Synopses & Reviews
“[A] sweet-as-a-cookie Dairy Queen companion for slightly younger readers.”—Kirkus Reviews
Fourteen-year-old Sarah Zorn intends to spend the summer with her “boyfriend” Curtis, waiting for a dead calf to decompose in time for the science fair. Her plans are upended when her fake-boyfriend strategy goes awry just as her hippie Grandma Z invites her on a last-minute Roman holiday. As Sarah explores Italy’s ancient wonders, she can’t stop “boy-liking” Curtis . . . or puzzling over her grandmother’s odd behavior. Sarah must learn to navigate the murky waters of first love, friendship, and family with heart and good humor.
Review
“Fourteen-year-old Sarah discovers first love and family secrets in this sweet-as-a-cookie Dairy Queen companion for slightly younger readers.”—Kirkus Reviews
“A sweet story about family and love, which should appeal to tween readers of Wendy Mass.”—Booklist
"[A] funny and sweet coming-of-age story from the author of Dairy Queen. . . [Sarah’s] narrative voice, a winning blend of humor, enthusiasm, and insecurity, will resonate strongly with tween girls, and the journal format will also appeal.”—School Library Journal
“Sarah’s voice is tart and inquisitive, and her observations make the pilgrimage come alive.”—The Horn Book Magazine
“Sarah tells her story in the form of journal entries, and her voice is authentically tween as she tries to sort through the complicated turns her life is taking. . . . Give this to fans of Frances O'Roark Dowell and the younger siblings of those who enjoyed the Dairy Queen trilogy.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Synopsis
Welcome back to Willow Falls, where anything is possible and nothing is as it seems It doesn't take long for Tara Brennan to realize that breaking into school to steal a goat is not a good idea. As punishment for her crimes, Tara's parents send her to the sleepy town of Willow Falls to stay with relatives she hardly knows, including her strange younger cousin Emily. Tara quickly learns that Emily isn't even remotely the strangest person in town. There's a boy who sings at the bottom of an empty pool, two best friends who use blackboards to communicate, and a girl who may or may not be dating the world's hottest teen movie star.
Due to another lapse in judgment, Tara finds herself beholden to perhaps the strangest person of all: Angelina D'Angelo. If Tara can't collect thirteen mysterious objects for the old woman in time for her thirteenth birthday, the consequences will be REALLY BAD. With a big dose of birthday magic, Tara's adventures take her and her new friends to places they never thought they'd find, some in the real world, and a lot deep inside themselves.
Synopsis
Family secrets, first love, and the magic of Rome take center stage in Catherine Gilbert Murdocks newest novel for middle grade readers.
About the Author
Wendy Mass is the author of the award-winning books for readers A MANGO-SHAPED SPACE, LEAP DAY, JEREMY FINK AND THE MEANING OF LIFE, HEAVEN LOOKS A LOT LIKE THE MALL, EVERY SOUL A STAR, THE CANDYMAKERS, 11 BIRTHDAYS, FINALLY, and the Twice Upon a Time series. She tells people her hobbies are photography and hiking, but they're really collecting candy bar wrappers and searching for buried treasure with her metal detector. Wendy lives with her family in New Jersey. Visit her at www.wendymass.com.