Ebb and Flow (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781771388382)

One summer, after a long plane ride and a rotten bad year I went to Grandma Jo's. It was my mother's idea. Jett, what you need is a change of scenery. I think she needed a change of scenery, too. One without me. Because that rotten bad year? That was my fault. Thus begins the poignant story, told in free verse, of eleven-year-old Jett. Last year, Jett and his mother had moved to a new town for a fresh start after his father went to jail. But Jett soon learned that fresh starts aren't all they're cracked up to be. When he befriended a boy with a difficult home life, Jett found himself in a cycle of bad decisions that culminated in the betrayal of a friend - a shameful secret he still hasn't forgiven himself for. Will a summer spent with his unconventional grandmother help Jett find his way to redemption? Writing in artfully crafted free-verse vignettes, Heather Smith uses a deceptively simple style to tell a powerful and emotionally charged story.

The engaging narrative and the mystery of Jett's secret keep the pages turning and will appeal to both reluctant and avid readers. This captivating book offers a terrific opportunity for classroom discussions about the many ways to tell a story and how a small number of carefully chosen words can have a huge impact. It also showcases the positive character traits of empathy resilience, courage, and responsibility.

Author: Heather Smith
ISBN-10: 1771388382
ISBN-13: 9781771388382
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Language: English
Published: 04/03/2018
Pages: 232
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 8.80h x 5.40w x 1.00d

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3.4
Point Value: 2
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 500424 / Ebb & Flow


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 02/15/2018
Publishers Weekly 03/05/2018
School Library Journal 03/01/2018 pg. 106
Foreword 04/26/2018
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2019 - Recommended, Satisfactory