Touch Blue - Hardcover

Lord, Cynthia

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0545035317 ISBN 13: 9780545035316

Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2010

Synopsis

Touch Blue and your wish will come true.
"Why take chances?" says eleven-year-old Tess Brooks. "Especially when it's so easy to let the universe know what you want by touching blue or turning around three times or crossing your fingers."
But Tess is coming to know that it's not always that simple.
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.
Honors for Touch Blue:
2011 Lupine Award, Maine Library Association.
2011 Maine Literary Award, Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance.
2010 Best Books For Children, Christian Science Monitor.
Best Children's Books of 2010, Book Page.
Best Children's Books of the Year (2011), Bank Street College (starred for outstanding merit)Editor's Pick, Adoptive Families magazine.

Nominated for:
Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award (Vermont)
Rhode Island Children's Book Award Rhode Island Teen Book Award
Indian Paintbrush Award (Wyoming)
North Carolina Children's Book Award
The Charlotte Award (New York)
Louisiana Young Readers Choice Award
Horn Toad Tales, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, Texas

About this title

About the Author:

Cynthia Lord is the award-winning author of RULES, a Newbery Honor book (among its many distinctions), as well as the critically acclaimed TOUCH BLUE, released August, 2010. She made her picture book debut with HOT ROD HAMSTER. She lives in Maine with her family. Visit her at cynthialord.com.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

From Touch Blue Glancing back to the ferry, I spy Dad's Red Sox cap in the line of passengers. "There they are!" I wave, but Dad's speaking to the ferry crew, who are unloading boxes, groceries, and bags of mail.

Then I see Aaron. Skinny as a spar, he seems too tall for thirteen, with a pinched-sour mouth and red hair. A redhead on a boat is unlucky! Why didn't Iremember to mention that to his caseworker? His hair falls near to his shoulders, bright as October leaves....

"This is Libby and Tess." Dad holds an old tan suitcase in one hand. "We're all glad you're here, Aaron. Isn't that right, girls?"

"Yes!" Libby shoves by me and throws her arms around Aaron's waist.

Aaron lifts one hand cautiously. He gives Libby a little, quick pat on her back and then steps away from her.

I push my lips into my widest, welcomest smile. "Hi, Aaron!"

He glances at me. His eyes are muddy green, like the sea deep in the coves. "Hi." He says it flatly, like I'm just anybody.

Why'd Natalie pick this boy for us? A fear whispers in me that maybe she didn't have anywhere else to send him.

About this edition

• Publisher: Scholastic Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0545035317
• ISBN 13: 9780545035316
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192