Flexible Wings - Hardcover

Stamps, Veda

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0996035702 ISBN 13: 9780996035705

Publisher: IMO Books, 2015

Synopsis

Summer Stevenson an eleven-year-old military kid of mixed-race dreams of having a permanent home and swimming in the Olympics one day, just like her idol Olympian Lia Neal. But those things seem out of reach as her parents "the heroes" continually move the family from house to house like boxed-up toys. After their last move, she thought her life would never change, but now the moving truck is idling in front of her house again, this time taking the family to Valencia, a small town in southern California known for its bike trails, roller coasters and great schools. But things aren't so great for Summer. She worries constantly that her fighter-pilot mom could be redeployed at any moment, and she struggles to make new friends, finding herself in humiliating circumstances with her neighbors. Summer sees a glimmer of hope when her parents sign her up for competitive swimming, but she turns out to be the worst swimmer on the team! Inspired by nature and drawing support from friendships both old and new, including those with Grandma "Bachaan," her coaches, and other kids on the swim team, Summer seeks the courage she'll need to tackle life's challenges. It isn't until her little sister is in an accident that Summer truly finds the source of her inner strength and uses it to face her greatest fears head-on.

About this title

About the Author:

As a child growing up in New Orleans, Veda Stamps developed her lifelong love for storytelling while exchanging pen-pal letters with her cousin in California.

Flexible Wings is her first full-length novel, and is inspired by her community’s spirit of volunteerism and the kindness of the parents on her daughter’s neighborhood swim team.

She currently lives with her husband, two daughters, and three dogs in southern California, where she co-owns a community planning firm.

www.vedastamps.com

Review:

BooklistEveryone considers 11-year-old Summer's parents heroes. They're both in the military, having served multiple tours. But Summer hates the instability of military life. Heroes don't make their kids leave home, she thinks as she watches movers load a truck with her family's belongings again. Her frustration grows when she learns that her mother is being redeployed. While Summer loves her dad, little sister, and grandmother, facing so many changes without her mom is unthinkable. Still, despite a rough start, Summer dedicates herself to her new swim team. And while her being African American, Japanese, and a bunch of other stuff elicits rude comments, Summer's growing skill as a swimmer, her generosity, and her intelligence soon win her new friends. Before long, she realizes that moms are not always there every time you want them to be, but that doesn't mean you are alone. This debut is a sensitive, honest exploration of the emotional life of the children of active military personnel. Although Summer frequently behaves with an unnatural maturity for an 11-year-old, Stamps' heartwarming tale is richly diverse, engagingly written, and deeply genuine.--Review, BlueInk Copyright 2015 Booklist

"An entertaining story... Her characters are well-drawn and diverse and her portrait of Summer's Japanese-American grandmother is particularly charming." --Kirkus Reviews"Flexible Wings is a powerful story, with a uniquely contemporary heroine and timeless themes of love, family, friendship, and self-acceptance. It's an excellent choice for upper elementary, middle school, or classrooms and libraries looking for positive, multicultural, realistic fiction. Military and civilian families alike would benefit from seeing the world through Summer's eyes." -Foreword Clarion Review (Starred Review) 
 
"Stamps' heartwarming tale is richly diverse, engagingly written, and deeply genuine." -Blueink Review
 
"Marvelous and very inspirational... swimming events are spectacular and great fun." -Readers' Favorite (Starred Review)
 
"Flexible Wings is an incredible story... accurately reflects the emotional struggles military children face." -Portland Book Review (Starred Review)

About this edition

• Publisher: IMO Books
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0996035702
• ISBN 13: 9780996035705
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 296