At fifteen, Tamara has survived the foster-care system through brains, will and attitude. Now there's high school to get through, along with her teacher's latest community project -- volunteering at the local seniors' home. Tamara doubts she can endure either the residents or the smells.
Then she's assigned to Jean Barclay, a cranky, wealthy and frail former schoolteacher. As the two size one another up, they realize each is the key to achieving their own very different goals. Miss Barclay wants to attend an opera in Seattle -- a trip doctors insist she's too weak to undertake. Tamara wants to enroll in modeling school in Vancouver -- an expense she can't begin to afford. They plan the road trip of a lifetime -- but can these two bossy, manipulative women keep from throttling each other before their goals are realized?
At fifteen, Tamara has survived the foster-care system through brains, will and attitude. Now there's high school to get through, along with her teacher's latest community project -- volunteering at the local seniors' home. Tamara doubts she can endure either the residents or the smells.
Then she's assigned to Jean Barclay, a cranky, wealthy and frail former schoolteacher. As the two size one another up, they realize each is the key to achieving their own very different goals. Miss Barclay wants to attend an opera in Seattle -- a trip doctors insist she's too weak to undertake. Tamara wants to enroll in modeling school in Vancouver -- an expense she can't begin to afford. They plan the road trip of a lifetime -- but can these two bossy, manipulative women keep from throttling each other before their goals are realized?
| Published By | Groundwood Books Ltd — Jul 31, 2006 |
| Specifications | 192 pages | 5.06 in x 7 in |
| Keywords | Girls & Women; Social Situations; Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance; Social Situations; Friendship; |
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Supporting Resources
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Excerpt |
| Written By | Glen Huser’s award-winning novels include Stitches (winner of the Governor General’s Award), Skinnybones and the Wrinkle Queen (nominated for the Governor General’s Award, the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award and the Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize) and Touch of the Clown (shortlisted for the Mr. Christie’s Book Award). Visit Glen Huser's website: http://glenhuser.com/ |
| Written By |
| Glen Huser’s award-winning novels include Stitches (winner of the Governor General’s Award), Skinnybones and the Wrinkle Queen (nominated for the Governor General’s Award, the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award and the Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize) and Touch of the Clown (shortlisted for the Mr. Christie’s Book Award). Visit Glen Huser's website: http://glenhuser.com/ |
| Audience | ages 12 to 15 / grades 7 to 10 |
| Reading Levels | Lexile 730L |
Short-listed, Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award, 2007
Short-listed, Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize, 2007
Short-listed, Manitoba Young Reader's Choice Award, 2008
Long-listed, Chocolate Lily Award, 2008
Short-listed, Governor General's Literary Awards: Text, 2006
Long-listed, OLA Red Maple Award, 2008
Commended, CCBC Our Choice (Starred Selection), 2007
Commended, Maine State Library Cream of the Crop List, 2007
“...[Huser]'s portrait of two outsiders is an affecting and involving one...The road trip is entertaining, and revelatory, and Huser realistically gives his heroines only some of what they wish for.” —Horn Book
“Both characters emerge as strongly sympathetic rebels; readers will applaud their outlaw partnership and be glad that Tamara, at least, receives forgiveness and a fresh start.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“This is a super cross-generations book!...This is a well-done story with strong characters who will appeal to middle school readers.” —Library Media Connection