An exquisite second novel from the Newbery Honor author of RULES! TOUCH BLUE, sure as certain, will touch your heart. The state of Maine plans to shut down her island’s schoolhouse, which would force Tess’s family to move to the mainland--and Tess to leave the only home she has ever known. Fortunately, the islanders have a plan too: increase the numbers of students by having several families take in foster children. So now Tess and her family are taking a chance on Aaron, a thirteen-year-old trumpet player who has been bounced from home to home. And Tess needs a plan of her own--and all the luck she can muster. Will Tess’s wish come true or will her luck run out? Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord offers a warm-hearted, humorous, and thoughtful look at what it means to belong--and how lucky we feel when we do. Touch Blue, sure as certain, will touch your heart.
Touch Blue
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Age Range
8+
Release Date
August 01, 2010
ISBN
0545035317
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2 reviews
Touch Blue and Your Wish Will Come True
Overall rating
5.0
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Eleven-year-old Tess Brooks has lived on Bethsaida Island for as long as she can remember. She loves her cute little house looking out at the water, the neighborly feeling she has with everyone, going crabbing with her dad, and basically everything else about her small island off the coast of Maine. But when the state plans to shut down the island school because there arent enough students, Tess family may have to move to the mainland. The plan? Bring in some foster children to increase the school enrollment.
Tess family agrees to adopt a teenaged boy named Aaron. While Tess and her sister hope for the best - a nice brother who likes the same things they like, what meets them instead is a troubled, quiet, judgmental, and awkward thirteen-year-old who has moved around from foster home to foster home. The Brooks family, and the entire island, have to help Aaron accept his new home and learn to trust and love his new family.
If I could write a book, it would be like this one. It is sweet and heartfelt and filled with genuine and real characters. Cynthia Lords Newbery Honor award novel, Rules, is one of my personal favorites, so I was super excited to read Touch Blue. While the characters and storyline are different, the author fills both books with humor, style, relatable characters and great plots. You wont be disappointed.
Tess family agrees to adopt a teenaged boy named Aaron. While Tess and her sister hope for the best - a nice brother who likes the same things they like, what meets them instead is a troubled, quiet, judgmental, and awkward thirteen-year-old who has moved around from foster home to foster home. The Brooks family, and the entire island, have to help Aaron accept his new home and learn to trust and love his new family.
If I could write a book, it would be like this one. It is sweet and heartfelt and filled with genuine and real characters. Cynthia Lords Newbery Honor award novel, Rules, is one of my personal favorites, so I was super excited to read Touch Blue. While the characters and storyline are different, the author fills both books with humor, style, relatable characters and great plots. You wont be disappointed.
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Touching Tale
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Reader reviewed by Julie M. Prince
Several families on the small island where Tess lives have taken in foster children so that their island school has enough kids to remain open. Tess has a new big brother, Aaron, and has high hopes that he'll want to stay with her family. Not only would it mean she wouldn't have to move away from all the people and things she's known her whole life, but she'll also have someone besides her pest of a little sister to hang out with at home.
Great measures must be taken to be sure Aaron wants to stay and put his troubled past behind him.
It's the poignancy that draws in readers of Cynthia Lord's books. But it's more than just that. As with her Newbery Honor winning Rules, description and word-choice are top-notch in this new book, without being the slightest bit overbearing.
Lord has a rare "Judy Blumesque" way of writing from a real kid viewpoint that all middle grade authors strive for but few truly nail.
I like that Tess has two loving parents who are involved without guiding/steering the story. It's clear that Tess is the one calling the shots, for better or worse.
All in all, another beautifully written story from Cynthia Lord...one that sneaks up touches the hearts of her readers.
Off to turn another page....
Several families on the small island where Tess lives have taken in foster children so that their island school has enough kids to remain open. Tess has a new big brother, Aaron, and has high hopes that he'll want to stay with her family. Not only would it mean she wouldn't have to move away from all the people and things she's known her whole life, but she'll also have someone besides her pest of a little sister to hang out with at home.
Great measures must be taken to be sure Aaron wants to stay and put his troubled past behind him.
It's the poignancy that draws in readers of Cynthia Lord's books. But it's more than just that. As with her Newbery Honor winning Rules, description and word-choice are top-notch in this new book, without being the slightest bit overbearing.
Lord has a rare "Judy Blumesque" way of writing from a real kid viewpoint that all middle grade authors strive for but few truly nail.
I like that Tess has two loving parents who are involved without guiding/steering the story. It's clear that Tess is the one calling the shots, for better or worse.
All in all, another beautifully written story from Cynthia Lord...one that sneaks up touches the hearts of her readers.
Off to turn another page....
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