New ebooks From Canadian Indies
Description
Claire's life is a mess.
She's failing math, her depressed mother won't get off the couch, Eric, the boy of her dreams, is dating her nemesis Lucy. While Claire is wishing her life were better, lightning strikes. Soon afterwards, everything changes. With Lucy in the hospital and out of the way, Claire attracts Eric's attention and gets the starring role in the school play. But good fortune has a cost: her newly energized mother reconciles with her deadbeat dad, the dream boy turns out to be a dud and Claire feels terrible guilt about gaining everything Lucy has lost. But how can Claire turn it around when lightning only strikes once?
This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read! Also available in French.
Contributor Notes
Deb Loughead is the author of more than forty books for children and young adults including Wildfire, Payback and Rise of the Zombie Scarecrows in the Orca Currents line. Her books have been translated into seven languages, and her award-winning poetry and adult fiction have appeared in a variety of Canadian publications. Deb has conducted workshops and held readings at schools, festivals and conferences across the country. She lives in Toronto.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 9 to 12
- Grade:
- 4 to 7
- Reading age:
- 9 to 12
Awards
- Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
Editorial Reviews
"Loughead does a wonderful job of adding a little flavor of magic into realistic fiction…The lesson in following your conscience is well presented. Recommended."
— Library Media Connection
"The story line is believable, with an ending that gives hope to readers, especially those whose parents are in a similar situation to Claire's. The novel moves quickly with lots of dialogue between Claire and her parents…This helps reluctant readers keep with the flow of the story and not get bogged down with unnecessary details. Recommended."
— CM: Canadian Review of Materials
"This light-hearted story will interest girls who have been through the emotional drama that is the life of a teen."
— Puget Sound Council for Review of Children's Media
