As Simple as It Seems
Verbena Colter knows she's bad news.
Trouble from the get-go. How could she not be, with parents like hers? Her mother practically pickled her before she was even born, leaving Verbie to struggle with the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome. And her father was just plain mean. Verbie wishes she could be somebody, anybody other than who she is. Enter Pooch, a flatlander boy visiting for the summer. When Pooch and his mom rent the house next door, Verbie takes the opportunity to be someone else entirely. And what starts out as a game leads Verbie into a surprising and heartwarming journey of self-discovery.
Another gem from the author of So B. It.
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Become an affiliateSarah Weeks has written more than fifty books for young readers. Some of her picture books include Mrs. McNosh Hangs Up Her Wash, Sophie Peterman Tells the Truth!, and Glamourpuss. Her bestselling novel, So B. It, is a feature-length film starring Alfre Woodard and Talitha Bateman. Ms. Weeks visits thousands of students in elementary and middle schools across the country every year. She is also an adjunct professor in the prestigious MFA Writing for Children and Young Adults program at the New School. Sarah lives in Nyack, New York, with her husband, Jim Fyfe, and their dog, Mia. You can visit her online at sarahweeks.com.
"There are many passages that could jump-start a booktalk and get this into kids' hands." -- School Library Journal
"Life and death weave together in strange ways one summer for twelve year old Verbena Colter. Sarah Weeks tells her story with warmth, grace, and deep compassion. A stunning novel about life's many complications and how we struggle to grow up, into ourselves." -- Brian Selznick, author and Caldecott winning illustrator of THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET
"Verbena is a character you will not want to leave. An endearing story, heartfelt, and buoyant." -- Pam Munoz Ryan, author of ESPERANZA RISING
"Young readers will recognize their struggles to grow and understand their own lives, while laughing, and crying along the way. Nothing simple here; just fine writing." -- Avi, Newbery Medal-winning author of CRISPIN: THE CROSS OF LEAD