Home Free
I’m part of my school's writing club, which is fantastic, since what I want to be most is a writer. My mother says that girls don’t grow up to be writers, they can only be nurses or teachers. But it’s the 1960s, not the 50s or 40s, and I think she may be wrong. Mrs. Gowdy, who is my writing teacher, says that I have a gift. I’m going to use it to tell you the story of my summer.
It was a summer that was both wonderful and terribly sad. The sad part is still painful for me to write about, but I will because that’s what writers do. My summer began with the most exciting thing that ever happened on our street. A real-life orphan, by the name of Cassandra Jovanovich, moved in right across from my house. All the best stories are about orphans, and because of Cassandra, this story is no exception. Because of her, I got to write a play, and she starred in it. Because of her, I now know that being an orphan is not exciting, in fact it is the opposite.
But you’ll have to read my story to find out why.
Praise & Recognition
"Subtle, wise, and energetic; an honest picture of childhood perceptions."
Quill & Quire"An excellent exploration of the meaning of friendship."
Canadian Teacher Magazine"The brand new 'Gutsy Girls' series from Canadian publisher Second Story Press promises to be lively, funny, engaging and original. Judging by the debut novel Home Free it will truly live up to that expectation!"
Children's Bookwatch"Home Free is a brilliant story that is imaginative and cunning, with a clever storyline that twists and turns with emotion….a thoroughly enjoyable book that had no bland or starchy parts that make you yawn, but instead a rollercoaster of a book that is filled with emotion. I give Sharon Jennings' Home Free 5 stars."
KidswwWrite"Lee’s story will resonate with many young girls today. She shares her story in such an honest way that it’s easy to feel a rapport with her right from the start. The little thrill I would feel when reading a Judy Blume book returned when I read Home Free."
CM Magazine"This sweet story will touch young readers – especially girls who have struggled to fit in. Older readers will be reminded of childhood friends and summers filled with possibilities."
With a Good Book blog"The story showcases many elements of writing while dealing with the difficulties of relationship and death. It is a great book to supplement the writing curriculum."
Kutztown University Book Review"A brilliant story that is imaginative and cunning, with a clever storyline that twists and turns with emotion... Home Free is a thoroughly enjoyable book that had no bland or starchy parts that make you yawn, but instead a rollercoaster of a book that is filled with emotion."
Canadian Children's Book News"Precocious and smart, a chatterbox, misunderstood by a lot of the adults in her life except a beloved teacher, Lee's a completely loveable character… A fun and engaging read from start to finish."
New Pages.com"Jennings avoid[s] sounding didactic as [she] paint[s] [the] picture of the conditions girls faced in the [...] 1960s. And [she] manage[s] to leave readers with a sense of hope and empowerment."
Canadian Literature"It’s impossible to avoid the Anne-ish-ness of this sweet, bookish tale [...] There is, however, an element of tragedy in the story that surprised me, although, in hindsight, it fits perfectly with the influence of L.M. Montgomery’s stories."
Buried in PrintSilver Birch Award, Ontario Library Association's Forest of Reading Program 2011 - Short-listed
Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Awards 2011 - Short-listed
TD Canadian Children's Literature Award 2010 - Short-listed
Governor General’s Awards – Children’s Literature, Text 2009 - Short-listed
ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Award 2009 - Short-listed
Details
Publication Date: March 1, 2009
Reading Age: 9 - 12
Genre: Children's Fiction, Middle Grade
Product Format: Paperback
Pages: 154
ISBN: 978-1-897187-55-5
Weight: 140
About the Author
Sharon Jennings
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