."

and#151;Gordon Korman, New York Times bestselling author of the Swindle series

"Charming, touching, and laugh-out-loud funny."

and#151;Sarah Mlynowski, New York Times bestselling author of the Whatever After series

and#147;Altebrando aptly captures the essence of being twelve years old: fraught friendships, confusing feelings, and glimmers of so much more on the horizon. Kateand#8217;s voice is honest and authenticand#133; A thoughtful middle grade novel that will have broad appeal.and#8221;

and#151;School Library Journal

Kate Marino knows very well that home is where her heart is, and if she had any say in the matter, her heart would stay put in Big Red. The old, rambling farmhouse has withstood the test of time with her family, but now Kateand#8217;s parents have decided to sell it from under her feet.

The preventative solution: sabotage the realtor's tours with the help of best friends and a plan that has maximum stinkage potential.

The back-up plan: hang on to at least a little bit of life at Big Red by creating shoebox dioramas of each room.

But even with a full-scale assault, will her mission be a success? And if not, what will the diorama of Kateand#8217;s future look like?

With a keen eye for capturing the moments that matter, acclaimed author Tara Altebrando explores the painand#151;and promiseand#151;of letting go.

Tara Altebrando is the author of several novels, including The Battle of Darcy Lane, The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life and Dreamland Social Club (a Kirkus Reviews Best Book for Teens of 2011). She is also the co-author of Roomies with Sara Zarr. Tara is a Harvard grad living in Astoria, New York, with her husband and two daughters.