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Overview

Newbery Honor winner Joan Bauer's new novel will touch your heart

When twelve-year-old Sugar's grandfather dies and her gambling father takes off yet again, Sugar and her mother lose their home in Missouri. They head to Chicago for a fresh start, only to discover that fresh starts aren't so easy to come by for the homeless. Nevertheless, Sugar's mother has taught her to be grateful no matter what, so Sugar does her best. With the help of a rescue dog, Shush; a foster family; a supportive teacher; a love of poetry; and her own grace and good humor, Sugar comes to understand that while she can't control the hand life deals her, she can control how she responds.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780670012893
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	09/13/2012
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	1,090,866
Product dimensions:	5.84(w) x 8.36(h) x 0.98(d)
Lexile:	590L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 13 Years

About the Author

Joan Bauer has won critical acclaim for her many books, which include the Newbery Honor Book Hope Was Here as well as Rules of the Road, winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Read an Excerpt

I had a long night. I kept getting out of bed and walking through the house, remembering when we moved here after Reba and Mr. Leeland got divorced the first time. I was in second grade, and King Cole and Reba scraped together all they had and bought this house together. We were so proud to have our own little place. We painted the front door emerald green. It wasn’t the best paint job, but I remember going through that door and feeling my life was fresh and new and all the shadows from Mr. Leeland’s gambling were behind us. King Cole and I painted the wooden fence white and we fixed the cement steps. Reba and I planted peonies in the garden, and she repaired the rips in the screen door with clear nail polish. Mr. Leeland lived with us a few times, but he never stayed for long. He only cared if there was food and beer in the refrigerator, but me, Reba, and King Cole took care of this house with everything we had.
How could we be losing it?

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Close to Famous: Winner of the ALA Schneider Family Book Award, Christopher Award, Judy Lopez Memorial Prize, An Amazon Top Ten Middle Grade Book, a YALSA/ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults pick; Hope Was Here: Newbery Honor Book, Christopher Award, ALA Notable Book; Rules of the Road: Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Golden Kite Award, ALA Notable Book, Best Book for Young Adults.

From the B&N Reads Blog

Page 1 of

Editorial Reviews

Twelve-year-old Sugar Mae Cole has had to act older than her age ever since her beloved grandfather died, and her father abandoned Sugar and her mother, Reba, yet again. But when they lose their house, Sugar must summon additional strength as she and Reba face homelessness. “Before all this happened/ I wasn’t brave like I am now./ I didn’t know I could take care of my mother/ or pee by the side of the road/ and not get my underpants wet,” writes Sugar, a talented poet. She relies on her poetry, along with support from a loving foster family and a favorite teacher, when the stress of their circumstances drives Reba to a serious breakdown. Bauer (Close to Famous) explores a timely issue through the eyes of a resilient girl—the kind of heroine so familiar to Bauer’s fans. Sugar’s anger, fear, humility, and resolve are portrayed with insight and compassion. Bauer also brings moments of levity and hopefulness to the story, which she peppers with a cast of thoughtfully crafted personalities. Ages 10–up. Agent: George Nicholson, Sterling Lord Literistic. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

Through months of homelessness and her mother's breakdown, sixth-grader Sugar Mae Cole and her puppy, Shush, demonstrate what it means to be sweet. Newbery Honor winner Bauer (Hope Was Here, 2000) has created one of her strongest young women yet in the character of Sugar, writer of thank-you notes and poetry, dog-walker, parent-educator and trust-trainer. Her chronological first-person narration works, with notes, emails and poems to document the pain of dealing with an unreliable father, the difficulty of leaving a familiar home and beloved teacher, and the conflicted feelings of a child in a good foster-care situation. Sugar's mother, Reba, has trusted her gambling husband too many times. Can Reba develop the strength to resist him? Luckily, this resilient child has always had the support of other adults: first her grandfather, King Cole; then Mr. B., the sixth-grade teacher who encourages her writing and stays in touch; and, finally, Lexie and Mac, experienced foster parents who provide a safe haven but know when to let go. Sugar's voice is convincing, both as storyteller and young writer; her natural good humor shines through what could be a sad story indeed. Quirky supporting characters--both human and dog--add to its appeal. Sugar, with her natural gift for rubbing down imperfections, will win readers' hearts. (Fiction. 9-13)

Kirkus Reviews

Close to Famous: Winner of the ALA Schneider Family Book Award, Christopher Award, Judy Lopez Memorial Prize, An Amazon Top Ten Middle Grade Book, a YALSA/ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults pick; Hope Was Here: Newbery Honor Book, Christopher Award, ALA Notable Book; Rules of the Road: Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Golden Kite Award, ALA Notable Book, Best Book for Young Adults.

From the Publisher

Bauer has hit a home run with Sugar Mae Cole, who—in spite of homelessness and her mother’s breakdown—meets life’s challenges with grit and determination. Narrator Brittany Pressley gives mom Reba the accent of a Southern belle, with a hint of grit even at her lowest points. When Sugar quotes words of wisdom from grandfather King Cole, Pressley’s gravelly voice reflects the experiences of a life well lived. As Sugar struggles to maintain her natural sense of gratitude and optimism, Pressley’s tone sounds slightly fearful yet amazingly confident and kind. Thanks to her teacher, the extraordinary Mr. Bennett, whose support supplies another lifeline, and Shush, a special dog with a calling, Sugar overcomes overwhelming odds and sadness. N.E.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

MARCH 2017 - AudioFile

Bauer has hit a home run with Sugar Mae Cole, who—in spite of homelessness and her mother’s breakdown—meets life’s challenges with grit and determination. Narrator Brittany Pressley gives mom Reba the accent of a Southern belle, with a hint of grit even at her lowest points. When Sugar quotes words of wisdom from grandfather King Cole, Pressley’s gravelly voice reflects the experiences of a life well lived. As Sugar struggles to maintain her natural sense of gratitude and optimism, Pressley’s tone sounds slightly fearful yet amazingly confident and kind. Thanks to her teacher, the extraordinary Mr. Bennett, whose support supplies another lifeline, and Shush, a special dog with a calling, Sugar overcomes overwhelming odds and sadness. N.E.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

MARCH 2017 - AudioFile