Blooming at the Texas Sunrise Motel - Softcover

Holt, Kimberly Willis

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1250144043 ISBN 13: 9781250144041

Publisher: Square Fish, 2018

Synopsis

Twelve-year-old Stevie's world changes drastically when her parents are tragically killed and she is forced to live with her estranged grandfather at his run-down motel. After failed attempts to connect with her grandfather, Stevie befriends the colourful motel tenants and neighbors. Together, they decide to bring some colour and life to the motel by planting a flower garden. It will take Stevie's departure before her grandfather realizes just how needed she is by everyone. This new novel from National Book Award-winning author Kimberly Willis Holt explores themes of loss, family, and love, and gets at the heart of what it means to find a place to call home.

About this title

Review:

"Endearing and imperfect, Stevie establishes immediate rapport with readers." --Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Dear Hank Williams

"The strength of this novel lies in the insight Tate develops as she deals with tragedy and depends on the love of family. VERDICT Artfully told, this middle grade novel pleases on many levels." --Maria LaRocco, Cuyahoga Public Library, Strongsville, OH, School Library Journal, starred review

"With tidbits of history woven throughout and the rich cast of characters, especially an endearing protagonist, Dear Hank Williams is a novel that sings from the heart." --VOYA, starred review

"Soulful and satisfying." --Kirkus Reviews

"A heartbreaking revelation at the book's end secures Tate's place as a lovable protagonist, while opening the door to a hopeful future." --Booklist

"While readers will find plenty to love and to revisit if encountering this novel on their own, the snappy pace, engaging tone, and epistolary format make this an engaging classroom readaloud, with the skillful exposition and the incorporation of historical details providing discussion fodder and potential curricular connection." --The Bulletin

Praise for When Zachary Beaver Came to Town

Winner of the 1999 National Book Award for Young People's Literature

"This book packs more emotional power than 90% of the so-called grown-up novels taking up precious space on bookshelves around the country."--USA Today

"Holt may not take her readers on wild flights of fantasy, but her quiet novel offers a slice of life that's hard to resist."--The New York Times Book Review

"In her own down-to-earth, people, smart way, Holt offers a gift. . . . It is a lovely--at times even giddy--date with real life."--The Horn Book, starred review

Praise for My Louisiana Sky

"An unusually auspicious debut."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

"This lyrical first novel brings fresh perspective to the guilt and anger and caring that surround the mentally disabled. All the characters . . . are drawn with warmth but no patronizing reverence."--Booklist, starred review

About the Author:

Kimberly Willis Holt is the author of many award-winning novels for young adults and children, including Dear Hank Williams and When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, winner of a National Book Award for Young People's Literature. Born in Pensacola, Florida, Holt has lived all over the U.S. and the world. She now lives in Texas with her family.

About this edition

• Publisher: Square Fish
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1250144043
• ISBN 13: 9781250144041
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 348