Valerie Sherrard

Curly-headed Jamie bemoans the fact that their mother doesn't celebrate what they're good at - namely, building - like she does for big sister Lynn's drawing talents and big brother Marcus' storytelling. The problem, it transpires, is point of view: when Jamie climbs up to see mom's POV, "it really IS a big mess!" So they invite mom to come "down here," and then she agrees, "You will be a great builder someday." This author/illustrator team understands the power and creativity of childhood imagination - as well as what that sometimes looks like from the outside.… (mais)

Amber's arrival at Little River High School as the new girl coincides
with several petty thefts at the school and two robberies of businesses. It doesn't help that she acts rude and unsocial. Shelby believes along with everyone else that Amber is the culprit but after Amber shares an emotional story about having to leave her family and moving to Little River, Shelby is convinced of her innocence. Her support of Amber turns her into a social pariah at the school but Amber soon solves the mystery: another student has been stealing to support a gambling habit. Rather pedantic and goody-goody.… (mais)