A poignant--and funny--story of a girl trying to be brave and find her place in the world after she's sent to live with scheming relatives, perfect for fans of One for the Murphys.Right before Wavie's mother died, she gave Wavie a list of instructions to help her find her way in life, including this one:
Be brave, Wavie B! You got as much right to a good life as anybody, so find it! But little did Wavie's mom know that events would conspire to bring Wavie back to Conley Hollow, the Appalachian hometown her mother tried to leave behind. Now Wavie's back in the Holler--and in the clutches of a dastardly aunt.
Living with uncaring relatives is no picnic, but Wavie finds real joy in the beauty of the mountains and sleeping in her mother's childhood bed. She takes her mother's advice to heart, making friends with Camille and Gilbert--funny, kindhearted kids her aunt calls "neighborhood no accounts." And when Wavie learns a shocking family secret, it is their support that just might allow her to be brave enough to find--and grab--a piece of that good life.
On sale: May 7, 2019
Age: 10 and up
Grade: Grade 5 & Up
Page count: 240 Pages
ISBN: 9780399546327
Reading level: Lexile: 660L | Fountas/Pinnell: W
Lisa Lewis Tyre also wrote
Last in a Long Line of Rebels. Although she grew up in the tiniest of towns in Tennessee, Lisa now lives in Georgia with her husband, daughter, and a part-time pet raccoon named Rocket.
* “This is a masterpiece of middle grade fiction, at once summoning the timelessness of life in rural America while blending in modern elements. . . . Wavie’s sincere narration and upbeat optimism carry her through the dark mysteries surrounding Conley Holler, and her close friendships with Gilbert and Camille are reminiscent of the young leads in J.K. Rowling’s wizarding novels. Meanwhile, Samantha Rose is a devious villain worthy of a Roald Dahl novel. . . . With well-written prose, a masterfully realized world, and characters that linger long after the novel closes, this is a must-purchase.”
—School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW* “Wavie has a delightfully memorable first-person voice that includes pithy observations. . . . She’s so engaged with the people around her that her perceptions breathe full life into a range of characters. . . . A moving and richly engaging tale of despair and redemption.”
—Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
“Anyone who’s spent time in the holler will recognize Conley Hollow, from its ramshackle double-wides to the old graveyard to the creek, all depicted with tenderness. . . . There’s much to savor: family secrets, budding friendships, and the never-extinguishing love of a mother for her daughter. A touching sophomore effort in which everyone is kin of one sort or another.”
—Booklist
