After her mother leaves home suddenly, thirteen-year-old Sal and her grandparents take a car trip retracing her mother’s route. Along the way, Sal recounts the story of her friend Phoebe, whose mother also left.

Liz says:

“This is a must read for 5th and 6th grade girls. As Sal travels cross country to find her mom, she discovers the truth about why her mom left. Readers will find themselves crying on one page and laughing on the next. Creech is at her best in this Newbery Award winning book.”

Twelve-year-old Annie ponders the many rhythms of life the year that her mother becomes pregnant, her grandfather begins faltering, and her best friend (and running partner) becomes distant.

Liz says:

“This is an extremely well crafted story told in free verse. The story and poems beat together to create a life of its own; it is at once realistic and symbolic.”

With the help of her wise old grandmother, twelve-year-old Rosie manages to work out some problems in her relationship with her best friend, Bailey, the boy next door.

Liz says:

“Sharon Creech is always wonderful. Girls will love this!”