Circle of Secrets - Hardcover

Little, Kimberley Griffiths

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 054516561X ISBN 13: 9780545165617

Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2011

Synopsis

Critically acclaimed author Kimberley Griffiths Little weaves a haunting story of friendship and family and the power of faith, once again set against the lush backdrop of the Lousiana bayou.

After her mother walked out on Shelby Jayne and her dad, Shelby thought she'd never speak to her mamma again. But with her dad leaving the country for work, it turns out she doesn't have a choice: Shelby has to move back into her mamma's house, deep in the heart of the Louisiana bayou.

Her new classmates tease and torment her, so Shelby's relieved to finally find a friend in Gwen, a mysterious girl who lives alone on the bayou. But Shelby can't help wondering if Gwen has something to do with the puzzling messages she finds hidden in the blue bottle tree behind her house. The only person who might be able to explain is her mamma -- but Shelby's not ready to ask. Not yet. It may take a brush with something from the beyond to help Shelby see that the power to put her own ghosts to rest is within her reach.

Kimberley Griffiths Little's haunting and powerful tale brings one girl's attempt to grapple with family, friendship, and forgiveness to beautiful, vivid life.

About this title

About the Author

Kimberley Griffiths Little is the author of THE HEALING SPELL and CIRCLE OF SECRETS, as well as dozens of short stories that have appeared in numerous publications, and the novels BREAKAWAY, ENCHANTED RUNNER, and THE LAST SNAKE RUNNER. She is the winner of the Southwest Book Award. Kimberley lives near the banks of the Rio Grande in New Mexico in a solar adobe house with her husband and their three sons.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

From Circle of Secrets

The bedroom grows stuffy so I jump out of bed to crack open the window.

I can't believe my eyes when I see the figure of a girl move out from behind the blue bottle tree. She's wearing shorts and a blouse and she's barefoot.

A moment later, she starts dancing under the silvery half moon, whirling in circles, leaping around the yard.

Who is that?

I press my nose against the cool glass and the girl stops dancing and looks straight up at me. I freeze, not daring to breathe. We stare at each other and then she disappears behind the trunk again.

The mysterious shadowy girl looked at me, saw me. Watched me!

I can hardly gulp down a decent breath, but I have the crazy notion to run right out the backdoor in my nightgown.

There's a girl out there, and I get the strangest feeling that she's waiting for me.

About this edition

• Publisher: Scholastic Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 054516561X
• ISBN 13: 9780545165617
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 336