Family, love, loyalty, friendship, and bravery are tested in this small-town narrative. A great novel for any tween learning to find their own voice.” — Booklist
“Heartfelt and triumphant. Cyrus’s journey toward self-acceptance will inspire readers of all ages.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“Help comes from surprising directions in this moving, character-driven tale. With a strong, never-preachy anti-bullying message, this one scores a touchdown.” — Kirkus Reviews
"A heartrending and compassionate read about how standing up for something can help you stand up for yourself." — Lesa Cline-Ransome
"Lindsey Stoddard creates a highly relatable character in Cyrus Olson then puts him on a perfectly paced journey of the heart. Destination: the bravery to reveal his most authentic self to the people he loves." — Leslie Connor, author of The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle
“This exploration of courage has a good strong heart-beat: both in terms of compassion and suspense.” — Newbery award winning author Laura Amy Schlitz
Praise for Right as Rain : ★ “This touching middle grade novel addresses the heartache of loss while also providing an insightful, accessible introduction to privilege, homelessness, and gentrification. Honest, gut-wrenching, and hopeful, this is a story about letting people in and discovering you’re a part of something larger.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
★ “Timely, well-integrated themes, a vibrant setting, and well-drawn, likable characters make this a winner.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Stoddard has a knack for writing strong, feisty protagonists [and] her exploration of grief’s grip on a family rings true and tender. A remarkable job.” — New York Times Book Review
“Stoddard excels at low-key atmosphere and characterization. Rain’s an admirably strong and sensitive heroine, and her approach to a tough transition will appeal to many readers.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Stoddard has written a beautiful story about a resilient girl many readers will be able to relate to, and she gently hits on tough topics, such as death and divorce, in a tender and truthful manner.” — Booklist
PRAISE FOR Just Like Jackie : “I was truly moved by this refreshing story about a scrappy young heroine and her struggle to protect her family.” — Sara Pennypacker, New York Times bestselling author of Pax
A story about scratching the surface (and welcoming what you find below). It’s also a lovely story of acceptance - about what makes a family and how we make our own families, and about embracing our differences.” — Ann M. Martin, New York Times bestselling author of Rain Reign
“As close to perfect as a book for middle-grade children can get! Readers will cheer for Robbie as she comes to terms with the family she has and finds the family she needs.” — Cammie McGovern, author of Just My Luck
“A coming-of-age novel as feisty, funny, and forthright as its protagonist. Robinson overcomes obstacles with wit, grit, and a growing compassion for others, showing us that families are what we make them and happiness is found in the simple gifts we take for granted. A rich, rewarding read.” — John David Anderson, author of Ms. Bixby’s Last Day
★ “Stoddard debuts with a quiet but powerful narrative that gently unpacks Alzheimer’s, centers mental health, and moves through the intimate and intense emotional landscape of family—what seems to break one and what can remake it. Validating, heart-rending, and a deft blend of suffering and inspiration.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
★ “This emotionally honest, sensitively written novel confronts a range of difficult topics and offers an inclusive view of what family can look like.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“A home-run story that will resonate with all who feel they might not fit into the perfect definition of a family.” — School Library Journal
This exploration of courage has a good strong heart-beat: both in terms of compassion and suspense.
Newbery award winning author Laura Amy Schlitz
Stoddard has a knack for writing strong, feisty protagonists [and] her exploration of grief’s grip on a family rings true and tender. A remarkable job.
New York Times Book Review
Stoddard excels at low-key atmosphere and characterization. Rain’s an admirably strong and sensitive heroine, and her approach to a tough transition will appeal to many readers.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Family, love, loyalty, friendship, and bravery are tested in this small-town narrative. A great novel for any tween learning to find their own voice.
"Lindsey Stoddard creates a highly relatable character in Cyrus Olson then puts him on a perfectly paced journey of the heart. Destination: the bravery to reveal his most authentic self to the people he loves."
"A heartrending and compassionate read about how standing up for something can help you stand up for yourself."
A coming-of-age novel as feisty, funny, and forthright as its protagonist. Robinson overcomes obstacles with wit, grit, and a growing compassion for others, showing us that families are what we make them and happiness is found in the simple gifts we take for granted. A rich, rewarding read.
A story about scratching the surface (and welcoming what you find below). It’s also a lovely story of acceptance - about what makes a family and how we make our own families, and about embracing our differences.
Stoddard excels at low-key atmosphere and characterization. Rain’s an admirably strong and sensitive heroine, and her approach to a tough transition will appeal to many readers.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
★ 06/01/2020
Gr 3–7— When a dog is left at the firehouse where his dad works, Cyrus immediately feels a connection. As a baby, he'd been abandoned there, too. The only person who could soothe him was Brooks Olson, the firefighter who ultimately adopted him. His dad has a strict no pets policy and warns Cyrus not to get attached to the dog he named Parker. The undernourished dog has health issues, and after dropping him off at the vet, Dad instructs Cyrus to forget about Parker and focus on middle school football tryouts. The problem is, Cyrus no longer wants to play football. He hasn't found a way to share the news with his dad, who is also a local football legend. He also hasn't figured out how to explain his struggles with reading. This issue becomes even more troubling when Cyrus is instructed to write a book report for language arts class. Balancing these secrets becomes harder, especially when Cyrus begins skipping football practice to volunteer at the shelter where Parker is housed. When Cyrus is caught in a lie, it is time to come clean with his father about who he wants to be. Stoddard has created complex, heartfelt characters. Cyrus's grandmother, who has lost the ability to speak after a stroke, helps Cyrus navigate his struggles with reading and foster a love for music. The passages featuring their unique way of communicating are extraordinary. His burgeoning friendship with nonconformist new student Eduardo, who is bullied by Cyrus's former football friends, is authentically written, and it's a joy to see Cyrus finding his own voice as he defends him. VERDICT This heartfelt and triumphant novel touches on bullying, stereotypes, and learning differences in a straightforward fashion. Cyrus's journey toward self-acceptance will inspire readers of all ages.—Juliet Morefield, Multnomah County Lib., Portland, OR
2020-02-26
His father was a talented football player, so Cyrus believes that if he doesn’t succeed on the gridiron, he won’t live up to his expectations. But last year was the first year of full tackle, and Cyrus hates it. He finds far greater satisfaction helping out alongside some friendly girls at the local animal shelter, where a stray dog that he befriended has been taken. To volunteer there he must lie his way out of practices and deceive his father, too. Meanwhile, he conceals another serious problem: Even though he reads fluently, he comprehends almost nothing. When his two football-star friends begin to unmercifully pick on puny, smart, and unconventional Eduardo, Cyrus is faced with a daunting challenge. He’s convinced he’s not brave, but can he find the courage to stand up to his friends and protect the boy he finds understands him much better than they do? Cyrus is movingly supported by his grandmother, who can no longer speak after a stroke but whose love shines through. Cyrus’ plight believably expands to seem almost insurmountable, but help comes from surprising directions in this moving, character-driven tale. Cyrus and his family seem to be white; Eduardo is Latinx.
With a strong, never-preachy anti-bullying message, this one scores a touchdown. (Fiction. 9-13)
Family, love, loyalty, friendship, and bravery are tested in this small-town narrative. A great novel for any tween learning to find their own voice.
PRAISE FOR Just Like Jackie : “I was truly moved by this refreshing story about a scrappy young heroine and her struggle to protect her family.
As close to perfect as a book for middle-grade children can get! Readers will cheer for Robbie as she comes to terms with the family she has and finds the family she needs.
Stoddard excels at low-key atmosphere and characterization. Rain’s an admirably strong and sensitive heroine, and her approach to a tough transition will appeal to many readers.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Narrator Andrew Eiden captures the personality of Cyrus as he navigates his way through the sixth grade, where changes are around every corner. He feels pressure to succeed at football like his all-star dad, a firefighter who adopted him when he was left at the firehouse as an infant. Now he starts to feel drawn toward other activities like band and volunteering at the local animal shelter. Even his friends are changing. Eiden creates booming and gruff voices for Marcus and Shane, Cyrus’s old football buddies, who start to bully other students. Cyrus must decide whether to stay the course or follow his passions and make new friends along the way. Listeners will enjoy this coming- of-age story about school, friends, football, and family. M.D. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
Narrator Andrew Eiden captures the personality of Cyrus as he navigates his way through the sixth grade, where changes are around every corner. He feels pressure to succeed at football like his all-star dad, a firefighter who adopted him when he was left at the firehouse as an infant. Now he starts to feel drawn toward other activities like band and volunteering at the local animal shelter. Even his friends are changing. Eiden creates booming and gruff voices for Marcus and Shane, Cyrus’s old football buddies, who start to bully other students. Cyrus must decide whether to stay the course or follow his passions and make new friends along the way. Listeners will enjoy this coming- of-age story about school, friends, football, and family. M.D. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
