Stand Tall - Hardcover

Bauer, Joan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 039923473X ISBN 13: 9780399234736

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile, 2002

Synopsis

His parents' divorce, his grandfather's amputation, and a recent relationship with a new girl at school is just about enough for Tree, a six-foot tall 7th grader, to handle, but when a flood threatens his home, Tree is forced to find his hidden strength to see himself through it.

About this title

Review:

Tree is 12 years old and the tallest kid ever in his school: 6-foot-3 and still growing. He's a pretty intelligent and sensible guy and he copes by helping people, like his wonderful grandpa, a Vietnam vet who's just had a leg amputated. But still, being tall leads to problems. Coaches always expect him to be good at sports, even though he tries to explain, "I'm not real athletic." When he meets the father of Sophie, the independent-minded new girl at school, he has to show his birth certificate to prove he's not much older. "I'm tall for my age," says Tree. "You're tall for my age," says Sophie's suspicious father. And dance lessons--! Well, they're a nightmare, especially the tango, where he and Sophie have to replace hand-in-hand with hand-in-elbow, and cheek-to-cheek with cheek-to-chest.

But the thing that really makes Tree's life complicated is not his size but his parents' recent divorce. They have joint custody, so Tree has to divide his life, and he's always needing something he left at the other house. Then disaster strikes, and Tree proves that he has courage to match his size.

Joan Bauer's great heart and dry wit is always a delight, especially in Hope Was Here and Rules of the Road. In Stand Tall she gives us wonderfully interesting characters, funny scenes, zingy lines, and a story that has something warm and beautiful to say to kids. (Ages 10 to 14) --Patty Campbell

About the Author:

Joan Bauer is the author of thirteen books for young readers.Joan's first novel, Squashed, won the Delacorte Prize for a First Young Adult Novel. Five novels for young adult readers have followed: Thwonk, Sticks, Rules of the Road (LA Times Book Prize and Golden Kite), Backwater and Hope was Here (Newbery Honor Medal). The Christopher Award was given to both Hope was Here and Close to Famous, which also received the Schneider Family Book Award. Joan is the recipient of numerous state awards voted by readers.

School Library Journal says, “When it comes to creating strong, independent, and funny characters, Bauer is in a class by herself.”
  
Joan Bauer lives in Brooklyn, New York. Visit her at www.joanbauer.com.

About this edition

• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 039923473X
• ISBN 13: 9780399234736
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 212