Synopses & Reviews
This powerful middle-grade novel from the Newbery Honor author of RULES explores a friendship between a small-town girl and the daughter of migrant workers.
When Lily's blind dog, Lucky, slips his collar and runs away across the wide-open blueberry barrens of eastern Maine, it's Salma Santiago who manages to catch him. Salma, the daughter of migrant workers, is in the small town with her family for the blueberry-picking season.
After their initial chance meeting, Salma and Lily bond over painting bee boxes for Lily's grandfather, and Salma's friendship transforms Lily's summer. But when Salma decides to run in the upcoming Blueberry Queen pageant, they'll have to face some tough truths about friendship and belonging. Should an outsider like Salma really participate in the pageant-and possibly win?
Set amongst the blueberry barrens and by the sea, this is a gorgeous new novel by Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord that tackles themes of prejudice and friendship, loss and love.
Review
Praise for
A Handful of Stars :
* "Lord links images beautifully: Salma’s artistic creativity and gumption awaken Lily to the power of imagination, the importance of embracing change and knowing when to let go of the past, and the rewards of venturing beyond one’s comfort zone." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
Praise for Half a Chance :
*"[Lord] has combined vivid, cinematic description with deft characterization and handles several important issues with sensitivity, nuance, and great skill. . . . A deeply enjoyable read." -- School Library Journal, starred review
*"Lord offers a tender treatment of early adolescent needs and struggles in this thoughtful coming-of-age novel. . . . With subtle but effective imagery . . . and a relatable protagonist, the title speaks to both human loneliness generally and the plight of a young girl in need of friendship." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review
*"With winning results, Lord brings the same sensitivity to the subject of dementia that she brought to autism in her Newbery Honor book, Rules." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Awards for Rules: Newbery Honor Book, Schneider Family Book Award, ALA Notable Children's Book
Synopsis
When Lily's blind dog, Lucky, slips his collar and runs away across the wide-open blueberry barrens of eastern Maine, it's Salma Santiago who manages to catch him. Salma, the daughter of migrant workers, is in the small town with her family for the blueberry-picking season.
After their initial chance meeting, Salma and Lily bond over painting bee boxes for Lily's grandfather, and Salma's friendship transforms Lily's summer. But when Salma decides to run in the upcoming Blueberry Queen pageant, they'll have to face some tough truths about friendship and belonging. Should an outsider like Salma really participate in the pageant-and possibly win?
Set amongst the blueberry barrens and by the sea, this gorgeous novel by Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord tackles themes of prejudice and friendship, loss and love.
About the Author
Cynthia Lord is the award-winning author of RULES, a Newbery Honor Book and a Schneider Family Book Award winner, as well as the critically acclaimed HALF A CHANCE and TOUCH BLUE. She made her picture-book debut with HOT ROD HAMSTER, which won several awards, including the Parents' Choice Award, and followed it with the beloved sequel HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAMSTER. She lives in Maine with her family. Visit her at www.cynthialord.com.