REVIEWS

“Tavia Gilbert's girlish tones portray the emotions of thirteen-year-olds perfectly: the fast, eager speech when talking about an enthusiasm, the hesitancy when talking to a special boy, the sad whispers when referring to a sick sibling. When Gilbert turns her vocal talents to the adults in Matilda's life, she captures their world-weariness in a raspy growl or a sigh.“—AudioFile

“[T]he value of friendship and honest emotions permeate this novel, as the characters discover who they are and how they can be there for their friends.”—KLIATT

“Crabtree’s portrayals both of the charm and power of friendship and of the internal emotional life of a young teen are deft and complex, and her confident pacing never drags.”—Kirkus Reviews

JULIE CRABTREE has published writing in the San Francisco Chronicle, Highlights for Children, MotherVerse, and GreenPrints. Passionate about yoga, cooking, and gardening, she lives in Crescent City, California, with her husband and two young daughters.

* packaged in a sturdy vinyl case.