“This gorgeous summer tale will hit the spot with fans of The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall and Gertie’s Leap to Greatness by Kate Beasley.” -Erin E. 'The hopeful tone and conversational writing style make this an accessible read.'- SLJ 'The emotional impact of this coming-of-age novel lies in its sensitive exploration of Maddie’s changing friendships in the transition from elementary school to junior high.Readers going through the messy transition into adolescence will find hope in the newly strengthened friendships with which Maddie enters seventh grade.'- The Bulletin 'Bishop nails the tween voice: Maddie is a realistic heroine who deals with typical middle-grade problems amidst disaster, and she navigates upheavals with occasional grace and more frequent missteps.'- Booklist Last summer, Quinnen was the star pitcher of her baseball team, the Panthers. Now that she has no choice, is she really ready for it?Ī Kansas National Education Association Reading Circle Selection Read 204 reviews from the world’s largest community for readers. with Avery? For the entire summer? While it buys her some time to prove that Avery made the wrong choice at the dance, it also means he’ll be there to witness her morning breath and her annoying little brother.Īt the dance, all she wanted was to be more grown-up. Kind neighbors open up their home to Maddie’s and Avery’s families, which both excites and horrifies Maddie.

Huddled in the gym, Maddie and her friends are stunned to hear that a tornado has ripped through the other side of town, destroying both Maddie’s and Avery’s homes. Avery asks someone else to dance instead-and then the power goes out. But as the first slow song starts to play, her plans crumble. The night of the sixth-grade dance is supposed to be perfect for Maddie: she’ll wear her perfect new dress, hit the dance floor with her friends, and her crush, Avery, will ask her to dance.

A warm summer novel about a community banding together in the wake of a tornado, perfect for fans of Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Kate Messner, and Jeanne Birdsall.

The Distance To Home by Jenn Bishop