The Gift of Reading: A New MG Book For the Holidays by Darlene Beck Jacobson.
Today, for your reading pleasure, I offer a gift that would be perfect for a middle-school-er on your holiday list. Take a look at BEAUTY AND BERNICE by Nancy Viau.
A fearless skateboarder
A fearless skateboarder
A quirky princess
Two very different girls…
And the summer that was almost a fairy tale
“I loved Beauty and Bernice SOOOO much! The book is about a
girl called Bernice who loves skateboarding. Her life is going great until
annoying pink 'princess' Odelia moves in across the road. At first, Bernice
pays no attention to her - she grew out of princesses years ago. But there's
more to Odelia than meets the eye... I loved this book because I, like Bernice,
love skateboarding. I found this book hilarious in some parts, but moving and
gripping in others. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves
skateboarding, princesses and mysteries that leave you on the edge of your
seat. I rate this book a definite five stars.”
~ 10-Year-Old Goodreads
Reviewer
"Readers will enjoy their
charming adventure from the skate park to Smile Academy, a summer camp for kids
with Down syndrome. A sweet tale with wisdom and heart." ~ Literary
Soirée
Here's a link to the awesome trailer:
Twelve-year-old skateboarder
Bernice Baransky is comfortable with her skater grunge look—a look she’s had
since she traded in her childhood princess dress-up outfits for a skateboard.
Bernice is the only girl at Porchtown Skate Park who can pop an ollie, ride the
rails, and grind the slabs. She’d love to impress Wyatt Anderson, a skater who
calls her Dude, but that would require actually talking to him, and Bernice
can’t seem to do more than mumble when he’s around.
Bernice wonders if she should
accept help from a new neighbor, the proper and stuffy Odelia, who is desperate
to befriend her. Odelia acts like a fairy-tale princess, and insists on
referring to her fancy notes in ODELIA’S GUIDE TO THE SOCIAL GRACES. Odelia
spouts off ridiculous and hilarious lessons on poise, posture, manners, and
more—even what to do about embarrassing “oopsies” liked spilled soda, burps,
and unexpected gas—and Bernice reluctantly realizes that Odelia knows what
she’s talking about. But Bernice can’t be seen hanging out with a princess at
the skate park, the summer camp where she volunteers, or anywhere around town
because that is just not cool. She’ll accept Odelia’s help, but Odelia better
ditch the gowns and tiaras, or people will talk.
Nancy Viau’s exciting middle
grade takes readers on a thrill ride from the skate park’s half-pipe to Smile
Academy, a summer camp for Down syndrome children. A novel full of adventure
and heart, it asks the question: Can two very different people ever be friends?
The book is not just about
skaters and princesses.
The book is not really a
fairy tale although there are some sneaky references that savvy readers will
pick up on.
The book is jammed packed
with skateboarding moves--all thoroughly researched.
The book features Down
syndrome children, and so few do. Am I right? I wanted to highlight these very
capable, delightful, "Made of Awesome" kids. It's become a favorite
part to teachers and educators of special needs children.
CHILDREN'S BOOK AUTHOR
Other Middle Grade Titles:
Something is Bugging Samantha Hansen (Schiffer Publishing, 2019)
Samantha Hansen Has Rocks in Her Head (Abrams Books, 2008 & Schiffer Publishing, 2019)
Beauty and Bernice (Schiffer Publishing, 2018)
Just One Thing! (Schiffer Publishing, 2016)
This book sounds wonderful.
ReplyDelete